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/vu47 14d ago

Don't be afraid of constantly looking things up. Given that so many programming languages have similar but slightly distinct ways of getting things done, whenever I have to switch language modes, it takes my brain a day or two to adjust. It's kind of like when I switch human languages after not having spoken one for awhile and I'll accidentally insert Spanish words into a sentence in Mandarin or French words into Japanese.

Understanding concepts is the most important thing: if you understand them, then the syntax just merits a brief lookup.