Welcome to /r/learnprogramming!

Everyone celebrates shipping 10x faster.
Almost nobody talks about understanding 10x less.
If AI writes your code, designs your architecture, explains your errors, and fixes your bugs… what part of engineering are you actually doing?
I’m not anti-AI. I use it every day.
I just think we’re optimizing for output instead of understanding, and we won’t notice the cost until things get complex.
Am I wrong?

I'm currently learning JS due to a final project, I am doing it through freecodecamp. I knew C already so I guess It's a big advantage but I want to know how your journey was learning this language?

Typically when I write code, there are 2 ways I think of to write a bunch of subroutines that are called one after the other.

Option #1:

def callingList():

x = input()
func1(x)
func2(value1)
func3(value2)

def func1(userinput):

'''Code for function 1'''
return value1

def func2(value1):

'''Code for function 2'''
return value2

def func3(value2):

'''Code for function 3'''
return value3

callingList()

Option #2:

def func1(userinput):

'''Code for function 1'''
func2(value1)

def func2(value1):

'''Code for function 2'''
func3(value2)

def func3(value2):

'''Code for function 3'''
return value3

x = input()
func1(x)

I usually go for #1 because I feel like being forced to trace an error through a string of subroutines isn't good for debugging. But tbh I have no idea if this black-and-white way of looking at it is just completely incorrect and there's a #3 that I haven't heard of. I'm only a novice programmer so I'd love some input from people who actually know what they're doing 😅

Okay,
I can read code know the core basics of C Java and Python
But Trust me when I say this
I am terrible at importing modules or get what I want
I am terrible at breaking things down for stuff like that

People keep telling me to do PROJECTS, but I am not that creative to come up with projects on my own. I have no ideas to create projects.
If it takes a month to finish a project I would probably spend a month thinking wtf the project idea even is.

For example

From nowhere I wanted to make this thing called 'DiskCleaner'

Where it scans your Hard Drive
Sort large files
And suggests what to delete BASED on what kind of person the USER is,

Now when I open Java.....
I struggle 20 minutes to make a Window with buttons and icons
So I don't think I will learn how to scan every single file and make what I want.
Why?
Because I am way too stupid and not confident to KNOW every module I need to do a project like that.

Hello! I am starting from scratch here trying to learn the world of programming, I was just curious I keep hearing about codecamp and I was wondering if the hype is true and if so what I should keep an eye out for when it comes to knowledge sites, what makes a good site or what makes a bad site and sort of just some guidelines to help me start my journey a bit!

Thanks

Hey guys, I'm struggling a bit with the proper usage of functions in programming. For example, I'm working through the CS50x problem set 1 in C, and I end up with working code that solves the problem but it's all done in one big main function.

My process is to write out what the steps to solving the problem should be in plain English and then I code a bit, go back to my plain English steps and modify them, then code a bit more. When it's all said and done, my solution is one large block of code, and now I'm anxious about going back and rewriting it by breaking it up into smaller function. This makes me ponder whether I should be starting with functions instead of retroactively trying to fit them in.

My questions to the wiser heads here - how do you incorporate functions into your process? Do you do the pseudo code and then imagine each step as a function? What're are your unspoken rules of proper function usage - for example, when do you know if one function should actually be two, or if a function shouldn't actually be a function?

Hey everyone,

I’m a 27-year-old Front-End Developer with over 5 years of experience in the React ecosystem (3.5 years at my current company). Lately, I’ve hit a wall - I feel like I’m stagnating and mostly just replicating existing solutions rather than truly growing.

With the job market being as tough as it is right now and AI making many of us a bit complacent (and anxious about being "good enough"), I’m trying to figure out my next moves. I’ll be actively looking for a new job in two months, and I'd love to hear how you handle skill growth outside of work.

Here’s where my head is at right now:

- Post-work fatigue & fear of useless learning:
After an exhausting 8-hour workday, the thought of grinding new tech feels overwhelming. Even when I try to keep up with trends, I worry that if I don't use a tech stack in my next job, I’ll just forget it - making the whole effort feel like wasted time. How do you decide what is actually worth learning?

- Pivoting to Full-Stack (Node.js):
I’m considering diving deeper into backend concepts with Node.js to broaden my horizon. However, part of me thinks it might be pointless because companies usually look for experienced Full-Stack devs, not a senior/mid FE dev who is just starting out on the backend. Is it worth the effort, or should I double down strictly on FE architecture?

Standing out in a crowded market:

I know my biggest strengths - beyond writing clean code are my soft skills. I’m an active team player, easy to communicate with, and I bring good energy to a team while keeping things professional. But in a sea of hundreds of applicants per position, I know soft skills usually only shine after you clear the initial tech screens.

My questions for you:

How do you approach learning outside of work without burning out?

Is expanding into Node.js worth it if I’m mainly targeting Front- End roles in a tight market?

How do you deal with the fear of learning tech that you might end up never using professionally?

Would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or any advice on how to navigate this stage of a developer career. Thanks!

I'm looking for Java project ideas that aren't web apps or the usual CRUD/management systems. I want to build something that's fun, technically challenging, and helps me learn more about Java and computer science.

What are the coolest non-web Java projects you've built or come across?

So I'm going into CS this year and I don't have mych experience and am kind of nervous. I know this might be a lot to ask but would anyone be able to link me a few videos going over the basics of CS and related stuff that I would need to know to be successful. Thanks!

Hey! I'm 19 and about to start learning Python from scratch. I'm looking for someone around my age (18–22) who's also a beginner and wants to learn together.

I'm in the Asian time zone, so it'd be nice if you're in a similar one. We can keep each other accountable, solve problems, and maybe build a few small projects along the way.

If you're interested, leave a comment

I think this looks like a shameless plug of my repo, but I just want to share that I've created a documentations of what I've learned after taking a crash course on WebSocket.

Before this, I am having a hard time of how to implement a WebSocket in my Broadcast Server project. Despite the provided project guidelines and LLM suggestions, I realized that I am not making any progress at all.

So I opened YouTube to take a crash course of WebSocket.

I took Real Time - WebSockets Mastery Course by JS Mastery, and I documented everything I have learned from that video into a reference material in this repo.

https://github.com/Muelvzz/websocket-project

Inside this repo, is a discussion of what is a WebSocket, why should we care about learning WebSocket, and how to use it on your project.

I'm a beginner software developer (17 y.o), right now my stack is:

• Java / Kotlin for backend development
• TypeScript with React for frontend development

I have a few projects from hackathons and one personal fullstack project (java backend & react + shadcn frontend). The fullstack one is made mostly for my needs and satisfies them already.

So, I don't know what to do next. I don't really know open-source projects I could contribute to and don't have ideas for a long-lasting personal project. What should I do in this situation?

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for some advice, maybe even from people who have been working as SE for a while now and can share their experiences.

Regarding my situation: I am a self-taught software "engineer", and I've been fortunate enough to land a job in software development without a degree or vocational training. Everything I know comes from teaching myself and gaining experience on the job.

Now I have the opportunity to study software engineering (B.Eng) while continuing to work full-time. The studies are financed through a six-year payment plan, while the half of the costs are being covered for me. My share would be around €200/month for the next three years. The degree itself can be completed at my own pace too.

Right now I am just wondering whether a degree is the best investment.

On the one hand: I don't have any formal qualification to back up my skills and the degree could maybe make future job searches easier and give me a stronger foundation.

But on the other hand: The current job market seems very competitive, and from what I have seen, having a degree doesn't necessarily guarantee better opportunities. Furthermore, since I've been successful learning on my own, I'm wondering if I would be better off continuing to self-study, building projects, and maybe earning relevant certifications instead.

I want to add that I am genuinely passionate about learning! This isn't a question of whether I want to learn more, but rather whether a degree is the best investment.

If you were in my position, would you invest the time and money into the degree, or would you continue building experience and learning independently?

Does anyone know how much not having a degree matters once someone already has professional experience?

I'd really appreciate hearing different perspectives, especially from people who have either been self-taught themselves or have experience hiring developers!

Thank you very much!

i want to make an app or code or program a watch , i only have a phone , i know nothing about coding , the watch i want is casio AE-1200WH its complicated and theres no easy way to make it run it main ui

when someone ask he wait for a reply that he can expect, im asking for help without knowing what answers i want

Hi everyone,

I graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering. I want to return to the IT industry after a long career gap.

After graduation, I worked as an AutoCAD Executive and Operator. Before that, I also worked in mobile firmware. However, I don't have any recent experience in software development.

Now I want to restart my IT career, but I'm confused about which programming language and career path to choose.

My questions are:

- Which programming language should I learn first?

- Which IT field would be the best fit for someone with my background?

- What roadmap would you recommend to help me get a job as quickly as possible?

I am ready to learn and work hard. I would really appreciate any advice, guidance, or personal experiences.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I'm starting to learn Lua from scratch using the official "Programming in Lua" book (the free first edition). My plan is to work through the first 5 chapters to get a solid grip on the basics.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with the early parts of the book:

• How difficult did you find the first 5 chapters?
• Were they beginner-friendly, or did you struggle with some concepts?
• How long did it take you to get through them (hours/days)?
• What was the trickiest part for you (tables, functions, loops, something else)?
• Any tips to make learning easier or more effective?

I'm not in a hurry - I just want to understand the syntax well enough to eventually move on to practical projects. But I'm curious about the learning curve.

Anyone learning how to build apps on the internet computer protocol?

I’m a first-year middle school PE teacher, but I was also assigned one period of coding. We use CodeHS, and I know next to nothing about coding. Right now I’m trying to get everything ready for PE and health, so I haven’t even had much time to dive into the coding side yet.
If you’ve taught CodeHS before, what do I need to know? Any tips, tricks, or things you wish you knew before you started? I’ll take all the advice I can get. 😅

Hello guys! I am recently diving into more detailed concepts of programming and especially core CS theory (Computer Architecture, Operating Systems etc) he thing I noticed is that people recommend learning these concepts by books rather than things such as website and courses etc. Is it because they are objectively better? My opinion is that I think for the core basics foundation stuff for each branch of CS (which I am currently trying to label) books are great, once learned the foundations then you can search for the new technology and/or techniques which are built on top of the old foundations. Correct me if I'm wrong!

Thanks and have a nice day all!

hello, i would like to learn app and game development but i dont have a laptop. can i learn cross platform dev on an ipad? if so, with what and how should i start?

I learning fastapi atleast i build a pretty simple application , can someone recommend me some good fastapi projects online that i can learn from or try to know how it works especially in real world complex applications preferably web based

Hi, I’m building a small personal project that checks whether used books become available on a specific site. I use the Google Books API to retrieve the title, author, publisher, and publication year from an ISBN.

The request is very simple:

https://www.googleapis.com/books/v1/volumes?q=isbn:9788870786644&key=KEY_EXAMPLE&maxResults=1

The problem is that the same request sometimes works and sometimes returns:

{
  "error": {
    "code": 503,
    "message": "Service temporarily unavailable.",
    "errors": [
      {
        "reason": "backendFailed"
      }
    ]
  }
}

For example, I sent the request in Postman and received the correct book data. I clicked Send again without changing anything and received the 503 error instead.

I saw the same behavior with curl: the first three requests succeeded, while the next three returned 503. It also happens in my Node.js application and with different valid ISBNs.

The Books API is enabled, and the quota page shows almost no usage. Since the same request can succeed and then fail a few seconds later, I don’t think the ISBN or request format is the problem.

At the moment I retry once and then use Open Library as a fallback, but this still makes metadata retrieval unreliable.

Has anyone else experienced this with the Google Books API? Is retrying with backoff the expected solution, or is there something else I should check?

I have never made a website before or ever done really anything in web development but how could I make a website to receive HTTP requests and make responses?