Welcome to /r/learnprogramming!

the title says it

I'm a computer science student, and lately I've been thinking about how to approach programming in this AI era.

AI tools can already generate code, explain concepts, find errors and even help build entire applications. That's useful, but it also makes me wonder whether I'm learning programming the right way.

I don't want to become someone who can only ask AI to write code. I want to understand what's happening behind the code and be able to build things myself.

I'm trying to figure out a few things:

- Should beginners focus more on programming fundamentals, DSA or learning frameworks?

- How much should we depend on AI while learning? Should we try solving problems ourselves first and then use AI for guidance?

- Which languages and technologies are actually worth learning for someone starting out?

- What kind of projects should a beginner build to develop real problem-solving skills?

- Is it better to build several small projects or spend months developing one bigger project?

- How do you use AI as a learning tool without becoming dependent on it?

I'd especially like to hear from developers who started learning before AI became this accessible. Has your approach to programming changed?

If you were starting your programming journey today, what would you learn first, how would you learn it, and what would you build?

I'm genuinely interested in hearing different experiences and practical advice.

Is it a good thing to read basics of computer science while starting asp.net since it is based on object oriented programming

Im js getting certificates so idk if I should drop it here or focus on Javascript, C++ and Python. Also because Ai can easily code websites.

I started teaching myself programming about three years ago, but honestly, I feel like I haven't made much progress despite watching countless tutorials, reading documentation and attending boot camps.

Next year, I'm starting a Computer Science degree at university, and I'm curious about what to expect.

For those who have studied Computer Science or are currently pursuing a degree, what skills have you gained from it? What did university teach you that you probably wouldn't have learned on your own?

I am learning python i learn fundamentals and then think now what to can someone give me a roadmap what to exactly do and build cools things with python and even get a job, i am currently going understand the basics of it and then advanced topics and the. DSA with python.

I basically can make actual projects (snake, rock paper scissors) with javascript and i dont really know what to "pursue", to give you a bigger background:

Javascript is litteraly my first real programming language ever, i did start with scratch first (which i got pretty good at) then switched to javascript which had some similar concepts but introduced a new world of programming to me, it was pretty hard to learn at first but then everything clicked when i started following tutorials the way your supposed to (atfirst i did everything blindly and without purpose, just absorbing concepts randomly not in a ordered way)

i then got pretty good at javascript with nearly a month in (which somehow felt fulfilling and i learned allot)

but then i noticed other programming languages, i dont wanna be a web designer (i could become a ai engineer and learn to create a website for a ai) ive learned enough to create a small website, but i wont pursue the art of that what i wanna do is just anything that interests me (game making, simulations, neural networks) and i noticed clearly javascript isnt the perfect language for that, ive noticed c++ and python, people hype these languages so hard, ive never seen a simulation done with javascript

so what choice do i make? Countinue with javascript and master it or learn a new language

And well i am still a complete beginner on javascript so i can only make basic projects

Feel free to ask any questions

Hi everyone!

I'm a B.Sc. Data Science student and currently learning Python.

I know the basics like variables, loops, conditional statements and lists, but I want to improve my problem-solving skills.

I'm planning to learn Python step by step before moving into Data Structures and Algorithms.

For those who started from zero:

How did you improve your problem-solving skills?

Which beginner-friendly resources helped you?

How much time should I spend practising daily?

I'd appreciate your suggestions.

Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’d like to ask for some advice. I'm 17 years old with zero prior tech experience. A while ago, I started a Java course without even knowing what a variable was. It was really tough at first, but now it’s getting much easier. I’ve figured out the basic syntax, I'm finishing up my first small project, and I'm about to start Java Core.
However, I’m thinking about switching to Go. Not because Java is too hard, but because I’m genuinely drawn to Go and its philosophy.
My current plan is to spend November through February grinding programming logic and fundamental concepts using my Java course, and after that, fully switch to learning Go on my own (using documentation, videos, AI as a mentor, etc.).
Since I want to prepare myself for a junior/internship role over the next 1–2 years, I have a few questions:
Is switching from Java to Go at this stage a good idea for a future backend developer?
What should a solid 1–2 year self-study roadmap look like for Go? (What tools, databases, or concepts should I prioritize?)
Is it necessary to buy expensive courses to get a job offer, or is high-quality self-study + a strong GitHub portfolio enough?
I would really appreciate any guidance or tips from experienced developers. Thanks in advance!

Hello! I'd like to ask your advice. I'm currently taking a Java programming course on Javarush. I joined this course without even knowing what a variable is.
It was quite difficult for me, and now I'm thinking about switching to Go. I'm not switching because it's hard now — it's already much easier. I've figured out the basics of the syntax more or less, l've almost written my first project, and I'll be moving on to Java Core soon. But now I'm starting to think about switching to another language. I'm thinking about Go. There are quite a few reasons why. But the main ones are: for some reason, I'm just drawn to this language, and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to finish my current course, so I want to try another language. From November Ist until February, I plan to just learn programming (understanding and logic from the Java course), and after that, I want to study Go on my own. Using videos, Al, and other sources. Can anyone give me some advice? I'm just 17 years old, and I have no experience at all. Who can tell me how to study properly, what's better, is it necessary to buy a course to find an offer, etc.? If it's not too much trouble, please give me some advice for the next 1-2 years so that, with a strong desire, I'll have a good chance of becoming a programmer.
(The text has been translated)

Hello! I’d like to ask your advice. I’m currently taking a Java programming course on Javarush. I joined this course without even knowing what a variable is. It was quite difficult for me, and now I’m thinking about switching to Go. I’m not switching because it’s hard now — it’s already much easier. I’ve figured out the basics of the syntax more or less, I’ve almost written my first project, and I’ll be moving on to Java Core soon. But now I’m starting to think about switching to another language. I’m thinking about Go. There are quite a few reasons why. But the main ones are: for some reason, I’m just drawn to this language, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to finish my current course, so I want to try another language. From November 1st until February, I plan to just learn programming (understanding and logic from the Java course), and after that, I want to study Go on my own. Using videos, AI, and other sources. Can anyone give me some advice? I’m just 17 years old, and I have no experience at all. Who can tell me how to study properly, what’s better, is it necessary to buy a course to find an offer, etc.? If it’s not too much trouble, please give me some advice for the next 1–2 years so that, with a strong desire, I’ll have a good chance of becoming a programmer.
(The text has been translated)

2nd year it student know both js and java what should i learn first confused a bit sql will take time and can't develop project immediately but and it takes a lot of time will react is easy

Hey !!
Creating a new project related to web, What could be the ideas ?

I'm using Phoenix Code, since it was recommended by the professor in the course I'm taking, but I'm wondering if anyone has any other recommendations of tools worth looking into!!

I’m not majoring in Comp Sci. Taking the class as more a feeling out the major.

Recently got really cooked on the midterm. I’m using veteran benefits to pay for the class. So I can’t fail cause I’ll be put on probation and won’t be able to use them.

Many of my classmates have so much experience with programming. While I’m starting with zero.

Is there any resources that can help me or study habits?

hi, im trying to install node.js but im running macos 12.7.6 so i cant use homebrew. no matter how many times i install and uninstall node.js it always gives me that "referenced from:, expected in:" error. ive looked up everything i can think of and found very little helpful information, all of it just said to use homebrew, ive tried to find a way to solve it myself by shuffling folders around but im ready to accept that i have no idea what im doing and i need help. its been 2 days. i think it has to do with the files being in the wrong place, but i dont know how to put it in the right place?

im still pretty new to programming, everything i know is from puzzling things out on my own so please explain it like im 5.

thank you :')

Last login: Fri Oct 30 21:34:09 on ttys000
You have mail.
██████@The-Magic-Interweb-Machine ~ % curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.8/install.sh | bash
  % Total    % Received % Xferd  Average Speed   Time    Time     Time  Current
                                 Dload  Upload   Total   Spent    Left  Speed
100 17883  100 17883    0     0  54749      0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 54855
=> nvm is already installed in /Users/██████/.nvm, trying to update using git
=> => Compressing and cleaning up git repository

=> nvm source string already in /Users/██████/.bash_profile
=> bash_completion source string already in /Users/██████/.bash_profile
=> Close and reopen your terminal to start using nvm or run the following to use it now:

export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"  # This loads nvm
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion"  # This loads nvm bash_completion
██████@The-Magic-Interweb-Machine ~ % \. "$HOME/.nvm/nvm.sh"
██████@The-Magic-Interweb-Machine ~ % nvm install 26
v26.13.0 is already installed.
Now using node v26.13.0
██████@The-Magic-Interweb-Machine ~ % node -v
dyld[61962]: Symbol not found: (__ZNSt3__122__libcpp_verbose_abortEPKcz)
  Referenced from: '/Users/██████/.nvm/versions/node/v26.13.0/bin/node'
  Expected in: '/usr/lib/libc++.1.dylib'
zsh: abort      node -v
██████@The-Magic-Interweb-Machine ~ %

Hello!
I’m a high school graduate who’s taking a gap year and interested in joining hackathons but don’t know where to start and I have plenty of time
I have zero programming and coding knowledge but I don’t mind learning from courses, online programs, YouTube videos if anyone can recommend

Basically I’m interested in anything that might help me reach the level needed to lead hackathons

I've seen countless web applications and sites use custom, flexible date pickers with modern UI that match their brand, but even after searching countlessly online I still have no answer as to how. Headless component libraries... DatePicker libraries... stick with native... I don't know any of it. I just want to know how to style the native date input to match my personal project's brand. Please can anyone help me understand how it is handled in the current era as I've heard that building my own picker is a nightmare and hell hole and nothing else...

Looking for advice. I am a mostly self taught programmer (did a high school course on Java that was very rudimentary). I have played around with gamedev mostly and think I can code pretty well. I mostly use C# with monogame, unity or godot but have played with C++, python and have used MATLAB in my uni studies. But I have encountered a problem, even though I feel like an intermediate coder and programmer I feel like I cannot "develop" anything. Like writing a script thst does something or even classes with inheritance structure I can do, and sometimes even make a whole system but I really struggle with connecting sydtems into a larger whole. I also feel like I dont quite understand some words commonly used. Like I understand konda what a library is and how you use it, but why do I need to compile some using cmake, some come preinstalled and some need to be installed with commands I dont understand. And what is a service? Everyone talks about services on the cloud or on the local network and I just dont quite understand what it is. Most of them I can intuit what they kinda do, but how do I underdtand them? I feel like I am missing keywords to search to learn more. How can I go from a programmer to a dev? Whst technologies do I need to learn? Resources? Thanks in advance

There are so many free resources available online that I honestly don't understand why beginners feel the need to pay for programming courses. YouTube, documentation, books, tutorials — there's more than enough material to get started. I think the most important thing is to actually write code and build something yourself. Especially when you're a beginner, free resources are more than enough to learn the basics. Would you agree?

Hey, I've been trying to learn python for a long time now and I still can't understand and write codes on my own. I've watched and completed 2 courses where they cover fundamentals like functions, operators, lists, tuples etc.. but I don't understand what to do with that like if I want to build something i never understand how and from where I need to start

So, I have been using java till now and recently got switched to Csharp, and I wonder why we have to use Csharp instead of some other language. Like our project is about a payment app in which the crew customers or staff use it to keep record of all the transactions. So, why do we use Csharp is it because maybe they are more compatible with the situation there or is it for some other reason. And this question extends to other things as well in which way csharp is better than java.

Hello I’m an IT at a community college and I don’t understand how to code properly at all, everything else in my major I find easy but coding and it’s taxing my mental. I just failed my midterm horribly and I’m thinking about dropping out due to one class. I’m supposed to transfer to my university next fall semester and I will be taking programming 2 and I know since I’m not passing programming 1 I’m definitely not passing 2. What should I do? Should I drop out or find a work around? Am I cooked?

ALSO, my intro to programming class taught me nothing. Our professor would bs for the majority of class time give us and assignment WITH the answer and have us turn in the assignment WITH the answer so I learned nothing and walked into programming 1 knowing nothing and this professor has an heavy accent so it’s hard to understand. But there’s no way it’s his fault because my other classmates seem to understand everything going on while I’m clueless.