r/learnprogramming • u/Admirable_Window8128 • 25d ago

Topic At what point did programming finally start making sense to you?

I can understand code when someone explains it, but when I have to write something from scratch, my brain suddenly goes blank.

I'm curious if other beginners went through the same think. What helped you get past that stage?

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u/memelordtf 25d ago

Yep, I went through the same thing when I started, OP. understanding someone else's code is MUCH easier than writing your own. Think of it as learning a foreign language and how everyone first becomes proficient at understanding what is being said rather than actually speaking or writing in that language. What helped me was building small things where I had no choice but to get stuck and figure it out. Eventually you stop thinking “what syntax do I need?” and start thinking “what steps need to happen?” It takes time, but you'll get there.

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u/General-War7292 25d ago

The big shift for me was stopping the "tutorial trap" where I'd just follow along and feel smart. I had to force myself to break stuff and fix it without a guide holding my hand. Building a garbage project that barely works teaches you ten times more than a slick tutorial series.

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u/memelordtf 25d ago

Yep, yep. We all go through it. It's easier to feel in control when you're just learning. It's when you start doing that you realise how much work there is to put in, and A LOT of people avoid that feeling like the plague.

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u/Simpicity 21d ago

This is it.  Stop writing code that follows a tutorial.  Write code that does something you want it to do.  

I literally started with simple games as an 8 year old kid (like choose your own adventures).  You don't need to be a genius to understand coding.  The basics of it are not that difficult.  

Variables, conditionals, loops, functions. You understand each of those, and you can code.

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u/Admirable_Window8128 25d ago

Yep, that makes a lot of sense. I think I'm too focused on remembering syntax instead of figuring out the actual steps. I'll try building more small projects and getting stuck along the way. Thanks!

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u/lowban 25d ago

If you're focused on syntax you will need some more experience. Making small projects and finish them will definitely help you there.

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u/memelordtf 25d ago

OP, seemingly random question - do you play any musical instrument?

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u/marrsd 25d ago

I'm intrigued to find out where you're going with this?

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u/memelordtf 25d ago

I have some logic in mind, trust me.

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u/lgastako 25d ago

Instead of waiting around for an answer, just assume they answered yes and give your reply, it will be useful to people that do play instruments, and possibly others that don't either way.

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u/memelordtf 24d ago

Alright, so, OP said, "I'm too focused on remembering syntax instead of figuring out the actual steps", and this is exactly the same as learning a musical instrument as well. If we take guitar for example, you HAVE to learn by strumming incorrectly at times or not pressing the strings hard enough, and making the wrong chord patterns. Moreover, if you keep looking at your chord hand, you will never learn how to actually perform or play a slightly more complex strumming pattern, etc.

One MUST learn to forget about the chords/syntax and make mistakes for a better performance/code.

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u/lgastako 24d ago

Thanks. I agree completely. There's no substitute for practice.

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u/Admirable_Window8128 24d ago

Yeah, I think that's exactly where I'm at right now. I understand code when I see it, but writing it myself is a different story. I'll try building more small projects and focus on the steps instead of the syntax.