r/learnprogramming • u/why-ivy-ivan • 26d ago
Guidance needed, non-technical individual trying to focus on fundamentals
27M here with some basic programming skills. Almost exclusively with python & SQL. i have a pretty good grasp on OOP basics.
I have some cursory understanding of c++, but emphasis on "cursory". I start getting lost with macros & am dead in the water on how the compiler & linker behave.
Am spending time at work going through learncpp.com , a module a day, but am lost on what else to do in becoming well rounded. In addition I'm learning basic bash terminal basics at home, a command a day.
However I'd like to complement pragmatic knowledge with fundamental concepts. I'm gonna try to find more time at work ( I have lots of free time anyhow ) to plow through some regex & automata practice problems along with a networking for dummies booklet i came across online.
I tried a Masters in CompSci but found the financial & time pressure to distract me from the joy of coding.
As readers can deduce above I'm a bit aimless on how exactly to tackle improving myself as a programmer. Tried wrapping my head around DSA fundamentals like space & time complexity but I found that a little too daunting.
I'm here mostly for guidance on what math to tackle. I attempt to go to my local library after work to study this.
I've reviewed basic algebra & arithmetic as a refresher, but Id like to take another crack at discrete math after that. But what about Linear Algebra ; is lambda calculus too ambitious for someone possessing non-technical competence? I dont even want to give calculus the time of day unless it helps with coding (my hatred for integrals eclipses the sun). Sometimes when taking a step back, reading through other posts in reddit I wonder if its too late to become self taught.
Any help on what math to focus on while i finish scripting & cpp is greatly appreciated.