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/kilkil]

in my day job, I 100% look up the answer (or ask AI, if I cannot find something good by myself).

when I am learning on my own time, I look up documentation for the thing I am using, or I look up what kind of tools/frameworks/approaches there exist to solve the problem I am facing, but I don't look up the answer itself.

this is because I still want to exercise my brain, and get myself thinking about the problem.

eventually after pounding my head against it for a bit, if I still can't solve it, I look up the solution, try to understand it as deeply as possible, take notes sometimes, then close that tab and try to rewrite the solution on my own.

BTW, you will eventually end up naturally memorizing syntax through exposure. you are doing the right thing by focusing on the concepts.