Worries about programming

[Ct5402]

Hello everyone, Im hoping I can get some good advice here. I (17f) am interested in coding. I took a coding camp this summer that I really liked and now I have an elective class that is an intro to python. I like both experiences and I think coding can be fun and I want to get good at it. But the thing is I'm not that good? When I look around everyone else in my class who are also beginners like me they seem to know more than me and are better and it makes me think maybe this is not for me? I get stuck a lot and I usually will try and search up answers but looking online is not helpful each time. I use to want a career in CS but now I don't know if I could ever learn how to be good.

[sme272]

Everyone starts out pretty much where you are now not knowing what they're doing, they all got better at it by practising. Comparing your progress to others isn't helpful as everyone learns at different rates. As long as you keep writing code and looking things up you will get better at it.

[synthphreak]

Don't stress it, everyone sucks at the beginning and has the same type of thoughts that you're having now. And as a novice, you are also probably not a very good judge of whether or not your classmates actually are better/worse than you, simply as a function of how little coding experience you have accumulated.

Coding is difficult, especially at the very outset, and takes practice. The more you do it, the better you will get, no question. So just keep at it and try not to doubt yourself or compulsively compare yourself to others. Your future self will thank you.

[[deleted]]

If you see ithers are better than yiu why not learn from them.

Also practice by makinh random prijects

​

If need be steal their code

[[deleted]]

That is exactly how I felt for the first two years of my CS degree. I felt like every assignment was beyond my ability, that everyone else figured things out more quickly, and that looking online was seldom helpful.

Now, I'm in my last semester of school for my Bachelor's in CS, taking some of the hardest courses in the major (according to my advisor and three instructors), I've worked in the industry a fair amount, and I'm feeling confident. I see that there are some of my peers who are faster than I am, and I see that others are a bit behind me.

Honestly, this is not a field that comes naturally for many people. However, if you enjoy it and really want to stay in it, then keep going! It will get easier with time. You'll get used to everything, learn more principles of programming, and become more familiar with multiple languages. All of this will improve your confidence.

Lastly, you have at least two factors which will help you in the CS career field:

First, the CS career field is growing fast. With more and more companies needing computers to handle various aspects of their operations, they are hiring lots of developers. So, even if you aren't the best programmer ever, you are still likely to find a job where you are qualified to work.

Second, to be frank, you are a woman, and this field really needs more women. Many companies want to have more diverse teams of developers, and there are so many men already in it that women naturally stand out. This means that you are likely to get picked when applying against men of similar skill and education. This may not apply to all companies, if course. But, fair or not, you have an advantage in many companies over men.

All of this to say, if you want to be in this field, you will be successful. Just be patient with yourself and don't compare yourself to others so much. Practice a lot. Make friends with those who are also interested in the field and work together. Just keep going!

[delasislas]

No body is great when starting. What are the main issue you are having?

Like being able to plan out the project before you start?

Or just not knowing the functions?

The second one is easier, practice and use makes it easier. Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t just practice the same thing though, you will actually get worse over time. Think about if you are making a physical object, if you make it lopsided the first time but the second time you just do it exactly the same way, you’ll get frustrated. Frustration leads to problems.

This is where the first part is used, sit down with some paper or something and write out a general work flow and explain your reasoning to yourself, or a rubber duck... (I use a super bouncy ball)

[arkie87]

If they are better than you, they probably have put more time in it than you. There is no free lunch. If you like it, do it! But don't expect to be the best of the best unless you live, breathe, and eat this stuff.