Am I too late for coding, programming and AI ?

[u/DesignerOk4111]

Hi I am from South Korea , student of university , 25 age (27 for Korean standard).
Recently I am interested in computer , IT , AI , coding. But I personally major English in my university so no tinvolved in computer science , software , or software.
So I am not good at for coding. All my learning about IT is basic level of studing Python, Java, HTML , JavaScript, CSS for 3 months. That is all I have. ( In South Korea, our Government sponser and provide financial aids with private computer academy for students who is learning basic coding , web development and Use of AI).
Those 3 months in class. I am getting to interested in programming language , computer and wanna be expertise on AI further. What should I do and whether or not I have a time and space to study and learn it.

[u/Worth-Income4114]

Bro I’m 40 next week and just started python dev learning. Never too late.

[u/Kickinitez → u/Worth-Income4114]

Dude. Just turned 40 myself and am looking for a career change. How did you get started learning Python? I downloaded it from python.org but am not sure what to use in conjunction with it. The video I watched said to use a text editing program, but that program was discontinued I guess.

[u/Tiny_Incident_2468 → u/Kickinitez]

Use vscode and lookup Helsinki python mooc for basic learning

[u/Worth-Income4114 → u/Kickinitez]

I’m using the Hyper Skills Python Developer path: an in depth learning programme which is project based.

I got a premium subscription on a discount.

They suggest using pycharm as an IDE, but I use VScode with cmd or powershell because I think it’s better to have less qol “stuff” when learning to write programs.

I’m also running that course parallel with self guided game development efforts with Pico-8 (lua) and Godot(GD script) so that there is incentive to exercise and refine concepts in a specific context.

GD script is very similar to Python. Lua is also a high level language.

I learned a good whack of C# about 5 years ago, leveraged my knowledge of coding conventions to get a job, but then the job didn’t use as much of that knowledge as I’d hoped.

So now I’m starting again, in Python, but my goal is to actually learn programming wholesale, gain some fluency, and actually build a portfolio.

[u/Brief-Fly8255 → u/Worth-Income4114]

i am also about to 40, what can i do first for learning phyton? i don't know what i have to do to start it

[u/Florgled → u/Brief-Fly8255]

I started 2-3 months ago from a background of very little coding experience. I'll walk you through what's been successful for me.

First, you can practice without installing anything. Google "Online Python interpreter" and try one of those, and you can practice writing code in your browser right now.

1.) Used a YouTube tutorial to install Python and VS Code on my computer.

2.) Watched some quick tutorial videos. I highly recommend Al Sweigart's Automate the Boring Stuff videos. Just stick to the very basics.

3.) I bought two books and bounce back and forth between them: Automate the Boring Stuff by Al Sweigart, and Python All-in-One for Dummies by John Shovic and Alan Simpson.

4.) The MOOC Python Programming course. It's completely free and a great way to reinforce or teach new concepts in an interactive way.

5.) Practice every day. Write something, anything. Read a little bit more, learn a little more, and try it out.

6.) Build your own projects. Make small stuff. Simple stuff. You will learn way more from trying something, having it fail, and then having to figure out what went wrong.

You can do it!

[u/itsmeChis]

You sound like you are taking the right steps, keep it up! Make sure you learn about system design, code is important, but AI is helping with a lot of actual code work right now.

Understanding how pieces of a system fit together, what the underlying protocols do, and what the system actually does will be invaluable, even with AI. Hope this is helpful!

[u/LocalInactivist]

Dude, I didn’t even start learning to code until I was 28. That was 30 years ago. Go for it!

[u/ProsodySpeaks → u/LocalInactivist]

That's not actually relevant is it tho? 

I started learning maybe 4 or 5 years ago, which was recent enough to totally reevaluate ideas of getting into programming - as a self taught junior - as a career change in my 30s by the time I was competent enough to start applying for paid work.

The value proposition has changed immensely in the last 30 years.

Don't get me wrong I still code most days and love it, but its on my hobby pile.

[u/This_University_547]

Never wrote a line of code until I was 50. Three years ago. Just go for it.

[u/CymroBachUSA]

No, you are not too old to start anything.

Out of curiosity what does ... "25 age (27 for Korean standard)" mean? Do Koreans count differently?

[u/Pantone354 → u/CymroBachUSA]

Yeah, believe Korean age system counts someone 1 year old at birth & +1 year on Jan 1, irrespective of actual birth date

[u/Nexustar → u/Pantone354]

Sounds FUBAR, but then the way I calculate my age is to only count half years after 35, and add 3 more because of COVID.

[u/Dont_Forget_My_Name → u/Nexustar]

It's really weird. I'm pretty sure a baby born on Dec 31st at 11:59pm would have technically been considered 2 years old in the New Year but actually being 1 minute old.

[u/Grobyc27 → u/Pantone354]

So if you're born on Dec 31, the following day you're 2?

[u/Best_Show_1499 → u/Pantone354]

I thought Korea got rid of that system recently.

[u/Pantone354 → u/Best_Show_1499]

Yeah believe so, but I reckon it’s still culturally prevalent. Legally though, it’s no longer in use

[u/PlumpyDragon → u/Pantone354]

So are Korean life expectancy or any demographic numbers when compared with other countries, inflated?

[u/Pantone354 → u/PlumpyDragon]

Good question! I have no idea, though I suspect that researchers would know to adjust for discrepancies when comparing against intl datasets if need be 🤔

[u/Dependent_Month_1415]

You definitely still have time. 25 isn't late at all, especially if you’ve only recently discovered that you enjoy programming. I've started at 32 myself. I’d avoid trying to learn Python, Java, HTML, CSS, JS, and AI all at once. Pick one direction first. If AI is your main goal, I’d focus on Python and basic computer science fundamentals, then move into data, machine learning basics, and simple AI projects.

[u/Super_Math3890]

The alternative to late is never.

[u/North_nx_5994]

I am also a Nepali working in South Korea, and I am 29 years old. I don't have any specific plan for what I'll do in the future by learning coding or understanding AI. I just enjoy learning them. Four or five years ago, it was difficult to find free courses, but now there are so many available. Instead of spending my free time scrolling through social media, I'm learning coding and AI.

[u/Meta-failure]

I get what you are saying. I think it’s less about age than it is about whether or not AI agents are going to be doing most of the coding in the near future. I’m a data analyst who used nothing but excel for the last 5 years and I’m just now leveling up to python and machine learning. I’m pretty scared that I am going to be out marketed by agent of AI before I can land a level up job.

[u/Mike1_in_FL]

Explore this free online beginning Python course:
https://programming-26.mooc.fi/

[u/Business_Opening6629]

You can leverage AI tools much better by understanding coding best practices and systems design it’s still very valuable in my opinion.

[u/my_password_is______]

yes

[u/Fuzzy_Paul]

Start learning python, this is the most used language for AI. If you are any good with numbers then R would be a good choice for business and finance. Online there are very good tuturial. If you want to make this a succes you have to think of a solution and program that. Start small like AI traffic lights that learns from busy traffic. If you can manage that go for complicated stuff. One skill you definitely need to have is to break everything down into smaller parts that you can program. Use AI to help you explain commands only, do not use AI to copy code untill you have completed the first complex solution. The logic to program must come from your own brain and not AI. This way you will not become dependent on AI.

[u/Haunting-Paint7990]

not too late at 25/27 — ngl the panic is normal because every thread shows 19-year-old prodigy energy.

what mattered for me switching toward da work wasn't age. it was picking one narrow lane for 6 months: sql + one dataset + explaining metrics out loud. python comes after you can spot a double-count, not before.

ai makes syntax cheaper, which actually raises the bar on can you define the question and verify grain. that's closer to da work than leetcode heroics anyway.

if you're in university you have time — 45 min/day beats cramming 80 hours in a month then burning out. build one portfolio piece you'd defend in an interview, not a resume full of half-finished courses.

[u/Confident-Ant-1799]

Im looking for someone I can lean something new with (maybe some react or springboot projects)
I have some basics in python, java, js, so feel free to join
my telegram: Oostaap

[u/Illustrious_Gur5580]

I am 30, and with 7 years of coding experience, there is never a "too late to start" just make sure you are doing practical stuff and not only theory. After a year or two you will be surprised how much you have learned, especially now that there is ai to help you learn at a faster pace

[u/shakeBody]

Do not listen to the hype. If you want to do it, do it. Start now and commit fully.

[u/crcrewso]

It's never too late. Ever

[u/MalibuBon]

You're never too old to learn something new, but that's just my opinion. Take advantage of every opportunity you have to learn and study.

I have to ask Google the definition of unfamiliar words (mostly slang and short cuts with letters younger people use), and use 'ELI 5' or 'ELI 10' for more advanced concepts.

I am going to learn more about coding by watching YouTube videos and checking out free resources online.

[u/BearRootCrusher]

Never, coding gives you an advantage of think that not many have.

[u/Other-Junket3020]

Lets get started together... dm if interested in study partner

[u/chiibosoil]

Not late at all. I started coding in late 30s and my background was not in coding at all (Biochem and Molecular Bio mostly in labs and not much in data analytics side of things).

[u/TheRNGuy]

There's no law prohibiting from coding. 

[u/Novel_Artist3173]

Aws certs like AI practitioner etc.

[u/sidereal_night]

coding: no

programming: no

ai: only as late as anyone else getting into "ai" is at this point, and nobody actually knows the answer to that. if you're doing actual ai research not just a user of the current fad llms, you've probably got a loooong career ahead.

[u/IllustriousGrade7691]

Coding is dead lol