sometimes i wish i could start over learning to code again. it used to feel so mysterious and badass.
Alright, I learned graduated harvard and learned how to code, now how do I center a div?
Source: the actual harvard university website
This is fucking dumb. People learning how to code don’t know how to start. They don’t know what to start writing or where to start on it. This is akin to telling a depressed person “just don’t be sad”.
Rolling up and getting started is a great way to find some really sloppy ways to do some initially very fascinating tricks. Like, its not a terrible idea on its face.
But there’s a huge difference between learning some javascript tricks or python commands to macro with and professionally designing a full stack. Really depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.
Best thing in the world is a fresh faced young developer who is eager to learn everything you put in front of them. Worst thing in the world is someone who only half-knows how to code but thinks they can do a proper mobile app from first principles. Every time I see a mile of copypasta spaghetti code sitting inside a single oversized Main() function, I die inside.
Ironically that is how to fight depression, changing your mind. Any technique that has proven effective has been exactly: stop being sad.
I’ve tutored at least a few people that have needed me to put their hand on a mouse and show them how to navigate an IDE.
Medication helps a lot of people, and CBT is very effective for others. I’ve never heard of a “technique” that’s effective against depression that can be reasonably described like that, but I’m not an expert. Would love some concrete examples.
So right. I did start a self-taught course in Python years ago, I got stuck on OOP, and couldn’t wrap my head around it, so I go demotivated. I want to start over and learn now that I have more free time.
When I’ve spoken with people who says they ‘want to code, but don’t know how to start,’ dollars to doughnuts it’s the same problem as wanting to learn hacking, artistry, or science. (I think the original comic was drawing.)
There isn’t a solid reason for why they want to learn X, the wanters just think it would be cool to *be an X-er", and want anyone to hand it to them.
The people who want Y, and need to learn X to accomplish it will take the first step. Though many won’t follow through if goal Y is too high. I’ve pointed people to the resources to learn X countless times. It’s only the people who want Y, and are willing to learn X to achieve it, that succeed. Hacker, Coder, Engineer, Artist-er, and on and on. You can lead a horse to water, but not teach it how to drink.
It’s like trying to make a person learn how to play the flute by just handing them a flute. If they don’t know how to assemble it, clean it, hold it, press the keys, and proper embouchure, they’re never going to learn how to play the instrument.
I think some people view it as “if you’re meant to be a coder your natural curiosity towards how things work will probably lead you to writing code naturally.” But it’s a pretty gatekeepy point of view.
Its a good litmus test for people who are genuinely interested versus people who just heard “Lern 2 Kode” from a hustler on YouTube and thought they could bullshit their way through it.
But also, you’ll notice the cartoon character getting handed a nice looking laptop and keyboard. How cool is that? A cartoonist handing you a few hundred dollars worth of hardware plus presumably an always-on internet connection. Imagine if everyone had those kinds of resources just tossed to them at the asking.
But they aren’t asking for tools they’re asking for guidance. What’s the point of all that expensive hardware if they have no clue what to do with it and where to start learning?
We learned to do it in the 90’s before search engines existed. Could always get a book…
Not everyone learns in the same way. If someone learns better by asking others for guidance and you tell them to just read a book I hope they spank your arse with that brick of paper smh.
Learn to learn, then. People can’t just magically hand you knowledge.
Step 1: Google
Step 2: Copy
Step 3: Paste
Step 4: Go to Step 1
For me it’s:
Step 1: Google
Step 2: Open stackoverflow link
Step 3: Read a bunch of people yelling at OP about why their question/issue is dumb and that they need to Google more.
Step 4: Find what might possibly be an answer to the question but it is written in a way that leaves out half the knowledge I would need to correctly interpret the answer because this person just assumes I know everything there is to know about programming already. Meaning I would never have need to ask the question in the first place, duh.
Step 5: Leave computer in disgust and maybe try rubbing two sticks together to make a fire that I can use to burn everything down…
I had that exact same problem and this website fixed my issue perfectly.
More like :
- Open github
- Search cool project that you wanna tried
- git clone
- Open your downloaded project in your favorite text editor
- Install required dependencies
- Compile
- ???
- Run
- Profit
- Repeat to step 1
“I would contribute a PR but I don’t know Go!”
Brilliant! Also tell them about chatgpt.
I never noticed before, but it looks like DeForest Kelley is struggling to keep a straight face in that scene…
If anyone genuinely feels this way and wants to get started in coding, I highly recommend doing one of the mooc.fi courses. Codecademy is fine as a taster/refresh but don’t waste money on the premium when something like mooc is available for free.
I am actually, this is exactly what I was looking for! You’re a saint
Never heard of that site but looks cool, thanks!
I’m a systems administrator but I’m always looking for ways to expand my skill set, thanks for pointing me towards these awesome courses.
Programming is self-harm that has positive outcomes.
