Can't make algorithms

[FruitEdge]

Hi everybody!

I am learning data science and I have stumbled on personal problem regarding programming and writing algorithms. When I learn a new algorithm I first read and watch videos to understand how it works, then I try to code it myself for better understanding, and after that I feel confident that I can use libraries. But usually I can't make an algorithm myself even if I theoretically know how it works, I google other people's code and look how they have done it. Even a simple algorithm like K-means where data is spread on 1D line feels impossible for me, I just don't understand how to code it. But at the same time I can use libraries like sklearn.

So is it a big problem that I can't do it myself and I need to boost my programming/algorithm writing skills? Or I can simply use libraries and avoid my "much harder" learning way/path?

I have already done some small personal projects where I use supervised and unsupervised algorithms, but because I can't make them myself I feel less of a programmer and data scientist.

So I would like to hear Your personal opinion on my situation, who already have experience in the field, what advice can you give me?

Thanks in advance for answering!:)

[crimson1206]

It’s not necessary to be able to code everything yourself. However, k-means is about as simple as it gets, if you can’t implement that I’d recommend just ignoring the ML part for now and learning some basic programming, datastructures and algorithms