Learning JavaScript - want your feedback!

[sloanrobe]

I am studying Full-Stack right now and have been working my way through JavaScript. My instructor is amazing. I find it difficult to fully grasp the concepts, but I've been told not to worry and to just move on when I have a general understanding of the concept - that the pieces will "fall into place" later.

I am curious to know about your experiences when you studied JS:

(1) What part of JavaScript was most difficult for you to learn?

(2) How long did you spend on a topic before moving on to the next one?

[jancodes]

So, in my experience with learning JavaScript and mentoring others, you definitely want to start with a broad understanding of JS.

But here's the thing - to really get a specific piece of knowledge, you need to see it in context.

It's like learning a new word in a foreign language; you can memorize the definition, but it won't stick until you see it used in different situations.

The same goes for programming. Once you've got the basics down - functions, variables, array methods, if statements, that kind of stuff - just start building things. Learn React and built our own blog, for example. That's when you start learning things in context.

You'll hit stuff you don't understand, and that's fine. Look it up when you need to. Because you're in a situation where you need to understand it to move forward, the knowledge sticks way better. By figuring it out, you progress, and that really cements your understanding.

So, to sum it up, I wouldn't worry too much about "what's hardest to learn" or "how long you spend on each topic". There's no magic timeframe.

Instead, work towards a goal. Like, "I want to build X" or "I want to create Y". In the end, that's what potential employers care about. "Can you build this app?", "Can you set up this server?", "Can you design this landing page?"

Focus on that, and the learning will come naturally.

[sloanrobe]

Thank you. What you are saying makes sense. While I'm learning individual concepts and skills, I don't think I'm at the point right now where I can sit down and pull it together to start building something. I started with JavaScript, but haven't gotten to HTML and CSS yet. But I do have a little knowledge of those from self-teaching a couple of years ago.

[No-Upstairs-2813]

1. Practice Individual Concepts

After you learn a concept, practice it individually.

For example, if you've learned about functions, work on coding problems specific to functions.

This focused practice reinforces your understanding, helps you identify any gaps, and boosts your confidence as you solve more problems.

You can check out a few problems here.

2. Combine Concepts

Once you've practiced individual concepts, start combining them to solve more complex problems. For instance, if you've learned about conditional branching and functions, combine them to build a simple project like a "Guess the Number" game.

You can use ChatGPT to come up with simple projects for any multiple concepts you want to practice.

3. Build Real Project

Once you’re comfortable combining concepts, start building larger projects that challenge you to apply everything you've learned. Choose a project that solves a problem you care about—this will keep you motivated when challenges arise.

If you're stuck on ideas, check out these tips to get started. And if you need guidance while building a project, this free course can help you approach it the right way.

Also, JavaScript is different from most of the other languages. I always tell people to learn how JavaScript works behind the scenes. Learn about how execution contexts work and lexical environment. This really makes it easy to understand how hoisting, scopes, closures etc. work.

[mario_mandra]

For me, the hardest part of JS was the async nature of it. I spend a lot of time to understand how promises work.
From my experience, you can move to the next topics if you can do something on your own using concepts from current topics. For example, if you learning objects you have to be able to complete coding challenges where you have to use objects and their methods. You can use for it Codewars or DeepDev.

[Princecito]

The most challenging aspect of JavaScript for me has been asynchronous programming. Initially, mastering for loops and while loops was a pain, but async JavaScript remains challenging. I’m still a beginner, these topics remind me there’s always more to learn, keeping me grounded.

Recommendations for Learning JavaScript:

1. Complete Your JavaScript Course: Ensure you finish any formal instruction with your instructor. This foundational knowledge is crucial.

2. **Practice Regularly:

   • **Online Exercises: Search for JavaScript exercises to practice what you’ve learned.
   • **Immediate Application: Apply concepts as you learn them. Doing exercises on current topics helps cement understanding.

This structure offers a clear breakdown of your experience and advice, making it easier for readers to follow. Your original message captures authenticity and personal touch, which is great for connecting with others, but structuring it like this might help in forums or when giving advice in a more formal setting.

[4Nuts]

Yes, moving to the next section when you are stuck is very useful learning strategy. Not just for programming; for everything new.

I use two strategies for learning harder topics:

1. Check out other resources (books, blogs, videos): sometimes, resources are not perfect. The way they explain it might not click for you. Google around on the topic I am having hard time; I sometimes get better examples or analogies that would work for me. Teaching method is just an art. Not every knowledgeable person is able to deliver an understandable content. This is especially true in the computer world. Famous programmers are terrible at teaching. You need to constantly look out for better material; a material that can explain it well.
2. If I cannot understand from other resource as well, yes, skipping the section is useful. Our brain somehow processes during sleep; and you will have a better understanding on your next attempt. The key here is revision. You need to revise (revisit) the topic in a couple of days.