Don’t be a programmer. Be a problem solver.
Have you ever thought about how a simple pencil can be used for so many things?
In the hands of kids, writers, artists, architects, students, musicians, scientists, and chess players, it can be used to draw, write, create, solve problems, build things, and take notes. No matter what you use it for, it will always be a simple pencil <—> tool.
Programming is like that, too — it’s a tool or toolset that can’t just be the end goal of learning. Don’t learn programming just because it’s popular or trendy. Look at it more as a tool that can automate and optimize many processes, solve real-world problems, and make people’s lives better. It can create something new and valuable for society.
Advertisings like “Learning programming in one month and start making money” isn’t a realistic approach. It relies on false promises and ignores the skills and knowledge needed for successful programming.
Programmers aren’t just paid because they know how to code. They get a good salary because they can solve problems and make valuable products.
Programming is like a modern tool for making apps, websites, cloud services, and games.
If we started colonizing Mars tomorrow, we’d need another group of ‘problem solvers’: astronauts, pilots, space engineers, biologists, geologists, and scientists.
I started my programming journey 2 years ago. New technologies and techniques are being created every day, so if you choose this path, you need to be prepared for endless exploration of new technologies.
Programming is a vast field, and everyone can find something interesting to explore - from frontend to backend, from mobile development to cloud, from data manipulation to machine learning, from UX/UI to more specialized areas.
If you want to start programming, I would like to share my thoughts and experiences with you.
To learn how to swim, you need to dive into the water.
To become a good programmer, you need to write code.
If you’re not sure what language to start learning, just choose the one that speaks to your soul and which you enjoy. Regardless of which language you choose to start with, you will eventually encounter them all in the future.
Generally Python is a great choice.
You may not understand anything at first, but that’s part of the learning process.
YouTube is a great resource for finding videos of experienced programmers who can help you along the way. Follow their projects step by step, and if you don’t understand 70% of the video, that’s okay. Keep writing code and practicing, and by completing many of these projects, you will begin to recognize patterns and techniques that are used over and over again.
Usually, I watch a tutorial project and follow each step by writing the code line by line. Most of the time, I don’t understand exactly what I’m writing, but that’s part of the learning process. Trying to understand something you don’t understand is a form of learning.
Learning is about continuously overcoming ignorance and insecurity.
I started learning Python. Today, I am learning frontend development (React, JavaScript) to expand my knowledge and skills. I watch project tutorials on YouTube and try to replicate what the authors do. The main thing is to practice writing code. The more you write, the better you get.
It’s all about your focus and the number of hours you put into the field. I firmly believe in the “10,000-hour rule.”
For example, if you want to become the best swordsman in the world, then if you give 100% of your effort, you will succeed. Nothing can stand in your way.
No matter what path or career you choose, you can master it. All human achievements have been made by humans. You can achieve the same things because you are a human too.
There are no achievements that can’t be repeated.
Links to sources, sites, and learning materials:
— thank you, peace ❤
