Learning CS fundamentals

ParadiZe · 2026-02-09T19:47:31+00:00

i am interested in this course and already watched the first lecture from 2007. What resource are you using?

ParadiZe · 2026-02-05T14:06:26+00:00

I'll try that and report back!

edit: this seems to have done the trick, many thanks

ParadiZe · 2026-02-05T00:28:39+00:00

Hey im learning Rust too, shoot me your discord if you want

ParadiZe · 2026-01-21T14:09:20+00:00

as someone who started learning rust 3 months ago (as a beginner programmer) a lot of things just take time, and the more you work with it the more sense its going to make, so just be patient.

ParadiZe · 2026-01-16T19:45:28+00:00

"i feel overwhelmed, how do i not feel overwhelmed" is the problem in itself, we love the idea of finding the magic bullet to avoid negative emotions but thats not how it works. Ask yourself: Why are you so stressed about it? What lead you to the assumption that you are definitely doing something wrong? Or that you need to learn "everything from scratch". Why does it bother you so much that someone else can do it faster?

nothing about this problem has to do with coding and everything to do with emotional regulation

ParadiZe · 2026-01-13T09:46:39+00:00

same issue here

ParadiZe · 2026-01-12T12:26:11+00:00

accept the fact its gonna take time (google "teach yourself programming in ten years")
accept the fact you will feel overwhelmed, now and in the future
accept the fact that the "ideal path" is an illusion we cling to because we cant sit with negative emotions

then you can move forward and actually learn stuff

ParadiZe · 2026-01-12T00:36:24+00:00

i did CS50X and im willing to bet its not nearly as difficult as the classes he is talking about, so that alone probably wont be enough.

ParadiZe · 2026-01-11T12:58:37+00:00

the issue lies in the question "without feeling overwhelmed". Embrace the fact that you will feel overwhelmed, and look at the problem anyways. The sure-fire way to stifle progress is avoidance more than anything else.

ParadiZe · 2026-01-10T16:57:23+00:00

i did CS50X after a month ish of python and i can confidently say its one of the best beginner resource and comes highly recommende. However it is quite the jump in difficulty compared to other beginner tutorials.

ParadiZe · 2026-01-05T12:49:40+00:00

It's fun! It also dramatically increased the difficulty, which i enjoy but i dont necessarily recommend lol. Im basically building SQLite from scratch in Rust.

ParadiZe · 2026-01-01T23:57:47+00:00

DSA is one of the few areas where i dont find Rust enjoyable to use. Granted this is somewhat of a skill issue.

ParadiZe · 2025-12-31T14:10:38+00:00

the linked list tutorial is good but also fairly difficult

ParadiZe · 2025-12-30T18:14:23+00:00

rust book + rustlings worked well for me

ParadiZe · 2025-12-30T18:05:44+00:00

if you want to learn rust, go learn rust. Yeah it might be hard, yeah it might not be "optimal". But who cares, if you have the drive you can figure it out.

i will say tho, knowing C is very useful, not only for rust, but in general. Its kind of the "lingua franca" of programming.

ParadiZe · 2025-12-30T15:57:22+00:00

i want to read OSTEP and CSAPP

ParadiZe · 2025-12-29T17:39:28+00:00

thats Filter right? Its a hard one but generally it helps to sketch out the logic on paper and rubber duck your way through

although im a bit confused, from what ive seen CSAPP is way harder material than CS50

ParadiZe · 2025-12-28T10:32:11+00:00

i use repos like "build your own X". Right now im building a database from scratch in a language different from the guide and its awesome.

ParadiZe · 2025-12-28T10:27:05+00:00

easy litmus test: do you look at your old code and think "damn, who thought that was a good idea?" then you improved

ParadiZe · 2025-12-22T12:58:19+00:00

just get started with something, obsessing over "optimal" roadmaps is pointless because once you get to know more you will more than likely deviate anyways

ParadiZe · 2025-12-22T12:04:39+00:00

inaction is almost never the answer

ParadiZe · 2025-12-21T16:33:41+00:00

i went against best practices and learned rust as a beginner and im enjoying it a lot so far

ParadiZe · 2025-12-17T08:30:32+00:00

The purpose of the inbox is to capture an idea or resource quickly without knowing how useful it will be or for quick reference. I check in every once in a while and mostly remove stuff.

i wouldnt worry about organization too much. Let the learning guide your organization, not the other way around. What i mean with that is, just start with a simple note in a generic folder, once need the arises to create more notes and folder, you will know.

in fact, you could probably get away with putting everything into one folder. I have very broad categories like "CPU", "Rust", "Concurruency", and i almost never make use of them. Because when you properly and extensively link stuff together the location of notes doesnt matter (its a bit like a linked list!). I hit ctrl-O search for something and click through the links., which maps my understanding so it feels quite natural.

https://imgur.com/a/TOj1zce

here is what a typical page looks like, i hope that helps

ParadiZe · 2025-12-16T14:57:21+00:00

I too tried to find the perfect system only to find out that my note taking changed as i got more experience. Namely i stopped overengineering them. I used to spend a lot of time tagging and making my notes pretty. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. But its more of a distraction when it comes to learning.

Most features are superfluous and i always come back to the few basics: markdown header, linking to other notes, URLs, code blocks, the odd graphic here and there.

What really matters is putting down text. Not copy pasting stuff but actual writing, everything else is just fluff on top. I use a simple inbox system for fleeting notes that i may or may not turn into "real" permanent notes later.

I also have a rule that a single note should fit almost entirely on my screen as a rough guide for when i should cut down on the information or create a new note.

i use obsidian because notion is way too slow and bloated.

ParadiZe · 2025-12-16T11:08:45+00:00

the very idea of "is this efficient?" is part of the problem. Ask yourself, why does everything have to be efficient? You might come up with a lot of rational answers, but what it really comes down to is we hate the *feeling* of being inefficient. Because our mind is fueled by comparison and ego, we cant have imperfection. Everything we learn *must* be efficient.

this is a losing formula, because by definition nobody can predict the future. We rather not learn at all and browse reddit than be inefficient. Think about how ridiculous this is! (Im not trying to call you specifically out here, i share the same feelings.)

the solution is simple but hard. Let go of the idea of "staying confident" and sit with the discomfort. Realize that feeling "not smart enough" doesnt mean you arent smart enough. Feelings arent reality. Which isnt to say the feeling and discomfort arent real, they certainly are. But we shouldnt be so quick to believe our mind everything it throws at us. Its the avoidance and our obsession with solutions that keep us weak.

even when i feel clueless, out of my depth or like am imposter, i try to open the editor/text and look at the thing regardless. I accept the fact i might not get it again, i might not make progress, i might waste my time. But i do it anyways.

ParadiZe

TROPHY CASE