4 answers
kacie
Student
Colorado Springs, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
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What are some good interactive ways to get more involved in programming styles like python, java, c, c+, c++?
I've tried finding a way to interact with programming sites it just feels like I haven't found anything interact enough for my learning style and was just wondering if someone could point me in the right direction?
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4 answers
Benjamin Muskalla
Software Engineer
3
Answers
Steißlingen, BW
Updated
Benjamin’s Answer
I think there are various ways how you get get more involved in a programming language and it usually depends a bit on your preferred learning style. I often prefer a mix of learning by reading (e.g. a book) but often mixed together with working on a real project. While it helps some people to work on a simple snippet of code to get a feel for a language, I prefer diving into an existing project and see if I can fix a bug or change a behaviour. That helps me to not focus on just the syntax or some primitives from the standard library but I get to learn the surrounding ecosystem as well.
A straightforward way to accomplish this is by contributing to open source projects. This not only provides a chance to connect with fellow developers, but also offers a valuable opportunity to explore intricate code structures and tackle real-world challenges. Remember, every journey begins with a single step - even a minor documentation amendment or resolving an issue labeled as a "good first issue" can be a rewarding learning experience for the day. So, dive in and let your learning journey begin!
Find an open source project that interests you (e.g. a tool you use yourself)
Find an easy issue to fix or something to help the project out (e.g. answer a question on an issue)
A straightforward way to accomplish this is by contributing to open source projects. This not only provides a chance to connect with fellow developers, but also offers a valuable opportunity to explore intricate code structures and tackle real-world challenges. Remember, every journey begins with a single step - even a minor documentation amendment or resolving an issue labeled as a "good first issue" can be a rewarding learning experience for the day. So, dive in and let your learning journey begin!
Benjamin recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1860
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you are interest in programming. You can start doing your own programming any time. Practice makes perfect.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Start with some simple programming languages first, e.g. scratch, python, etc.
2. Find the syntax and structure of the programming language. There are plenty of resources online.
3. Start doing some simple programming and then do some simple project, e.g. control a toy car, robot, etc.
4 After familiarize with programming language, you can start learning the other one.
However, I would recommend you study the Computer Science course in the college that can help you to understand the computing theory behind and improve the programming skill.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Start with some simple programming languages first, e.g. scratch, python, etc.
2. Find the syntax and structure of the programming language. There are plenty of resources online.
3. Start doing some simple programming and then do some simple project, e.g. control a toy car, robot, etc.
4 After familiarize with programming language, you can start learning the other one.
However, I would recommend you study the Computer Science course in the college that can help you to understand the computing theory behind and improve the programming skill.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Himanshu Verkiya
Software Developer
1
Answer
Chandigarh, Punjab, India
Updated
Himanshu’s Answer
Hello! I trust you are in high spirits!
I would advise against juggling multiple programming languages at once. Each language has its own unique applications. For instance, C or C++ is closely linked to the machine level, making it ideal for crafting programs that require meticulous memory management. Conversely, Java is a great tool for programming software that caters to multiple platforms via JVM. This principle also applies to languages such as Python or Javascript, each with its specific uses.
Start with a language that feels comfortable for you. C or C++ might not offer extensive support for graphical libraries out of the gate, but Java and Python are excellent for creating GUI-based programs, even for beginners. Once you've chosen your language, concentrate on mastering the basics like Polymorphism, Abstraction, Inheritance, and so on. After you've solidified your understanding of these fundamentals, you can then shift your attention to Data Structures and Algorithms.
Begin with straightforward DSA concepts like arrays, sets, strings, and so on. I wouldn't recommend diving into advanced topics right off the bat. Learn the language, comprehend the concept, and then build a project. Don't hesitate to refer to a Youtube tutorial. It's a fantastic resource to help you understand coding patterns and develop muscle memory.
One final piece of advice is to adhere to good coding practices. Stay clear of code smells. Practicing good coding habits from the get-go will make your coding style more comprehensible. Remember, coding is about communicating your ideas to others. We deal with extensive code bases, and the easier your code is to understand, the more effective a team player you'll be.
Best of luck! Keep practicing, and you'll surely excel.
I would advise against juggling multiple programming languages at once. Each language has its own unique applications. For instance, C or C++ is closely linked to the machine level, making it ideal for crafting programs that require meticulous memory management. Conversely, Java is a great tool for programming software that caters to multiple platforms via JVM. This principle also applies to languages such as Python or Javascript, each with its specific uses.
Start with a language that feels comfortable for you. C or C++ might not offer extensive support for graphical libraries out of the gate, but Java and Python are excellent for creating GUI-based programs, even for beginners. Once you've chosen your language, concentrate on mastering the basics like Polymorphism, Abstraction, Inheritance, and so on. After you've solidified your understanding of these fundamentals, you can then shift your attention to Data Structures and Algorithms.
Begin with straightforward DSA concepts like arrays, sets, strings, and so on. I wouldn't recommend diving into advanced topics right off the bat. Learn the language, comprehend the concept, and then build a project. Don't hesitate to refer to a Youtube tutorial. It's a fantastic resource to help you understand coding patterns and develop muscle memory.
One final piece of advice is to adhere to good coding practices. Stay clear of code smells. Practicing good coding habits from the get-go will make your coding style more comprehensible. Remember, coding is about communicating your ideas to others. We deal with extensive code bases, and the easier your code is to understand, the more effective a team player you'll be.
Best of luck! Keep practicing, and you'll surely excel.
Dani Phan
Sr. Software Engineer
2
Answers
South San Francisco, California
Updated
Dani’s Answer
For Java, I recommend the book Head First Java. From there, the best way to learn how to code is to actually program projects. I’d just Google Java projects for beginners. Leetcode.com is a great site to practice data structures and algorithms in any of those languages and a lot of people use that site to practice for technical interviews. I would say master Java or Python first. Then try to learn C / C++ as that language is harder with all the memory management. If learning on your own is tough I’d recommend taking courses or even doing a bootcamp.