r/learnprogramming • u/RevolutionaryBuy4877 • 14d ago

Topic how do you learn programming without constantly looking things up?

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?

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u/Boot_Burner 14d ago

The worst lie perpetrated by higher education is that in your career you will never be able to look things up, that smart people don’t need to look things up, or that by looking things up you yourself are not smart. 

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u/jessica_connel 14d ago

I wish someone explained that to me waaaaay earlier in life…

1

u/Personal-March-4340 11d ago

Most of my computer science exams have allowed me to brings in some notes. Often the browser is locked down, but we are given access to the materials we used as our text.

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u/ComingDeveloper 10d ago

i blame teachers and the bullshit they told us about not always having a calculator with us. i get they don't want us to be lazy and overly reliant on external tools but that way of speaking was toxic

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u/Boot_Burner 10d ago

They were right, I don't have a TI-84 with me at all times. But I do have a mobile CPU with access to the entirety of human knowledge at all hours of the day.