So lost (newbie)

Question

I want to learn to code , and go to school. I have no idea where to start. I have no experience, and I've been told start with c, yet I'm already confused by the first example in this app. can someone help direct me? I feel like an idiot.

Answer 1

First of all, do not feel like an idiot. I am a software engineer with 15+ years experience and I went to school for computer science, so please trust what I am about to say. I learned c and c++ in school and it was hard to understand back then, even with a solid background of computer science theory. Now a days, people just want to learn to "code" but there are not a lot of classes or tutorials (even in schools) that teach the background of computers (binary, memory, processors, etc) and theory (algorithms, data structures and why these are important).

So im my humble opinion, starting fresh with a language like c and not background (c++ too), will be very difficult. And honestly, I teach python to a high school coding club (because I have to), and I do not think that is a good language to start with. It is too flexible and will not teach good programming practices and can be very confusing because if its lack of structure.

Java, JavaScript / HTML are good as well as c#.

What is your goal? Do you want to get a job as a programmer? If so then in what space? Web? Then dive into html/css/JavaScript land and have fun! Do you want to do more of a backend type programmer? Then start with other languages and I HIGHLY suggest you find a free class on computer science. There are some MIT videos on YouTube you will find helpful. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

the tutorial starts at the very beginning

Answer 3

I would start with Python as far as languages on this app are concerned.

Answer 4

www.sololearn.com/faq

This FAQ introduces you to SoloLearn and also how you can start from zero, what language to pick, and addresses a few questions that you may have as a newbie. Please read through the link, and feel free to ask here if you still have any questions.

If you are having problems with specific topics in programming (the examples you mentioned, perhaps), you can use this Q&A to ask questions related to the specific problem.

Answer 5

tbh.... that didn't help much.

Answer 6

and what if I know absolutely nothing about coding at all? bare basics.

Answer 7

thanks Michelle! but that's the thing, I'm not sure what I want to do as a career.... I enjoy gaming, and I'm curious about programming in general. since I was a kid I've wanted to do it, but at 30, I haven't a single clue.

Answer 8

i would suggest you to start with c++ or another object oriented language: java.

take a look at the "head first" book series, they put their examples in a good context, you develop a project throughout the book and learn something new in each chapter.

Answer 9

Unfortunately I do not have a good grasp on what would be the best path for gaming as I have no real experience with it. I hear all the kids these days talking about Unity or something like that?

A resource we use in teaching the students is Actimator, its fairly new and is block language (which should not be shunned because it teaches concepts without confusing syntax). BUT what I liked about it, is that it also teaches about gaming specific things, like scenes, actors, and honestly blew me away that you need to know a lot about physics in gaming (which I promptly forgot the minute I graduated high school, lol).

Check out code.org. There are SO many resources, videos, that teach basics about computer science. And follow what interests you. As you start (just start anywhere) you will likely find something that you are learning that interests you and you will want to dig further and hopefully you will find what speaks to you the most about computers and programming. :)

Answer 10

I'd like to do that but on my own later on, but I think I'd like to do something more stable. something where I can work in an office. but thank you for the webpage. heading there.