Ok, so, in a recent upsurge of things that I've seen (mostly on google) about programming, I decided I simply HAVE to make this thread.
Why? You'll see.
For starters:
There are two reasons why programming is so recommended:
#1: "It will teach you how to solve real-life problems";
#2:"You need to know a programming language in the 21st century".
I have many things to say on the first topic and just two things on the second:
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Many people start to learn programming with a common misconception: *insert cheesy voice here* "Learning programming is a good idea because it teaches me about real life problems".
So let me get some things straight:
Programming is not AT ALL like real life.
Its similar to learning a musical instrument.
Many people start learning to play a musical instrument because they think they're going to be some master musician.\ in an instant.
But will they?
No.
Most people like that end up fizzling out and wasting their parents' money over a year of useless piano lessons.
Did that help them?
No.
Now, lets say they learn how to play "Mary had a little lamb".
Will that do them any good?
No.
Will that teach them about hard work, like learning a musical instrument (usually the "life lesson" aspect in musical instruments)?
No.
So, what does this have to do with anything?
Lets see:
Lets translate into programming:
Some people think they're going to become some Master Hacker (read: Master Musician) / amazing Developer for Minecraft or websites (read: Master Musician) in an instant.
But will they?
No.
Most people like that end up wasting tons of time learning how to do useless things and sitting on a computer for hours on end doing nothing useful.
Did that help them?
No.
Now, lets say they learn how to write, "Hello, world", and do if / else. (read: Mary had a little lamb).
Will that teach them about real life problems (read: hard work life skills like musical instruments?)
No.
So you see what I mean.
Don't go into programming expecting great things or being able to solve "real life problems".
Expect a lot of hard work and always having people being better than you.
You will ALWAYS feel small.
It doesn't matter if you just wrote "Hello, world!", or if you made an entire website, you will never be good enough.
Programming also isn't like real life in the way that its precise.
This takes a lot of time to get used to.
In real life, if you don't write a comma in your text to your friend, so what?
In programming, you'll get constantly frustrated with your work when the ENTIRE program you just wrote doesn't run because you forgot a semi-colon.
Programming is about small steps, not learning how to solve "real life problems", by doing a few hours of programming.
(I know you're all going to say, "I started programming and I learned how to solve real life problems!". So heres what I have to say: either you put in a lot of hard work, you didn't do it in a few hours, or more likely, your definition of "solving real life problems" is waaaay off.
So please, PLEASE don't say this to me. I will completely disregard it.)
#2: Wow, thought this was over?
*insert cheesy voice here*"I want to learn programming because you need to know some kind of programming in the 21st century".
So two things:
The first thing I said in that huge paragraph up there still applies.
You WILL NOT learn things that will help you in the 21st century in two hours.
Number two:
Programming languages have been an essential for a loooooong time.
Lets look at the facts:
I would say that if a language came out in 1997 or later it is considered a modern language and an essential for modern times. (this is generous. 19 years is a long time for something like this)
So lets see:
SQL : 1970
C : 1969-1973
C++ : 1979
Java : 1991
(These are, in my opinion, the biggest languages)
(Besides Java, which is 6 YEARS DIFFERENCE, like, 25-31 years old), Its not even CLOSE.
If you think you just NEED to know Java in the 21st century, heres what id say to you: "What about in 1992, was it essential then?".
So basically, C++ has been around for 37 years, but its essential now.
Java has been around for 25 years, but its essential now.
I went 4 years online, and not knowing how to program didn't bother me ONCE.
This idea is not applicable at all.
So my guide to learning how to program?
That'll be another thread, but for now:
Read books, watch videos, do tutorials, GO TO COLLEGE for programming if you can, and the absolute best one: get a real live person to help you.
Nothing beat having my Dad know the answer to every single problem I asked him about.
If this resource isn't available to you, I'll be available for contact on the forums, as well as the other Developers on the server, (not all of them are staff) @Hangar , @MagnificentSpam are two examples.
NOTE: Always ask Jr Dev's, reals Devs will never respond.
Expect a lot of hard work, programming takes years.
And last but not least: Finish what you start. If you don't stop a programming course at the beginning, chances are, the course will do something for you. The beginning is always the hardest.
Hope this helped!
Why? You'll see.
For starters:
There are two reasons why programming is so recommended:
#1: "It will teach you how to solve real-life problems";
#2:"You need to know a programming language in the 21st century".
I have many things to say on the first topic and just two things on the second:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many people start to learn programming with a common misconception: *insert cheesy voice here* "Learning programming is a good idea because it teaches me about real life problems".
So let me get some things straight:
Programming is not AT ALL like real life.
Its similar to learning a musical instrument.
Many people start learning to play a musical instrument because they think they're going to be some master musician.\ in an instant.
But will they?
No.
Most people like that end up fizzling out and wasting their parents' money over a year of useless piano lessons.
Did that help them?
No.
Now, lets say they learn how to play "Mary had a little lamb".
Will that do them any good?
No.
Will that teach them about hard work, like learning a musical instrument (usually the "life lesson" aspect in musical instruments)?
No.
So, what does this have to do with anything?
Lets see:
Lets translate into programming:
Some people think they're going to become some Master Hacker (read: Master Musician) / amazing Developer for Minecraft or websites (read: Master Musician) in an instant.
But will they?
No.
Most people like that end up wasting tons of time learning how to do useless things and sitting on a computer for hours on end doing nothing useful.
Did that help them?
No.
Now, lets say they learn how to write, "Hello, world", and do if / else. (read: Mary had a little lamb).
Will that teach them about real life problems (read: hard work life skills like musical instruments?)
No.
So you see what I mean.
Don't go into programming expecting great things or being able to solve "real life problems".
Expect a lot of hard work and always having people being better than you.
You will ALWAYS feel small.
It doesn't matter if you just wrote "Hello, world!", or if you made an entire website, you will never be good enough.
Programming also isn't like real life in the way that its precise.
This takes a lot of time to get used to.
In real life, if you don't write a comma in your text to your friend, so what?
In programming, you'll get constantly frustrated with your work when the ENTIRE program you just wrote doesn't run because you forgot a semi-colon.
Programming is about small steps, not learning how to solve "real life problems", by doing a few hours of programming.
(I know you're all going to say, "I started programming and I learned how to solve real life problems!". So heres what I have to say: either you put in a lot of hard work, you didn't do it in a few hours, or more likely, your definition of "solving real life problems" is waaaay off.
So please, PLEASE don't say this to me. I will completely disregard it.)
#2: Wow, thought this was over?
*insert cheesy voice here*"I want to learn programming because you need to know some kind of programming in the 21st century".
So two things:
The first thing I said in that huge paragraph up there still applies.
You WILL NOT learn things that will help you in the 21st century in two hours.
Number two:
Programming languages have been an essential for a loooooong time.
Lets look at the facts:
I would say that if a language came out in 1997 or later it is considered a modern language and an essential for modern times. (this is generous. 19 years is a long time for something like this)
So lets see:
SQL : 1970
C : 1969-1973
C++ : 1979
Java : 1991
(These are, in my opinion, the biggest languages)
(Besides Java, which is 6 YEARS DIFFERENCE, like, 25-31 years old), Its not even CLOSE.
If you think you just NEED to know Java in the 21st century, heres what id say to you: "What about in 1992, was it essential then?".
So basically, C++ has been around for 37 years, but its essential now.
Java has been around for 25 years, but its essential now.
I went 4 years online, and not knowing how to program didn't bother me ONCE.
This idea is not applicable at all.
So my guide to learning how to program?
That'll be another thread, but for now:
Read books, watch videos, do tutorials, GO TO COLLEGE for programming if you can, and the absolute best one: get a real live person to help you.
Nothing beat having my Dad know the answer to every single problem I asked him about.
If this resource isn't available to you, I'll be available for contact on the forums, as well as the other Developers on the server, (not all of them are staff) @Hangar , @MagnificentSpam are two examples.
NOTE: Always ask Jr Dev's, reals Devs will never respond.
Expect a lot of hard work, programming takes years.
And last but not least: Finish what you start. If you don't stop a programming course at the beginning, chances are, the course will do something for you. The beginning is always the hardest.
Hope this helped!
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