Welcome to ELI5_Programming: Where programming concepts are explained like you're 5!
The purpose of this subreddit is to provide a forum much like urban dictionary where users can explain (or ask for an explanation of) words used by programmers and web developers alike. Often times one of the most frustrating aspects of programming is just understanding what the hell someone is saying, and finding the right words to express programming concepts. Hopefully this sub can make things a little bit easier for us mere mortals.
Posted Oct 23, 2017, 2:01 AM UTC
4410
Thanks for making this sub. I switched to a third shift job so I can study computers, and it's looking like programming is a good teach yourself to do field. Thanks, when I'm stuck I'll come check this place out!
There is no shortage of info out there in the wild, but pulling it together into something useful can be a challenge for many people. It can get to a point where you're not even sure what questions you should be asking to try to move forward. But that makes resources like this all the more valuable!
Thanks for making me feel a bit better. Once I get my new pc optimized, I think I'm going to download an IDE and jump right the fuck into programming something in..... Python? It seems like the most important first step is to just start. Sort of like a human language the learning process appears to be in applying the information even if you don't fully understand it yet. Anyway, you guys are the bomb (positive old people saying).
The "first language" question is a big one and there's no great answer for it. I would say two things: 1. Picking something and running with it is better than doing nothing and wringing your hands about where to start. There's no rule that you can only learn one language. And 2. Right now JS is having its day in the sun and it seems like pretty much a prerequisite to every job. It's also very flexible and while it's used primarily for front end scripting, it can also be extended to a back end language via Node.js.
But you really can't go wrong. There's a need for pretty much everything somewhere. I would probably suggest JavaScript, Python, or Java as a first language, but someone more experienced than me can feel free to correct me. Feel free to ask more questions. I'll guide you as much as I can.
Hey, thanks. I'll likely be jumping into the thick of it Friday morning's third shift. If I can think of a way to explain the jump from 0 to 1 better I'll post it once I've gotten that far.
There are a lot of autodidact programmers out there, myself included. You can absolutely do it.
My biggest tip is that it's invaluable to find things about your "real job" that can benefit from software and spend time on those.
Well, lol. I'll try. I was teaching/managing a busy non-for-profit program for half the rate of a normal special ed teacher and I just fucking couldn't. Then I worked that job for another half a year or so. Anyway, I switched to working in a group home third shift. They can barely find people to staff these positions so I knew I could get the job and have time to study. I'll see if there's something IT related with one of the guys but that's a long shot. It seems like very solid resume building advice. I hope I can take it. Thanks.
What else helped you as an autodidact in this? Do you have a traditional degree?