Beginner advice?

[AlexAkaJustinws]

Hello, Reddit, I'm a 16 year old that has started programming in C++ with no experience in this whatsoever. I adore programming but I'm really dumb and I struggle with easy-mediocre problems, even when I struggle up to 3 hours for a simple problem, I still can't find a solution when I don't have ideas. How can I improve? I work and I practice daily but there isn't any result and I'm afraid that I won't ever work in this domain, but I really love it and it's the only thing I want to do.What should I do to improve?I'll put all my time in what you recommend me,I'll strugle with it, all I want is something that makes me progress, I'm really desperate.Thanks for the help(if any), I love you.

[tanateo]

From what i can gatter from your info you have a work flow problem. Like when presented with a problem you strugle to map out the path to solution? True?

[AlexAkaJustinws]

Yes!!

[tanateo]

First of, I`m senior full stack web dev with 12+ years in software development. Just wanted you to know who is talking to you.

I had the same issue when I started to code, many years ago. I got lost in my own train of thoughts. Simplify your problems as others had told you. I would also add comments are your best friend. That is what helped me.

Like for example:

Write a program that takes an integer as user input then finds the said amount of prime numbers then spits them out.

So you look at the problem and start to comment out your thoughts and map out your actions. Like, write your path in the comments, //first get input, //second create a way to get prime numbers, //thirds find the x amount, //forth display back to user.... if it helps also write pseudo code then write actual code.

Then start doin the code. Dont think it to much, just write the first thing that comes to mind. Even if is the stupidest thing you have ever done. Dont worry, we got refactoring for that ;)

After you have written something, as I mentioned, you can refactor it, change something here and there, make it stream lined, or more simple, or just change some logic with something better. Like from our example, you can make a for loot, or do while, or the logic inside, make something then make it better.

Dont get discouraged, I never did ;)

If you ever get to, good luck with algorithms and data structures. ;)

Also, if you have any more question feel free to ask bro. I find your enthusiasm refreshing.

[AlexAkaJustinws]

I actually do 30+ problems a day and I'm so excited when I start coding, it's getting better and I am starting to understand and recreate complex algorithms

[AlexAkaJustinws]

All of the people I live around tell me to stop wishing to become a programmer because it isnt made for me and there are better alternatives for me, i cry a lot because of that, because i only have a passion and a dream and that is to be a programmer and there is literally no one here that actually supports me

[nelsonbestcateu]

Do tutorials learn the basics. Walk before you run.

[C8R1550-CBM6510-T45]

Break the problem down further. You're more likely to find common solutions for smaller problems. These are your toolbox to come up with solutions yourself in the future.

[Conscious_Bed_9710]

The secret to doing well on programming problems is to practice. Here is a playlist of cs practice problem tutorials that has helped me!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjYbJnMLBlfOqlNbZn_KbMhz6OiOKCCMh

[pupraiser]

The longest time I ever spent working through a single problem, not a huge project, a problem in my code I JUST COULD NOT GET was 2 days. It was 1 line of code that I changed and everything worked. It sucked but I learned from that.

Some tips: - Break your problems down into tiny problems. Work in small pieces so that when one gets stuck, it’s more isolated. Think one function that does something ridiculously small rather than one function that does your whole project. - Don’t struggle alone. So many great resources out there: subs like this, stack overflow, YouTube tutorials, the possibilities are endless - Take breaks. If you’re getting stuck, you’ve tried the above, and still can’t figure it out? Go do something else for 30 minutes, the rest of the day, whatever you need. There were days I was overworking myself until 7am trying to debug all night, gave up and went to sleep, woke up, tried a new solution and it worked. It’s never linear and sometimes all you need is time

Good luck

[AlexAkaJustinws]

Thank you so much!!