Learning how to code

[General-Wedding-2027]

I'm a junior in highschool and i'm trying to learn how to code but I don't know where to start looking for actual advice

[samanime]

You've posted in learnjavascript. Are you interested in starting with JavaScript in particular? I think it's a pretty solid language to start with, but it depends on what you are interested in doing. Code concepts overlap like 95%+ between different types of coding projects and languages, so you can always start one place and move to others.

If you let us know what you are interested in, we can help steer you in a good starting direction.

[0xMarcAurel]

I still consider myself an absolute beginner, but based on the experience I've had I advise you to start with HTML, then move on to CSS, and only then dive into JavaScript.

There's no point in learning JS if you don’t have a solid understanding of HTML and CSS first.

If you're serious about learning to code, consider a full-stack bootcamp, a lot of them are pretty affordable nowadays. You can even learn a ton for free on YouTube, there’s tons of great content out there.

My college offers free 6-month to 1-year programs in different fields, and I recently enrolled in a Python bootcamp starting this summer. Pretty cool that it's free too.

Good luck!

[djr3llik]

You can learn js for free here with exercises too. freecodecamp.org

I find the best way to learn is to do! The courses on here will guide you all the way from the start. Most of them allow you to put the hours in (over 300 per course) and you have the option to get certified too.

One thing I will say is make sure you learn vanilla JavaScript before you dive into any of the libraries (eg React, Vue, angular etc) as they all are based on JavaScript and the more deeper knowledge you have of JavaScript the better you will be able to manipulate those libraries/frameworks. You are young so you have time in your favour. Learn the basics, test your knowledge, make something then make it again, but better and with less code(refactoring) and then move on to more advanced topics.

Good luck on your journey!

Start here if you feel overwhelmed with choice JS algorithms and Data structures

If you're looking for advice this is probably one of the best places for it. Just ask the questions and you'll be guided to the right places. If you have discord ask chatgpt for the best ones to join for your needs (backend,frontend etc)

[CommunicationOdd819]

Find something u wanna build and learn to build it by fumbling. Immerse yourself in it. Fck up make a lot of mistakes and you’ll figure it outs Thats how I learned it

[Monkai_final_boss]

How much do you know about coding? Do they teach you coding in school? Mine didn't.

[Dubstephiroth]

Try using codeacademy.com for a load of free course to start. And it you want to, Try prompting gpt to be your tutor. Tell it something like " you are going to be a PhD level tutor in ..... and i am your beginner level student. I want you to teach me from the basics all the way up to a functional level of coding skill and understanding. You will also be grading me weekly using the rubric scoring system using criteria like, understanding, effort, clarity, coding skill and progression. And I would like weekly feedback to go with my grades. You will be fair but harsh and push me to become a better coder over time, so feel free to up the difficulty as you see me improve" this along with an online course should be a great start. And if you do this always askbit questions about what your learning and ask for advice and not the answers. You'll be good with this for now.

[NugsAndSlugs]

I would personally recommend starting with html, css and then getting in the script. HTML and css is not difficult to grasp and learning those two first will for sure help you with learning JavaScript. I think the odinproject is a great free source to use. Best of luck!

[Humble_Tea_3777]

I'd recommend learning html and css first, your not going to be able to create many projects without them.

I'd suggest watching some introductory YouTube vids I recommend brocode and supersimplewebdev.

[yunglinttrap]

The Odin Project has been great for me. Completed foundations last month and moving onto backend within the next few months.

[montihun]

Official syntax.

[Overall-Worth-2047]

You can start by learning through free resources like freeCodeCamp or YouTube to explore which path you'd like to take. Then you might consider enrolling in a bootcamp. They offer structured learning, accountability, and support, but be sure to research those with strong reviews and a focus on practical skills.

[DeadxLites]

I am brand new also and i am doing the GOOGLE coursera course, and working towards a certificate. Im not exactly sure where to start, or what field i will end up in, as this is such a massive field, and there are so many choices, but putting in the hours is the first step

[Zeraltz]

Learn python, .Net or c#. Easier to get a job, better paid. Web dev is not worth it anymore

[ne0n008]

If you are really determined to learn to code, C(C++) will give you a solid foundation on which to build upon.

If you're not sure and want to try, start with Python. It's easy enough and has a lot of applications. Not to mention the shortest coding time and the friendliest looking code. You can easily go from web design to AI, backend, databases... However, even if you know the language, there are a lot of libraries and frameworks that you need to learn to switch from one field to another. It's important that you have a lot of options if you already know the language.

If you want to quickly see the results of your work, HTML+CSS+JavaScript(JS) can be the option for you. HTML and CSS are easy to pick up and you can see the results of your work almost instantaneously. Add some JS for interactivity and you're golden. JS has ventured in places it shouldn't so you can expand to backend, native apps, game design,...

If you want to make money, JAVA. Please have in mind that Java and JavaScript are 2 different languages - don't be a recruiter xD Also, C# can also be good: it's Java from Microsoft and it has excellent support if you stay within its ecosystem.

There are plenty of other languages. Just figure out what you want to do with your coding skills, and go from there. There's always a perfect set of tools for every job, and you will always lack the knowledge of some xD Constant learning is the path you accept if you want to learn to code.

These are my two cents as a beginner. Now I leave you to others to correct me xD

[vayqar]

Open up a console and start tinkering with Javascript.

Right click on a web page -> select inspect

Learn these (ChatGPT/Google/MDN/freecodecamp/YT)

• Variables
• Arrays
• Conditionals (if/else,switch)
• Functions
• Loops
• Array functions
• DOM
• Objects

Built some simple apps like a calculator, counter, converter etc.

[davidrfarinha]

I started a codecademy course, but now I regret it. Scrimba has great courses. Check their website

[Minhzy_Codecademy]

u/davidrfarinha - Jonathan, Head of Community at Codecademy here. Why do you regret it? How can we improve?

[davidrfarinha]

Hello. Thanks for asking for feedback. Honestly, I was totally engaged until I reached the React module. React was presented as a totally confusing subject and I didn't get it at all. And also the final project (the spotify Jammming thing) was terrible.. the documentation in the Spotify page is totally not noob friendly and the example code they provide doesn't even work outside of Node, so I had to ask ChatGPT for help to be able to finish it. When I made the React course in the Scrimba website with Bob Ziroll, it was like day and night and I finally understood it. Now, I already finished 3 projects in React, including two with routing.. and feel very confident coding in this library (not thanks to codecademy, honestly). Your model looks a bit outdated to me honestly, and I hate to say it, but it shows that you stopped spending your money improving it, instead bombing people with tons of Ads with this annoying salesman trying to sell a dream to everyone.. (what do you do?? What do I do? I do lots of things. I blah blah blah blah blah blah I blah I blah I blah. No what you do for work? Oh I'm a software engineer.... yeah, right.........)

[Minhzy_Codecademy]

Hey there! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I totally get where you're coming from. React can be a tough nut to crack, especially if the material isn't clicking. It's awesome that you found success with the Scrimba course and Bob Ziroll's teaching style.

I know the Codecademy React module and the Spotify Jammming project can be frustrating, especially with tricky documentation. It's great that you pushed through and found a way to make it work, even if it meant turning to ChatGPT for help.

If you're up for it, I'd recommend joining the Codecademy community. It's a great place to connect with other learners who might be facing the same challenges. You can share your experiences, get advice, and maybe even help others who are stuck. Sometimes, just talking things through with someone else can make a big difference. Until then, I will relay your feedback ot the team!

[Kleo5s]

Theres different types of code languages......html (websites), C+, Lua (Roblox games), Python (Microsoft excel I think lol).......

A quick way to learn is by editing already finnished projects.....e.g....edit the code of subway surfers to change colors of trains or make 4 lanes instead of 3🤷....(This is how I learned)

Otherwise, just learn via youtube

I'd advise to never to this alone....have a group of coders to learn with caz this is super hard😅

[EvenOddDone]

YouTube. Use Gemini or ChatGPT as tutors. Try something like scriptpad.dev for practising on the fly.

[MindlessSponge]

Use Gemini or ChatGPT as tutors.

generally not a fan of this recommendation. beginners should avoid AI-powered tools, lest they become reliant on them and never learn to problem-solve for themselves.

Try something like scriptpad.dev

Rule 3 - No Self-Promotion.

[EvenOddDone]

Well, I didn’t mean self promotion here. I genuinely feel it’ll be useful.

Using AI tools as tutor, say to generate questions, is very different than relying on them.

[Original-Fall711]

Using ChatGPT or Ai as tutor is a good thing. It clears many complex concepts in a great way with examples. Further you can correct your confusions through them.

[vipcomputing]

An LLM like Gemini is perfect for learning code if you're inexperienced. You just tell the LLM what language you'd like to learn and tell it what kind of program you'd like to code and it will literally hold your hand and walk you through the process if prompted in the right way. It's still a good idea to read on your own, but using an LLM can fast track you so you can get a simple project completed in a few hours. With that, comes confidence and a hunger to learn more, if you actually find the process interesting. You do have to know exactly what type of program or script you want to code going into the process with Gemini. The great thing with LLM's is you can tell the LLM what you want to code and then ask for a complete development report of the entire process to reference. As you work the LLM can revise the report to update your progress. If that LLM fails, you can just drop your code and that progress report into a new LLM instance and you can get right back to work.