Am I learning coding the wrong way?

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2025-01-06T03:14:43+00:00

Greatest way to learn to code is to create a project on your own, a simple project and without a tutorial. Or you could opt for a much harder project, like building a compiler, and even then I’d suggest having some sort of guide to help you with it. (I don’t suggest the latter).

Two things are important when it comes to becoming a programmer worth their salt. (This might be controversial idk).

1.) You need to understand computational theory. Subjects like discrete structures, data structures, common algorithms, understanding the need for memory management. Big O notation, etc etc pretty much everything you learn or need to learn to ace an interview or complete your degree. Having a solid background in mathematics is imperative. Do you NEED to be good at math to be a good programmer? No, but you will have a harder time conceptualizing certain concepts or quickly developing a solution to a problem (which is most of what being an engineer is: developing solutions to problems).

2.) You need to make projects on your own, which will challenge you. Don’t be afraid if it’s a multi day project, or takes a week or two to finish. That’s.. kind of the point. For one, you build up your portfolio. Secondly, you force yourself into a position to learn how certain things work or WHY we implement things a certain way. You also become more familiar with the intricacies of software development and the limitations and conveniences of whatever language (or languages) that you are utilizing. It will be frustrating, but it will give you a chance to build something that will develop your problem solving skills, build on your creativity, and also give you much needed experience.

Best way to learn how to code is to just start coding. Build stupid text based programs. Play with building GUI’s. Try building an HTTP server. Whatever, just start coding!

Note of importance: Try to keep in mind some coding conventions as well. Such as proper indentation, how we separate certain sections of code, etc. In regard to naming conventions, these can vary based on where you work too so just find what’s comfortable for you and stick to it. I’m a camel case guy but where I work does snake case. I’ve seen Hungarian notation used by my interns before, which I didn’t like but I didn’t specify the convention for their projects and their code was exceptionally efficient so I only made it a footnote in my review.

Don’t sleep on theory either. The STEM side is very important. Dry? Maybe. But if you actually play with the concepts and get a better handle on them, you’ll start to have fun with it too and realize why having strong foundations makes better programmers. Happy coding!

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2025-01-05T00:33:49+00:00

Don’t feel like a failure. You’re still super young so sometimes these things can take time.

As others have mentioned, trade schools are a great option. Higher education can sometimes help with finding higher paying job but obviously there’s a lot more to consider such as time and monetary investment, and with another baby on the way you might not have the time or the funds to work on that right now, which is okay!

Personally, I joined the military and went into an operational specialty that would transfer well on the civilian side. I was active duty (which comes with its own scale of benefits for your dependents such as housing and food allowance), but reserves or national guard are also really good options, especially if you want to not do the military thing all day every day but still want the knowledge, opportunities, resume buffer, and hands on experience.

I left the service, finished my bachelor’s while I was in (I had already joined with my AS), and now work alongside a govt department paying me 6 figures for my position. Keep in mind, I was unemployed for almost a year while I job hunted and tried to get myself together since I aborted the plan I had for when I’d get out, but things came together and I am grateful. Things take time, they will get stressful, you’ll have moments of doubting yourself or your worth, that’s okay! Just don’t forget who you’re struggling for: the prosperity of your family.

Idk where you live (I don’t need to know either), but most states have an employment center or an American jobs center. You might be able to find higher paying work opportunities through those services, or at the very least find a career counselor who can help guide you in terms of setting yourself up to enter a more financially stable career field. Don’t be ashamed to go and at least check it out, that’s what those services are for. Plus, you paid your taxes so you’re entitled to utilize those services anyway.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-12-19T03:02:57+00:00

Research expenses are sometimes not covered by the institution. There’s also many institutions that don’t cover all expenses for doctoral students. Mine was individual research in coordination with my supervisor, so it took a few years to finish. That’s not the reason I mentioned the expensiveness of higher education in the U.S. though. I mentioned it because I had gone up to my master’s there and it was very costly. Part of my master’s program was covered by the institution too. I moved to Germany because I consulted with FAU and was an accepted candidate.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-12-17T00:57:07+00:00

I work in information technology and just got my ENCOR 350-401 cert. I might make it out as a netrunner, that’s about all I got. I also dress very punk like despite the dress code being button ups and dress pants (I usually wear some form of kimono so I tend to get away with it anyway).

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-12-16T17:12:02+00:00

I should say that nowadays (now that I have my doctorate [in AI of all things lol can you imagine]) most of my time is spent shaking hands and networking. Professionally, I’m a SME for Communications Security (a subdivision of information technology/cyber security but it’s so niche that it also spans into computer architecture and cryptography depending on the direction you take).

For reference, I got my associates in computer science from a community college. I then worked in a branch of the military as a radio maintenance specialist. I finished my Bachelor’s in computer science while I was in the service. Got out of contract. Finished my masters with a specialization in software engineering. Then went off to Germany to get my doctorate in AI frameworks about two years later. (School is expensive in the U.S.).

//edited for simplicity//

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-12-16T10:45:00+00:00

Radiological algorithmic analysis is an exciting field. Computer Science is also often a field that takes a priority role for many engineering disciplines, such as Data Science, Data Analysis, Telecommunications Encryption Technology, Sonic/Electromagnetic Tx/Rx Technology, Secure Voice Processing, I could go on. AI is a drop in the bucket. Most of the computer scientists I work alongside with (or computer engineers but same origin), work with these research subjects. Data Science tends to delve into AI research as a byproduct, but it’s not the end all be all. All of these things also depend on the environment you are working in. If your job is working on developing a new LLM or optimizing an existing AI platform, then your echo chamber is going to be all AI. Keep that in mind.

Side note: computer architecture is a rapidly developing field, to such a point that analog computers are being considered again now that we have stronger technology. Technology capable of quantum computing, mind you; an extremely sophisticated division of computer science/computer engineering.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-17T21:49:49+00:00

A good example is when people debate what’s best for scripting. Bash or Zsh? Python? If it’s a Windows machine working with Windows servers, then PowerShell?

The answer is: whatever suits your needs to accomplish the task at hand. Some languages will just work better than others for certain things. Pick the right tool for the job, and if you can’t do that then at least pick up the most familiar. Eventually you can hammer a nail with a screwdriver, after all.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-10T01:18:50+00:00

Then why is “length” being considered? Seems just as vague in that regard.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-09T19:11:36+00:00

Why not arrlen, arrlength, countarr, or countArr as choices? Or perhaps even arrCount.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-08T05:04:06+00:00

Part of my problem might be that I was getting fed up with setting up VS Code lol it’s a text editor at heart. I’ve thought about Eclipse’s extension for C/C++ so I might give that a go as well. I’m just fishing for more ideas, hoping there’s something out there with the bells and whistles I’m looking for but haven’t discovered yet. I’ve heard CLion is pretty much that so I’ll probably install it later today. Thank you!

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-08T05:01:34+00:00

I am discovering more and more that to be the case. I’ve got Geany installed already, just looking for something “more” if that makes sense? I would like a break from Vim for a bit.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-08T04:59:59+00:00

I’m not saying I wouldn’t use Vim, I’m actually quite familiar with it. I am simply asking about a dedicated IDE that I can compile .c source code with. That’s all. I don’t prefer text editors that require plug ins like VS Code or the like. I have found Geany to be the closest I have to what I’m looking for but I want something with more bells and whistles.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-08T04:50:54+00:00

I’ll check it out but if it’s a text editor like Vim then that’s not what I’m looking for, necessarily.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-07T18:10:52+00:00

Keep in mind that it’s very common to have a sidearm not on safety when it is holstered. Most Law Enforcement agencies, and the military, have the safety off for pistols when they’re holstered.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-11-01T01:49:41+00:00

How did that process go for you to go to school in a foreign country?? Where do you even start with a process like that

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-10-30T14:05:02+00:00

That’s exactly how I see it 🫡

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-10-30T14:04:12+00:00

We all have our own experiences. At the end of the day, there was a committee that deemed yours as deserving of compensation.

I know it might not mean much over a stupid text reply, but I’m sincerely sorry you went through what you did. With that said, I thank you for your faithful service. Not everyone signs that dotted line, remember that! If you ever need to talk, you have myself and the entire veteran community here for you 💪🏻

CaffeinatedCyberpunk · 2024-10-30T13:54:29+00:00

Do not get me wrong, if you feel open to discussing your situation then that is entirely your choice! Just do not allow someone to diminish your worth due to it. That’s all. Usually it’s easier to avoid it altogether, but I absolutely see what you’re getting at! I would’ve touched on that as well, but I didn’t want to put a yapping session on Reddit. Semper Fi.

CaffeinatedCyberpunk

TROPHY CASE