How can I develop my coding skills further?

Question

I've learned many things at sololearn. I've read books too on programming. Books that are too easy or hard would not be useful. The former - I know them, thanks. The latter - I am not at that level and the material seems to be more for expert coders.

I've heard it over and over again, to learn to be a good programmer, one needs to code. However I don't feel like I am progressing on codes. It is all too basic stuff. Maybe I'm missing something. Some of the codes here are really terrific and I wonder if these coders were done by people with 0 knowledge on coding and who went through the certifications at sololearn and hey presto! They simply glided on water.

I think coding is great if there is improvement. But otherwise if I stay at the same level ... ... ?

I am looking to read books that are more for people who know some coding but are not experts. I don't want books so very basic that I learn nothing. I also don't particular want frills and all kinds of encouragement in the books to fill up space but have not really taught me anything.

I'm considering books like think like a programmer though I am not sure if that is the best way to spend my time - with regards to growth in coding.

Answer 1

https://www.sololearn.com/discuss/510275/?ref=app

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Answer 2

I can't talk about books. The last programming book I saw was back in the early 80's. I can talk about code. There are tons of programs being shared here. Some of them have new things that the classes here don't teach. Read some code each day to find something you didn't know. Ask the owner how it works (via a comment on their code.) If they don't get back to you, post a link to the code and ask the rest of us.

You can also make private copies of code you like and modify it. Add debugging outputs to see the contents of variables or follow the flow through the code. Just remember that the comments added by SoloLearn crediting the owner must never be removed.

Answer 3

Thank you John Wells. I've read many books in programming as I enjoy reading. However I have found it not that helpful. Many times, the books are either too easy or too hard, or easy in the beginning and suddenly it becomes incomprehensible. The encouragements made in books when authors write their own complex code and later praise the reader on how smart they have become and what a winner they are is useless to me. Since I did not write the code, nor did I understand it!

I think praises are good only when they are due. Overflowing praises goes to the other extreme.

What do you mean in your last sentence? "Just remember that the comments added by SoloLearn crediting the owner must never be removed." I don't know what that is! Could you elaborate?

I find it helpful the part you mentioned about reading codes here and possibly asking people in the forum or the person who made the codes what they mean.

Debugging and seeing what goes on is also a good idea. Debug and shred.

I have a minor in MIS but I had avoided all kinds of coding in College as I did not get into it. I have a general bird's eye view of what programming does. Now I learn coding because it is like a currency. It is a currency that has huge potential but it is not easy to be competent in it. To be able to think of what output you want to make and to write it. But yes, it has to start somewhere. At this time, I am learning the very basic stuff. It is not yet something I am fluent in.

Answer 4

Got it John Wells. Thank you for the information.

Answer 5

I have completely rewritten someones code so not a single line remains, but I still give them credit with a comment stating who and where (link to original.) Others, I massively changed the original, yet felt they deserved more so I give runtime credit, also. SoloLearn's policy states public code is open to anyone's use with documented credit to the original author. Personally, finding the original a few weeks later can be difficult so I always include a link.

Answer 6

Thank you John Wells and NimWing Yuan!

Answer 7

When you save a copy of someones code, you get a private version with an added comment stating you made the copy and from whom. Deleting that comment is considered stealing the other persons code and grounds for banning from this site. As one of the moderators, I wanted to be sure you know the rules so you don't accidentally break it.