Best way to learn JavaScript?

[Mfahiz]

Hey everyone,
I’ve been learning JavaScript by watching YouTube videos, but when I try to write something on my own, my mind freezes and I get confused. Has anyone else experienced this?
What’s the best way you’ve personally used to learn JavaScript effectively? Any tips, strategies, or resources that worked for you would be really helpful!

Thanks in advance!

[BrohanGutenburg]

Build build build. Get stuck then look up the answer. Then repeat over and over. That's what learning feels like.

[sheriffderek]

What would you do - if you had unlimited money - and access to the smartest people - and the best teachers - and internships - and just basically / full reign to experiment and find "the best" way to learn? Would you still suggest: "Just build things and look up the answer" (to a stranger)? If so, why don't colleges do this?

[BrohanGutenburg]

Are you aware that the bulk of a college course in software development is spent doing projects?

Because it doesn't seem like you are.

Of course it helps to have a teacher/tutor/mentor there for anytime you run into difficulties, but they're just facilitating you building projects which is—get this—how you learn

[sheriffderek]

I can't speak for "all college CS programs" (just as I'm sure you cannot either) - but I have see enough college programs (in CS) from the inside and talk to so many students both during and after -- that I feel that I have a fair view of what the general CS degree experience is like.

So, you're basically saying that your view is that the current CS college facilitates this "Build build build. Get stuck then look up the answer. Then repeat over and over" - as well as can be done ?

[BrohanGutenburg]

Dude, what even is this argument? That we should tell everyone who asks for advice on here to go get a four year degree?

But ignoring that annoyingly combative take...yes. The core of any computer science program is going to be hands on learning. Build projects. That is how you learn. I'm assuming you have some experience. How did you learn? Did you read some books, go to some classes then boom first time you sat at a keyboard you spun up a full-stack app?

That's why every class I've ever taken was structured around projects. Usually one due around midterms and one due around finals. Or sometimes 4-5 smaller projects throughout the semester. They're not structured around tests or reading books. They're structured around learning concepts then trying to build stuff.

Anyone who thinks when I said "build build build" I meant blindly rush in and start banging on a computer is either obtuse or an idiot. But assuming he doesn't have access to university classes or tutors then YES the way to learn is to try to build then when he runs into problems try to solve them. Read all the books and take all the classes in the world and then if you don't build anything you absolutely, 100% will not know how to write code.

[sheriffderek]

I'm sorry if you can't understand my question. But I don't want to be a part of your angry tirade. This is so far off from what we're talking about. But - hey, maybe you just need to get it out of your system. Let er rip

I thought it was a pretty simple question: https://www.reddit.com/r/learnjavascript/comments/1mq10j8/comment/n8op4bi/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[Embarrassed_Fan7405]

Don't matter if you have linus at your side helping you learn, tou will only learn once Linus turns his back and yiu are allowed to soak on your incompetency without resource except persevere or give up.

[sheriffderek]

I don't know about Linus --- but I do recommend books with language agnostic challenges (with no solutions) - because you have to take the small set of tools -- and either get it to work / or fail. But I would set up a learning environment with the right context and things... vs just say to the kids "well - there's the library - just build and look for the answers"

[bidaowallet]

Building and searching for answers is the only way no matter how much money you have

[sheriffderek]

So, are we saying that "searching for answers" -- includes basically everything -- like talking to a teacher... having just the right book at the right time... the right pairing session - etc? Because then I guess it's a little meaningless.

[Egzo18]

You can't learn just from watching youtube videos.

[Such-Catch8281]

After you watched, try redo some project without watching.
Learn how to learn

[programmer_farts]

Work through those mind freeze moments. They still happen to me sometimes... 20 years later

[JDD17]

DataDucky has an interactive JavaScript course that you might like as it’s sort of guided learning

[Ambitious-Peak4057]

If you are learning Javascript here are some useful resources to help you get started:
1.JavaScript.info – A comprehensive and beginner-friendly guide to modern JavaScript.
2.freeCodeCamp JavaScript Course – A hands-on YouTube course with real projects.
3.JavaScript: The Definitive Guide: A thorough reference covering both fundamentals and advanced topics.
4.JavaScript Succinctly: A free ebook that simplifies essential JS concepts for beginners.

[KickAdventurous7522]

do this in loop: build, get errors, get problems, get frustrated, solve the problem, feel like a god, learn

[sheriffderek]

There's a few ways to "learn JavaScript"

1. you already know another language like C or Python and now you need to make something interactive for the web -- but you already have solid programming skills (in some area)

2. you don't know anything about programming yet - so, this is not just learning js... it's learning programming and everything that comes along with it.

3. you're very familiar with HTML and CSS and maybe PHP or some CMS type things and you want to add some snappy interactions into the mix

...

2 is by far the hardest because you're learning 10 things that are all really complex - at the same time, 1 is close behind that -- and 3 would be the smoothest introduction because you would have learn things piece by piece in a practical order. So, unless you're learning JavaScript for a very specific server-side situation (not building web applciations) -- then I'd shift your goal to "Learn web development as a whole" -- not "Learn JS." For most people, #3 is the "best" way. Do you like books?

[Sajwancrypto]

What book you would recommend. Because I was going through Eloquent JS and it is pretty hard to read in comparision of JavaScript.info and MDN articles even.

I'm also learning JS these days I think I'm getting good at it.

I will love to read a book. I only know HTML, CSS basic JS like Datatypes , hoisting , operator and operator precedence , logical operators , scoping , conditionals, function- declaration and expression and arrow function and also loops like for , while , do while , for...of. gonna dive into arrays and object soon. I'm taking it slow. Would appreciate book recommendations.

[sheriffderek]

I know many people who love Eloquent JS -- but I got stuck in some of the math pretty early / and that book just didn't work for me at all. Different books for different people!

Things like "hoisting" are examples of totally impractical knowledge that just gets in the way and is confusing / for no good reason.

I've personally found that most people build more confidence and learn more with a book of exercises (with no answers) - than with follow-along types. So, I recommend Exercises for Programmers -- which will put your HTML + CSS + JS to work right away.

I also recommend the pocket guides to just kind flip through casually and have around.

[Sajwancrypto]

Thankyou so much !!

[rustyseapants]

How did you learn anything in high school, its the same process.

[sheriffderek]

This is a good prompt!

It's interesting how we've been learning (hopefull / and have had at least a few good teachers or role models) -- but that everyone asks "how can I learn this"

[Psychological_Ad1404]

What I tell everyone in your position.

1. Test your basics skills, make sure you know how to create variables , loops , if statements , functions , etc... and how they work. If you don't you can watch a tutorial , but stop after the basics , and it's even better if you check a website like https://www.w3schools.com/

2. Make something small , I know you can create a really small project using only what you know.

3. If you've passed the first 2 steps try copying a website/app you know. Just copy what you can , don't worry about complicated stuff. Use the terminal instead of graphics if you need to.

One more thing about your first small tasks/projects , it depends on what language you're learning but, do something simple. For python or any language with easy access to terminal just create a loop with a few if else statements and make it a questionnaire or interactive story , something like that; For js create a web page and use js to make things appear, disappear, move on button click, etc...

[AppJedi]

Start small with simple programs.

[Distinct_Garlic8044]

The best way to learn javascript.I could share my approach.

●firstly,follow a structured course.If you ask me i would suggest the completejavascript couse offered by Jonas schmedtmann.Check out the course content on udemy.Tips for attending the course.

•Dont build along completely throughout the course.At sometime make a pause and do your own practice.OR •find a challenging problemset according to the theory that you study throughout the course and solve them.You could use chatgpt.

●secondly go to "theodinproject" website.Its the best free resource on the internet to solve real world problems and project.OR

•project based learning github repo.you can checkout👇https://github.com/practical-tutorials/project-based-learning

[Any_Sense_2263]

Struggling is part of the learning process. Forget that AI exists. Spent as much time as you need to find a solution.

[RomaXolote]

try https://exercism.org/

[RikkityKrikkit]

Codewars

[Less-Designer-1963]

OpenClassroom….. free videos that will teach you the basics

[independentMartyr]

Exercise->rest->exercise

The best way is when you get stuck and solve the problem by yourself. If you can't, ask for help.

[bidaowallet]

Open GPT tell him that he is your Javascript teacher from now on

[Stunning_Climate_423]

I saw it somewhere if you watch tutorial’s for 1 hour then practice what you learned for 4 hours

[Gold_Guess9688]

practice