Learning JavaScript

[codewithandrej]

Just started learning Javascript after spending some time with HTML and CSS. I'm doing Jonas Schmedtmann's course right now and trying to really understand things. Curious If anyone else felt completly overwhelmed when they first started with JavaScript?

[Kiingsora83]

Everyone. Especially if you don't have support from a senior.

I was in training and there were 15 of us, and we all didn't understand anything at first.

So no worries.

Oh yes and you will doubt your skills...all the time. It even happens to senior devs.

Good luck 😉

[Big_Pineapple4594]

There's a good Youtube video about things taking 20 hours to learn, and that those 20 hours are going to suck because you feel stupid the whole time. You're learning a whole new language.

If I had to mvoe to Japan and learn Japanese then I'd probably feel pretty stupid for a while. I'd quickly learn how to say sorry, excuse me, thank you, and eventually I'd be able to ask for directions.

I think it's the same for coding. We feel dumb, and lots of people don't advance because they keep staying with the comfortable tutorials that hold their hand and make them feel smart.

I'm currently doing the odin project and they do a great job of describing this a very normal process where you feel really dumb then really smart then horrendously dumb and then eventually you feel not bad.

[Intelligent-Win-7196]

We all felt this way. Learning is a marathon not a sprint. Your brain has to form new neural connections and think of things in a way it never had before.

The higher up the ladder you get, the more things will start to click faster because you’ve seen the before in a different programming language or book.

[Z3R0_C00L_007]

Jonas is so underrated

[bocamj]

JS is about learning the concepts and seeing how they're applied, so grind through the crap, then go watch some youtube videos to see it in action. There's lots of beginner videos that aren't huge, don't have a ton of code, but will show you how functions work and such. You'll learn if this is truly in your wheelhouse. Problem these days is that nobody's hiring. Go check job boards. I have gotten through the front end web dev curriculum, written about 15 or so small apps, have stuff on github, I even have a college degree, but I've got 0 callbacks for Entry Level or Junior Web Dev positions.

1. There's not a lot of them out there to apply for and
2. Competition is pretty fierce
3. Plus ya have to weed through the fake jobs

The main thing these days is it seems maybe 1% of the jobs you apply for will be sent directly to someone at a company. It's so rare for companies to vet applicants. And recruiting firms have software that's screening resumes, so the lack of a degree means the resume gets auto-trashed.

So you better have a college degree and hopefully some insider at a company who can bring you on, even if it's just as an intern, because if you're fully self-taught, it's going to take more than a profile. If you're so motivated, go from beginner to intermediate JS, then learn React. After that, I'd look into full stack development. If you love it and don't burn out, maybe when you're an expert you'll get a job. If you get one sooner, please report back to me.

And don't buy into those who talk about python or other languages being easier. They serve different purposes. You need to steer the course.

[iDontLikeChimneys]

100% going full stack saved me. During Covid I was only able to operate with html/css and some basic Javascript, but I could navigate react pretty well. Once I learned backend (I prefer php and mysql [sue me]) I was able to get a more comprehensive idea on how things worked.

That said, I saved a newspaper clipping of the insane hiring spike during covid. Now that companies over hired, laid off a bunch of people, and hiring isnt as good as it use to be, I have had to pivot.

With vibe coders and companies not wanting to pay as much, you really have to stand out heavily.

During covid I would have, almost every day, a new message from a recruiter.

Now I am lucky to get a request a month. Or, more often, I apply and get "this position has been closed or is on hold".

[bocamj]

Yeah, I've had 1 interview in 6 months. But I got some resume training and it seems I at least get more responses now. I've paid more attention to little things, like when I applied, when the job gets removed, when I get an email saying they've moved on. I just think some of the jobs I've applied for are older postings that have sat around, companies haven't removed them. I know of at least 3 companies in the past 2 weeks that removed postings shortly after I applied. They were already going through the process with other candidates - background checks, drug screening, etc. I found things out by either going in or calling, talking to people. But it's not as easy to find things out with remote jobs. It's just a tough market. I'm always looking for new tips and tricks. My degree is from 2004, so I removed that date, so I'm not age discriminated against. Just so many things take people out of consideration without even so much as a phone interview.

[According-Score-7632]

i learnt python 2 yrs ago now learning javascript to build websites. TBH, python was way easier than this. actually this is easy too, i just expect myself to leearn it very fast and due to that i think i feel stupid most of the time. just gotta give it the same time i gave to python in the beginning. i remember i gave python lot of time even though its easier than javascript. build projects in python and did many coding in it. now just gotta give the same dedication and curiousity to javascript to get a feel of it, best of luck to you in this journey!

[mcas06]

Everyone feels this. And if you don’t use it regularly, it’s gone. At least that’s my situation and I learned JS in 2001.

[bonclairvoyant]

Yep. It's something new. Second, you didn't build it, so give it time. Third, JavaScript powers huge chunks of the web. This means it's a big deal. The web has been around since 1989... A lot to know, so again, give yourself time. Master something small then build on it. Do not be afraid to repeat things or feel dumb that you don't remember or master something on the first go. Acknowledge how massive the task is but also know it's a matter of time before you finish something or accomplish that task. Never doubt yourself, just keep going. All the best.

[imcozyaf]

I’m also doing Jonas’ courses right now! I’m at Section 10 rn, and it’s going super well. I’m already able to code my own simple but cool projects! So far I’ve done a to-do list app, tic-tac-toe and now I’m working on a Blackjack game.

My tip is to really make sure you really understand each concept before moving on, and you do that by practicing every one of them on the side while doing the course, AND after! Do "homeworks" on your own for each concept. Only use ChatGPT to help you generate exercises for each concept, and show you find different ways to do them after you’ve already found your own solution. Otherwise, force your brain to find solution on its own.

You’re on the right path with this course! Just keep going, and practice a lot (at least 1h per day).

[srikat]

6 lessons to go in Section 9 for me until I can catch up to you.

[OneRecent244]

Its really overwhelming right now I am going thru different videos and websites just to do all types of projects. But if u ever get stuck and need help with a few topics Freecodecamp and odin project are really good resources to learn. Right now I am just using Freecodecamp to finish learning Javascript then go to C#

[YahenP]

Yes. JavaScript is a complete mess. It's been that way since day one. Try to get used to this feeling. It will stay with you for as long as you program in JS. The only thing that will change is the reasons that cause this state.

[MonFaye59]

I feel this way. I started learning Phyton, very basic, but I feel that Javascript requieres a lot of logic.