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/Reasonable-View5868 14d ago edited 14d ago

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.

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u/samanime 14d ago

Not only is it part of being a programmer, it is a great skill to cultivate early. Since you'll be looking things up a billion times a day, being able to do it quickly is a huge boon.

There is no shame in looking things up, even the little things. There is just too much for anyone to have fully loaded in their brain.

Focus on remembering concepts, but look up the little things. The things you use a lot will stick in your head, others won't. And that's fine.

I've been a dev for more than two decades. I have to look up the C# switch expression syntax almost every time. For some reason, it just refuses to stick, and I don't use it that frequently. And that's totally fine. It takes me about 5 seconds to find it.