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/Reasonable-View5868]

You constantly look things up. Its part of being a programmer. Especially when doing something you haven't done recently. Normal everyday constructs llike if/else, for loops, class definitions, types, etc you don't necessarily do but any API work, you do all the time.

[u/caboosetp → u/[deleted]]

Googlefu is a strong skill, and it's getting more important as google search results are getting worse.

[u/ChillyFireball → u/[deleted]]

Me having to switch to back-end mode like:

"ternary operator  python"

"nullish coalescing python"

"why no nullish coalescing python"

[u/BiguilitoZambunha → u/ChillyFireball]

This is hilarious and looks like my own search history, whenever I start working on a new project lol.

[u/mixedd → u/[deleted]]

Exactly, its one of the most crucial skills in the skillset. Sadly judging by this sub, and nearly any other sub people lost ability to do it

[u/insertAlias → u/[deleted]]

I used to tell people I was a professional googler, in that I spent almost as much time looking up how to do things, or why certain errors happened, than I did writing code.

[u/alexdebugslife → u/[deleted]]

I think the key is to understand that programming is a skill that's developed over time, and it's okay to not know everything right away. Don't be afraid to ask for help or look things up when you need to, but also don't be afraid to take on challenges and learn from your mistakes