designah

When it comes to learning programming, the sheer volume of resources available—both free and paid—can be overwhelming. Every platform claims to be the best, and with so many tutorials and courses, it’s easy to fall into what’s known as "tutorial hell." This is a common pitfall where you find yourself endlessly jumping from one tutorial to the next, always feeling like the current one is missing something, or hoping that the next course will be the one that finally clicks.
Should I recommend specific courses or websites? No. What about books? If you’re interested in Python,
for example, O’Reilly books are fantastic. You can buy them or... acquire them through less conventional means. Whatever you choose—whether it’s reading material or visual tutorials—make sure you actively engage with the content. Don’t just watch or read; do. Follow along with what they are doing, but also challenge yourself to go back to the code you’ve written and tweak it. Don’t worry—you won’t break your computer!

Learn about functions, conditional statements, loops, classes, etc. After completing each section, like conditional statements, apply what you’ve learned to a small project that mirrors something you do in real life. For example, if the tutorial teaches you how to compare two numbers, try modifying the code to compare strings or create a simple game where guessing the right number increases a counter and triggers another function.

The key is to create your own simple problems and solve them. Programming is all about finding solutions, and the more you practice creating and solving problems, the more confident you’ll become.

Once you’ve covered the basics, practice by solving problems. Google simple programming problems, like "loops problems in Python," and work through them. Don’t rush into advanced topics like algorithms or data structures right away. Although understanding data structures will eventually make you a better programmer, as a beginner, it’s more important to build a strong foundation first.

Now that you’ve covered the basics and practiced a bit, it’s time to create something on your own. Don’t get caught up in the idea that you have to invent something groundbreaking or entirely new—just avoid making clones of existing apps like a YouTube clone. Instead, focus on creating something that comes to mind, like a simple tic-tac-toe game. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, take a look at your daily life and think about tasks that could be automated.
You can also join programming communities on Discord or Reddit to find a study partner. Reddit is particularly great for this, allowing you to learn with someone else and share resources along the way.

Starting a programming journey can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re switching careers or learning later in life. However, remember that programming is for everyone, and there’s no "right" path. The key is to start small, build steadily, and stay curious.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re a natural part of the learning process. Embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow. The most important step is to begin, whether that means writing your first line of code, joining a community, or tackling a simple project.

Remember, the best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is now. So, take that first step, start learning, and embrace the journey ahead. With dedication and persistence, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go. Happy coding!