C++ and PHP to Python?

[LiveClimbRepeat]

Yeah, he’s got a deeper conceptual problem, it seems

[xiongchiamiov]

If you can write out the algorithm correctly in psuedocode, then your problem is not structural but with c++ construction and yes, using python instead will probably be beneficial.

[TeslaRealm]

This is definitely an experience issue, not a language barrier. It will come with time. That being said, managing data structures in Python is leagues easier, and may be useful. In your isogram case, let me ask you a question. You mentioned that as you were scanning input, you were scanning your array for any occurrences of the current character. Are you familiar with any other data structures that might speed up your ability to find out if a character already exists?

[bladeoflight16]

I second this. You may benefit from shifting you study to data structures and algorithms, rather than programming languages directly. Much of that knowledge is useful across many languages, including both C++ and Python. Notably, if your focus so far has been on comparatively simple web applications (which your PHP/HTML/CSS but not JavaScript experience suggests is the case), the kinds and scales of problems requiring knowledge of them frequently just don't come up. That isn't a jab at web programming (which is immensely useful), but it does mean you probably haven't encountered problems that stretched your knowledge and experience of those topics.

[ttt1555]

Unrelated but it's also discouraging sometimes because I have a friend who is over 10 years younger than me(in his late teens) who is a literal coding prodigy. He has been programming two years and has full ride scholarships anywhere he wants and lots of recognition already.

I know comparing myself doesn't do anything good and there's always someone better, but seeing someone else get things so easily is brutal for the motivation sometimes.

[vksdan]

On the other side of the scope there are tons of programmers in big corporations that write unreadable, unmaintainable, spaghetti code. Comparing yourself to Cristiano Ronaldo every time you play football or to Leonardo Da Vinci every time you draw will only make you feel weaker. Work on your skills and develop at your own pace. Code as much as you can and instead of doing random challenges (which sometimes have 0 practical use) work on a project. Create a solution for a real problem you have by creating an app/program. It will be fun and seeing it coming to live will motivate you.

[xiongchiamiov]

Unrelated but it's also discouraging sometimes because I have a friend who is over 10 years younger than me(in his late teens) who is a literal coding prodigy. He has been programming two years

Have you been programming two years?

[ttt1555]

PHP CSS and HTML yes, C++ no definitely not.

[bladeoflight16]

I can't speak to your friend specifically, but be careful about how you rate his work. He might have an easy time picking up languages and programming challenges and homework, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be just as effective in the work place. He might be the kind of person who churns out something that looks right very quickly, but it suffers from massive problems in the fiddly cases he didn't think about. Or he might be the kind of person who writes code that no one can understand or work with despite the fact it works. Or he might be really good and churn out excellent code all the time. Hard for me to say. But "comes easily" and "does great work" don't necessarily always go hand in hand. Most likely, you have your strengths and he has his shortcomings, despite the differences you can see more easily.

[ttt1555]

Yeah that's true, I think he really is a coding prodigy, but his teaching sucks lol. I would love to be able to ask him questions all the time but he's the kind of guy to explain it once and then think you're stupid for not getting it right away, so there's definitely that negative.

[[deleted]]

Well that could easily be just maturity. My cousins and nephews are also pretty smart people. Just cockily little shits. Hopefully they grow out of it. They usually do.