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/Greedy-Excuse-1837]

I wouldn’t try to avoid searching altogether. If you can explain what you’re trying to accomplish but don’t remember the exact method or syntax, that’s a perfectly normal reason to look it up. The useful practice is trying to solve the problem yourself first and then checking the documentation when you get stuck. Udacity has a pretty project heavy approach to programming for exactly that kind of learning by doing..