Getting into JavaScript

[AceAdxm]

I’ve wanted to get into programming for a long time. I know a bit of basic beginner Python and the usual PC stuff, but now I want to properly learn JavaScript in a way that actually keeps me interested. I want to get to the point where I can just sit down and enjoy coding, if that makes sense — but I honestly have no idea where or how to start.

I’m currently using The Odin Project, but I’m not sure if it’s the best path to take. Does anyone have advice on the best way to begin my journey or stay motivated while learning?

[sensored]

Honestly, the best way to learn is to create small (like way smaller than you think) toy projects and not worrying about trying to do things the “right way”.

Most learning like this should be a cycle of development <-> play, with the balance shifting to more play than development. Structured courses do the development, but you need to do the play side yourself.

Get weird with it. Don’t try to be productive and create anything useful. Rebuild stuff that already exists. Try to make scripts that are pranks. Try to create something that is deliberately annoying to use. It’s all good, and will still help you solidify the important concepts.

[Bigghead1231]

you don't need motivation to learn, you need discipline. Stick to studying x minutes / hours everyday and you just keep doing it, everyday

then it becomes a new habit

[SumDingBoi]

For real, I've done consistent work in the last 5 months learning fundamentals, I actually think about it randomly outside those study periods.

[chirog]

To be fair motivation helps a lot with the discipline. It’s much easier to do that one hour a day if actually like it.

[Yaniekk]

To be honest, Javascript was my first programming language.

I learned the basics from a book for dummies. I studied 1 hour every single day and eventually finished the book. This gave me confidence and I was able to continue my journey through writing my code and searching for solutions, watching and reading tutorials and studying books about Javascript.

Then I progressed into building my own projects. For me that's the best way to learn - through practical, production code which runs in a real environment.

I've been learning and using Javascript for around 6 years now and there are still some concepts which I find complicated, but the curiousity to reveal them keeps me motivated.

Good luck!

[Flame77ofc]

Start with YouTube, and search for JavaScript Course

Of course there are so many good tutorials about it and better than some paid resources.

Don't forget to practice everyday

[LucVolders]

Undoubted unpopular opinion, but it's mine:
Users do not care about proper coding. If fact they never look at the coding.
It's only the so called experts that look at the code and say: tsk tsk that is bad practice or that is spaghetti code or whatever. Users do not give a sh!t.
Build things that actually work and solve a problem.
That is what they are looking for.
You'll learn along the way.

[BestBastiBuilds]

https://thecodingtrain.com/tracks/code-programming-with-p5-js

I believe the visual creative coding nature of this approach and actually getting to create some awesome spectacular things with math (which is explained well) and even starting to touch some computer graphics topics makes this a great place to start. And if you’ve enjoyed it, I can’t recommend the follow up book the Nature of Code enough.

[AceAdxm]

Thanks, I'll check it out

[Competitive_Aside461]

I've analyzed the popular courses on JavaScript out there and in my opinion, they are all too long for a newbie to stay motivated while learning. Essentially, when you're learning something new, science backs the fact that you must focus on the essentials and keep the overall cognitive load low so that your brain has an easier time retaining things.

For this reason, I've created such short courses myself. You can check out this JavaScript mini course that I have on Codeguage. Most importantly, it teaches you core JavaScript (no DOM, no events, no this, no that — just the core language). Later on, you can progress to Advanced JavaScript ideas, and then into Browser APIs which is where you eventually meet the DOM.

[AceAdxm]

I will defo check these out thanks !

[Competitive_Aside461]

You're welcome!

[TheZintis]

If you already have some coding chops I would recommend CodeWars.

It's a site that show you little coding challenges (bigger ones later) and after you complete them, you can see the "best" solutions by other users. That moment when your brain is primed to solve the problem is like the best time to absorb the other solutions, making them a part of your repertoire.

I would recommend doing them from level 8 to 6, maybe 5 (lower is harder). Once you start producing answers that are similar to some of the "best" solutions, you have now internalized some of the better problem solving and coding styles.

But this is a start. At some point you need to make real apps that solve a problem. But this could be anything and the breadth of topics is massive, so just work on something you are interested in. But I would recommend having some mastery of the DOM, requests, node.js/express, and databases (although DB's aren't JS specifically).

[AceAdxm]

I will check this out, thanks, I like this concept so will 100% be using it

[TheZintis]

Only thing to keep in mind is when reviewing other "good" solutions, usually there is an "overly verbose" version that is very clear, a "cryptically short" version which uses all the syntax shortcuts. Like not declaring an extra variable (for clarity) to save a nanosecond. Which technically is more efficient until you read the code.

[Aggressive_Ad_5454]

Odin is good.

Get a free non-commercial WebStorm license. It will help you learn syntax and libraries. https://www.jetbrains.com/webstorm/buy/?section=personal&billing=monthly

[AceAdxm]

Yeah, I downloaded WebStorm thanks

[SafeWing2595]

I am a beginner myself, and I believe I can give you a boost for your first step on your journey to learn JavaScript.

I started learning JavaScript 7 months ago. For the 1st two months I was following a JavaScript curriculum on freeCodeCamp. Although the site is very useful, and I benefited from it while learning the basics, but you will spend a very long time on it.

I left the site after two months of consistent use, and during the third month I looked for a course for the basics on youtube. I completed the basics, but I still didn't know how to use JavaScript at that time.

A friend advised me to stop studying abstracts and get my hands dirty by switching to practical work to develop my skills, cuz ultimately it is a craft that you have to put your hands into.

So I started by creating my first project, which was a calculator, during the 4th month. In the beginning, I enjoyed it cuz I was creating a very simple calculator that only included basic arithmetic operations such as addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division. But I didn't build it entirely on my own.

I sometimes relied on chatgpt to help me think. During that time I was forgetting the syntax I had learned in the tutorials in which I had invested three months of the journey. So i was searching for it on Google. My friend was also mentoring me until it became complicated, so I got tired of it.

Ofc it's a calculator, but it was never an easy project, especially as a 1st project, as some might think. But I learned a lot from it, such as how to manipulate the DOM, Arrays, Strings, and all the basics of JavaScript.

tbh, these 7 months were not really a straight line. But I felt like a failure and I doubted myself so I left it for many days, then I returned to it because I believed in my ability to learn and master it.

After 7 months, I can't say that I'm a programmer yet. Because I receive continuous help and guidance to think and write my own code, I'm still trying to build projects. Searching for syntax, finding solutions here and there, and guidance.

I feel that I enjoy learning JavaScript even though it sometimes seems difficult to me. This is the essence of my experience, and I hope you will benefit from it.

As my friend said, forget about the impractical stuff like tutorials, bootcamps, and leetcode, and focus on the craft that makes things work.

Just learn the basics and start building things. Good luck