How to start learning programming?

[wwzsocki]

...There are many previous concepts and logical patterns of thought you need to master first.

Could you please specify them more accurately? I'm alone, curious about what you mean because I have a strong feeling that you have to start with it, although I do not know what it is?

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[mk4]

I know this is probably going to get buried in the comments, but I highly recommend buying a book over any web course. You will learn so much more in a much more structured fashion. Online courses are the trend, but books are the way to go. Get a beginner book and work through the exercises and it will help you so much more in the long run.

While I definitely recommend a good book over a few courses/tutorials, I think there are simply some people that can absorb information more through watching than reading. I think books explain concepts a lot better, but video courses/tutorials do better in terms of demonstration obviously. In the end, why not both? 

[Lakai01]

While I definitely recommend a good book over a few courses/tutorials, I think there are simply some people that can absorb information more through watching than reading.

Thats how I see it, too. It really depends on the person which type of media fits best. The biggest disadvantage of videos is that you cant put a video in your library to brag  which challenging literature you're reading

[Aero Blue]

While I definitely recommend a good book over a few courses/tutorials, I think there are simply some people that can absorb information more through watching than reading.

Thats how I see it, too. It really depends on the person which type of media fits best. The biggest disadvantage of videos is that you cant put a video in your library to brag  which challenging literature you're reading

While I agree that learning varies from person to person, I think that a lot of people like to watch rather than read because it takes less effort. While its easier to watch a video, the information you retain is little to nothing compared to reading it. That's just a scientific fact, you have to be engaged to read whereas a video you can zone out half the time and not realize it. I really do hate reading but I feel that when it comes to important things, reading a book is always the best option if you want to learn most efficiently.

[DdmrDdmr]

<…> Could you please specify them more accurately? I'm alone, curious about what you mean because I have a strong feeling that you have to start with it, although I do not know what it is?

IT is one of the sector with the highest degree of intrusion on the market, and all kinds of profiles end up working in this sector, whether they have an academic IT background or not. Often (not always) I find that people who lack an IT background also lack some basic logical thinking patters, and when they are set to programming, it shows.

Not that it cannot be picked up, but starting to program is not just about choosing a language and learning a syntax, but rather more so about understanding a bunch of concepts that are language independent. Amongst these we could include features such as (but not limited to):

-   Logical algorithm design (step by step process flow to resolve a problem). This is key.
-   Concepts such as Procedures, Functions, variables, objects.
-   Conditions and iterations.
-   Specific algorithms that may need to be used (i.e. tree or graph theory, recursiveness, backtracking).
-   Debugging.
-   Optimization.
-   Security.
-   Database design and optimization.
-   Transactions and atomicity.

Of course they can all be picked up as you go (not easily though, and each individual has differente capabilities to do so), but having a conceptual and logical background goes a long way to grasping a programming language and knowing how to use it properly.

[pawanjain]

I am very interested in the blockchain technology and I want to find out all about it. As I understand it, it is better to start with the usual programming. What is the best way for me to start, so that later it is convenient to join the development of the blockchain?

You will first have to define your goal properly. If your goal is to learn programming then you must understand the basics of programming and start programming in languages like Python, Java etc..
You will find the guides on learning the basics on youtube and to learn the languages I would recommend doing some online courses. You can either try the free courses or join platforms like Udemy.

If your goal is to learn blockchain development then you must first learn the theoretical part of blockchain and then find courses which will teach you blockchain development.
I remember Tosh Academy having a Blockchain development course but it is a paid course for which you will also get a certification.
You can also join some free courses to learn in depth blockchain development but to accomplish that you must have good technical and programming skills.

These things are not so easy and it will take a good amount of time especially if you are not from a computer science background.

[wwzsocki]

...I find that people who lack an IT background also lack some basic logical thinking patters, and when they are set to programming, it shows...
-   Logical algorithm design (step by step process flow to resolve a problem). This is key.
-   Concepts such as Procedures, Functions, variables, objects.
-   Conditions and iterations.
-   Specific algorithms that may need to be used (i.e. tree or graph theory, recursiveness, backtracking).
-   Debugging.
-   Optimization.
-   Security.
-   Database design and optimization.
-   Transactions and atomicity...

Thank you very much for this detailed answer, this is exactly what I wanted to know. I agree with you that logical thinking patterns are different for people with different education or even background. I asked for an explanation because, as you probably guessed, I tried to learn to code on my own and I wasn't able to do it by myself. I exaggerate a bit and with easier tasks for beginners, somehow with problems finally managed it but the further into the forest the darker and quickly you can get lost. Noticed that the way I am thinking is completely inadequate (one needs a kind of special, trained or learned logic), especially with more complex and difficult tasks, so far I couldn't find an exact explanation of where the error is. I knew that the years spent at the University are useful, although the majority of people are not convinced about it. My next free merit will be awarded to this post.

[pixie85]

THere are cheap and expensive options if you want to learn programming. The cheap ones include
watching courses online for free on youtube
reading the code of some simple programs to understand them
buying a book or downloading a pdf
asking a friend to teach you

There are also expensive ones like getting a tutor or going to one of the college courses where you get certified.

[pushups44]

Codeacademy is another web-based learning site that has gotten good reviews, but supplementary help such as books and hands-on practice are very beneficial.

[Lakai01]

-   Logical algorithm design (step by step process flow to resolve a problem). This is key.

I would like to add "advanced mathematics" as another key point. You need to understand concepts like axiomatic set theory or truth-tables to be able to understand more complex algorithms. Studying informatics in my country is all about mathematics in the first 2-3 semesters, it definitly pays off due to the fact that you understand complex code way faster with a good mathematics background!

[Zurcermozz]

I am a software developer myself and studied it in high school. High schools in my country usually teach Java as the first as programming language to freshmen.

 I would also advise you to start a Java course if you are really interested in learning how to develop software. A well know Java book is called "Java in 21 days". Just search for it at Amazon

 

How about python, I am starting for programming but they keep saying that you need to learn python first before learning another language, should i accept this kind of terms.

[letitbit]

First thing you need to do is study first the basics of your programming language what you want to learn it and watch tutorial videos on youtube and w3school or StackOverflow so many programmers there just post your error and they will answer and they help you to debug the codes

[crossabdd]

I am very interested in the blockchain technology and I want to find out all about it. As I understand it, it is better to start with the usual programming. What is the best way for me to start, so that later it is convenient to join the development of the blockchain?

simple tips learning how program working, try use php and mysql (basic) i recomended "how to install LAMP/LEMP" , then  learning how CRUD working at PHP, implementation all the basic to next level, like laravel, node js etc.
for blockchain  try build your own token, then learning how token work, implementation it in next level to create coin etc. 

[jak3]

I am very interested in the blockchain technology and I want to find out all about it. As I understand it, it is better to start with the usual programming. What is the best way for me to start, so that later it is convenient to join the development of the blockchain?

it's nice to see some young and new coders poping this year, Well if you are interested in understanding or even making the blockchain technology then I will say go for some major languages like Node-Js is often used and I think is the best choice for that. Because you have to use a lot of coders which are similar to JSON objects. you are not limited to any language, of course, I would start with python if I have to do it. Or you can also choose to go with PHP as it also has very good JSON handling. on top of all this if you really want some guidance then we can help in person.

[uzi]

I personally liked the "how-to-code" services from https://www.codecademy.com/.
They have different levels of courses for complete beginners and amateurs, so there is always something to learn there even if you have some programming skills 

[pooya87]

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How about python, I am starting for programming but they keep saying that you need to learn python first before learning another language, should i accept this kind of terms.

whoever told you that was very wrong.
you don't "have to" start from python before learning other languages. in fact i (as someone who started with Pascal and not on C#) would say that starting from a strongly typed language is a lot better but in the end that is just my opinion, it can be different  for different people.
people nowadays are starting with Python because it is apparently a lot easier to learn.

[fuathan]

I am very interested in the blockchain technology and I want to find out all about it. As I understand it, it is better to start with the usual programming. What is the best way for me to start, so that later it is convenient to join the development of the blockchain?

First, you need to learn algorithm fundamentals. Python might be a good choice to start programming. You don't need to install lots of things such as SDKs, packages, etc.. There are some online courses on Youtube, udemy, coursera, etc.

After learning fundamentals, you can start learning JS and NodeJS for the backend. NodeJS is a common technology to develop blockchain applications.

[Aero Blue]

I was pretty much at the same place you were around 2 years ago. One recommendation I have: start simple. One of the hardest things about programming is learning the general concept and how it all works. Once you learn one language, the others become significantly easier. I would suggest starting with a higher-level (closer to "human") language, such as Java or Python. I started with Python and I absolutely don't regret it at all, the main reason is: it's extremely flexible and you can learn so many useful skills from it. It's also becoming more and more useful in the age of data analytics, as compared to Java which is fading.

Absolutely the best way to learn programming is through an actual book, the online courses are awful and just a waste of money.

Here is an awesome collection Python textbooks.

[finaleshot2016]

Start in C+ or maybe python because it has basic codes that you will easily understand when coding. Python has a different kind of codes and github, you can browse those if you want to learn on different levels. I learned MATLab/Octave, Python, C++ during my programming subject days, even there's a prof that will teach you those, It's really hard. There are also youtube tutorials you can watch for you to learn basic programming codes.

https://github.com/python here's the link.