What is the best way to start learning code?

Question

revircs · Answer

I tried to take a class at community college a few years ago for C++, but it was just terrible the way they were teaching it. IS there some books someone would recommend, or some website?

bibby · Answer

school is iffy. my college was still teaching 90s-level javascript and html for one of the classes I took in 2012... There are countless books and sites that can be of service. The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (SICP) is a classic. highly recommended. The C programming language as well.(Dennis Ritchie) I've been recommended to read this but I've never gotten around to it, seems a bit more easily digestible than a huge book about some large topic in CS though http://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-paul-ford-what-is-code/

revircs · Answer

Any languages that you would recommend? I'm afraid of learning a language, then it being outdated by the time I am done.

bibby · Answer

The main idea is that language in CS is for the most part, just for show. Different languages do little things differently, but for the most part the difference is syntactical.

You need to understand the concepts behind algorithms, data structures, code organization, etc. first and from there you can pick up different languages more easily.

I started in college with C++99, it was pretty alright, but I had a background in high school with java.

My ex really liked using learnpythonthehardway and she wasn't the most math-y or logical person. I assume that means it's accessible, (although it's written for python 2.7 and not 3.x)

tl;dr go with python or java

anonymous · Answer

Man i hate it, im takin python online and its so hard like wtf

bibby · Answer

programming is kinda like math in that you learn more by doing
are you programming in your free time? where are you taking it?

orb · Answer

I think it's not the code that's hard, but the problem solving aspect of it. To be honest, learning a programming language is not too difficult. But it is the "thinking" that is difficult. You must think in steps like a computer, and the ways achieved by the programming language. If you're learning an objected oriented language like java, c++, then you should tend to think in terms of object in regards to problem solving. Contrary, for languages like C, you must think in a procedural oriented way. And I think that thinking like this takes practice and studying.

anonymous · Answer

the best place i found is mit ocw & it's not going out of date any soon. and whoever taking python it would be like heaven. don't hate it if it's bit slow for some guys but the pace is moderate. i would highly recommend first 2 classes and the recitations, you will even find all the hand outs, projects and quizzes in there. P.S- No prior programming skill required. It's designed for everyone. Link- http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-00sc-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-spring-2011/index.htm

anonymous · Answer

I've found that the best way how to learn programming (coding) is by doing. You just need to set a aim and try to achieve it. E.g. you want to create program who can calculate the quadratic equation. So you choose programming language and learn basics. If you don't have problems with math, you won't have problems with that. So find out where you can write your program and how does the basic syntax looks like. I would recommend you Python. It's easy. After you have to learn everything you need to know for your program. Like how to input numbers, how count with them and so on. But if you are scared of start programming on your own. I would recommend you some useful sites. https://www.codecademy.com/ https://www.codeschool.com/ https://www.edx.org/ https://www.coursera.org/ http://ocw.mit.edu/help/get-started-with-ocw/

anonymous · Answer

learn coding in a fun way at https://code.org

woodrow73 · Answer

I'll throw udemy.com out there too for free and paid classes on coding.  You could also try looking over books on several languages at a local Barnes & Noble - I'd look for one that is presented by a good explainer and someone with passion, not a giant dry textbook.

woodrow73 · Answer

And book / class reviews are a good way of measuring their quality and results.