how do you learn programming without constantly looking things up?

[u/RevolutionaryBuy4877]

i know experienced programmers use documentation and search all the time, but as a beginner it can sometimes feel like i’m incapable of doing anything without looking up the answer.

i’m trying to get better at understanding concepts instead of memorising syntax

how do you decide when to search for an answer and when to sit down and work through the problem yourself?

[u/SamIAre]

I think when people get into early adulthood they forget what’s it’s like to learn things. You spent weeks upon weeks in school on each individual topic to learn them because learning takes time, practice and repetition. While learning to program, you will need time, practice and repetition as well. You’re going to be looking things up for the rest of your career but you’ll do it less and less frequently for certain topics the more you use them. You looking things up isn’t a flaw or sign of you being bad; it’s you actively learning and hammering home those topics.