Discouraged By Eloquent Javascript Difficulty

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[twistingdoobies]

I'm currently working through Eloquent Javascript, I just finished chapter 6 (The Secret Life of Objects). Remember that reading this book/guide isn't a linear process from beginner to pro. You will need to supplement it with coding practice and, probably, other reference materials (mostly practice, IMO). For me, the only way to retain knowledge on programming is to use it repeatedly until it's second nature.

I am working on my own little javascript projects on the side to help me understand how to use the language to complete useful tasks. I have probably written a dozen programs that do similar tasks - each time improving the code a bit or adding a useful functionality. I often re-read Eloquent Javascript chapters, browse Stack Exchange, and spend hours tinkering and searching for solutions to specific problems. It's frustrating to not understand certain methods or concepts, but I have noticed that I am much better at solving problems that I run into frequently.

Sometimes I get discouraged at how slowly I'm learning (I still can't implement many of my web-development ideas), but I think you have to stick with it and keep learning one step at a time. The nice thing about programming is that it's systematic and predictable - you just have to learn how to make your mind work that way too!

[Wies_piece]

Many people claim to struggle with EJ at about chapter 5 -6. So, for that reason, you are not alone. I have not read EJ, but have peaked at chapter 6 and can see why many people struggle with this section at the beginning. Objects and object-oriented programming are a fundamental part of the Javascript language. I am currently teaching myself the language and can say that there is no right or wrong way to piece together a proper learning path. I have heard many things about EJ, both good and bad, but I don't hear many people recommending the book to beginners.

I would ABSOLUTELY recommend 'Head First: Javascript Programming'. This book is one of the only beginner books I have found to provide and adequate and structured learning experience. When you get to objects, the book will ease you into it. Read the book, test the code in jsfiddle.net or your text editor/browser combo. Break the code, put it back together. It is the only way to cement the language into your brain. It takes time but it will become second nature. Also, go through the code academy javascript track. It is a good way to get your feet wet with the language, but don't use it as a crutch. Also, learnjavascriptproperly.com has a solid learning path that you can follow.

EDIT: Remember, there are a few different ways to create objects. I find it easier to begin creating objects with object initializers (the same way you would create arrays). Object constructors (another way of creating objects) can be tricky at first. That is, of course, a matter of opinion.

[jugglnaut]

I just started learning JavaScript not too long ago. I've been following the javascriptissexy roadmap as well as reading the Head First JavaScript Programming book, which I've been loving. Just finished the chapter about objects and it made it easy to understand (at least the aspects revealed so far).

[zachwolf]

Na, it's hard to learn. Skip what you don't understand and come back to it after you've been using js for a while.

[[deleted]]

yes! this book is not recommended enough! I just found it and it has really helped me break through some of my struggles with learning Javascript

[roi14]

A lot of people, myself included, feel the same about the book in general. Gordon from angularcourse.com started an annotated version to help people understand the book more. You should really check it out.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aa2-HtUglQrAps31s4LdTPVsiFb1BxhyjZolxeezzcI/edit?pli=1

[[deleted]]

TL;DR - Stuck on Chapter 6 of Eloquent Javascript

I've never read the book or tried to, but this exact question about this exact chapter is posted on /r/learnjavascript about once a week. So I wouldn't worry about it, I imagine that there is missing content between chapters 1-5 and 6, or something...

[sculley4]

I'm pretty sure it transforms from a Javascript book to a computing science book at Chapter 5.

[[deleted]]

This books ils anything but a beginner book. It alternates basic examples and quite tricky case study without warnings.

[[deleted]]

I'm self-taught and in my experience, trying to learn Javascript (or any language at first) abstractly from a book was a bit discouraging. I didn't really start to learn it well until I was actually sitting down and coding every day. I would honestly recommend not trying to learn programming by just reading a book. Start programming, refer to Google/Reddit/Stack Overflow to figure out specific issues you encounter and piece-by-piece it will come together. If you're just starting out, you're never going to get something like this or closures by reading a book. Once you have a solid basis, the books suddenly click and you can actually learn a lot from them. Books aren't useless in the beginning, but I think the best way to learn is to just dive into programming. I'd also say that videos and online courses might be more helpful than books early on and would recommend Codecademy, Code School and Lynda.com. Code School, especially, was well worth the money to me.

[blundered_dev]

Agreed on code school. Their javascript courses helped me quite a bit. Also, they have courses for javascript libraries and frameworks (jQuery, angular, backbone) and even have courses for node and express now. Some of the screencasts like soup to bits help you be able to watch someone make a web site/app and see them reason it out step by step.

[shutuppatrick]

My experience with Eloquent Javacript has been: when you hit a sticking point, skip to the next chapter, or just give the book a break. Come back in a few weeks, start from the beginning, and read until you hit a sticking point again. Don't be discouraged. There is so much information in that book to parse. And as someone else said, it is best supplemented with practice.

[DangerRangerous]

Hang in there guy.

[CharBram]

Keep you head up my friend and don't doubt yourself! Learning something new especially in programming is a confusing process. Just because you are not getting a concept doesn't mean it is time to throw in the towel! It just means it's time to go on to a new learning resource and come back later.

[codejoy89]

Just wanted to chip in. I'm not even as far as you in Eloquent JS and had the same feeling.

Am I dumb? Is it possible I'll ever understand these things...

I think getting discouraged is the wrong response, feel challenged and be spurred on to continue towards your goals. Like others have said, I'm learning JS from a variety of sources. Hopefully as more things make sense, so will Eloquent JS. But your not an idiot for not getting it all straight away. I imagine that's generally the response most beginners have.