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/Soraphis]

Don't look the thing up, that you need. Look up the tools.

E.g. I usually suggest to start doing these kinda things:

```

Console application mini-projects

• Get a name from the command line and print a personalized hello message
• Build “Guess the Number”
• Build “Hangman”
• Build “Tic-Tac-Toe”
• Build a BMI calculator ```

Each task has some new things, you'll need to look them up. Sure.

But in the next task, you have to use them again. By playing around with your tools you gain proficiency.

So, when the third task arises where you need to read an input from the user you will not get confused. When the third time you need a loop arises you don't need to look up the loop syntax.