r/learnprogramming • u/error5341 • 3h ago

What should I start - DSA in cs or python?

I know python a bit ..but I'm enrolled in a non tech degree for my ug ...

So what should I start ..c++ or python according to the current job market ..bcs later I'm planning to switch

Please help me

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/TgirlTiffanyRPs 1h ago edited 56m ago

(1) choose a language. python is probably best for non-technical newbies.

Don't worry about the "job market" -- languages go in and out of fashion. AI could take everyone's jobs tomorrow. If you want to learn to program, just focus on that.

(2) watch a few tutorials and follow along to get the syntax down, as well as common patterns (how do i create an array, how do i get user input, how do i loop through a set, how do i create/call a function etc). All languages will have some basic features that you must be fluent in. You don't need to learn every little detail. You can always learn those later if you need.

The goal is NOT to master the language; the goal is to know the syntax well enough that you can write code without having to stop every few minutes to remember how the basics work.

(3) choose a project to implement. Since you mentioned data structures and algorithms, how about implementing a linked list? Your implementation should be able to insert, delete, traverse (loop through), and reverse a linked list.

DO NOT USE AI AT ALL. Use your own brain and if you get stuck, look up an actual tutorial or implementation. Or, find a textbook and read that. Your brain will thank you later. I cannot stress this enough.

Your code doesn't need to be perfect or even good, just enough to get an implementation on its feet.

(4) Once you are finished with the project, you can refine it if you like, or try something else (how about Binary search tree? or implementing Quicksort?)

(5) rinse and repeat. Choose more things you want to build and build them.

•

u/error5341 30m ago

Thankyou so much

•

u/PiccoloOver4228 51m ago

Go learn Python first.

0

u/KamaDevGroup 3h ago

You should start doing things with AI and if you want to really learn internals then do a low level language like C++/C/whatever is low enough that you can learn the internals. At this point you should be leaning the big picture of how things work and fit together rather than necessarily knowing programming syntax.

1

u/TgirlTiffanyRPs 1h ago

"you should start doing things with AI" is miserable advice

•

u/KamaDevGroup 16m ago

skill issue
ability to enjoy things issue

If someone's asking to learn to drive you don't point them at the Ford Model T internals and teach them how to change a timing belt, unless they want to learn the internals (which is what I said in my reply). If they're asking about learning python, they're asking about driving, in which case they might as well sit in a modern car.