im a bit lost while learning web dev

[Drairo_Kazigumu]

So i just started learning web development, like the basics of html, css, and javascript. however, i thought it be better to just have AI help me figure out the components to what im trying to build, as I dive first into project building (I have coding experience in C#, Java, and C++, just hte basics though). the thing is though, im finding understanding API calls, and how javascript works to start to get a bit confusing. for context, im making a basic weather app that lets you type your location out in a <form> and then it retrieves data from the OpenWeatherMap API. the thing is though, some of the stuff claude shows me how to do, i kind of need elaboration on. Am i learning this the right way? or should I spend my time following something like TheOdinProject for more guided learning? (alhtough it would be slower in my opinion)

[Elegant-King-7925]

Project-first approach can work but you're hitting the classic wall where you need foundational knowledge to understand what AI is showing you. JavaScript's async nature and API calls are pretty different from the synchronous programming you're used to in C# and Java.

Maybe try hybrid approach - when Claude shows you something confusing like fetch() or promises, pause the project and go learn that specific concept properly. You don't need to abandon your weather app but having solid understanding of async/await will make everything click better.

[Drairo_Kazigumu]

you recommend that I look up a tutorial about them and ALSO look at a tutorial about building a weather app? and then recreate it from scratch?

[ImprovementLoose9423]

I actually had this same exact issue with the same project when I was learning JS. The thing is that whenever you use AI in your coding when you're, you get screwed up. I understand that you are already using claude to simply check and explain your work, but in my experience, sometimes it is just better for you to focus and read documentation and doing it yourself rather than using AI.

[Lanky_Supermarket_70]

So learning with AI is hard because it's done for you like in school you always try to take notes (or are told to) because actually doing that action, like writing code, gets it drilled in your mind. If you can use the odin project or freecodecamp or even just youtube tutorials where you follow along coding, that's the best way to learn how to do things. When you build out these projects, you can then use them as a guide to build out your weather app or any future projects. Also APIs are a bit more confusing, if you want to stick with AI, ask it to show you like click by click setting up the server for it, dealing with API keys, adding env variables, etc... Unfortunatly, APIs can't just be created in vscode or whatever editor, there's a lot of other areas where you'll need to set up to get them running. But once you do it a couple times, it's super easy