{"id":1297,"date":"2018-09-19T15:40:20","date_gmt":"2018-09-19T14:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/?p=1297"},"modified":"2018-09-19T15:40:20","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T14:40:20","slug":"learn-to-code-the-hard-way-freecodecamp-org","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/2018\/09\/19\/learn-to-code-the-hard-way-freecodecamp-org\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn to code, the hard way \u2013 freeCodeCamp.org"},"content":{"rendered":"

B\u00e0i n\u00e0y vi\u1ebft tr\u00e0o ph\u00fang, mu\u1ed1n h\u1ecdc l\u1eadp tr\u00ecnh th\u00ec c\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ecdc ng\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u1ea1i, nh\u01b0 \u0111o\u1ea1n k\u1ebft c\u1ee7a b\u00e0i n\u00f3i.<\/p>\n

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Learn to code, the hard\u00a0way<\/h1>\n

These quick tricks will make learning to code as difficult and unrewarding as possible! *<\/h2>\n

Warning: contains satire\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A pinch of salt\u2026 Photo by\u00a0Mira Bozhko<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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1. Pick a really difficult language<\/h3>\n

Make sure to choose a difficult programming language. This will really set back your learn-to-code journey before it\u2019s even started.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t take any chances here. You may have heard some folks say that C++ or Java are challenging for beginners. But,\u00a0even these can be mastered with a little extra patience and perseverance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you could pick up an old-fashioned language, like\u00a0COBOL<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0PL\/I<\/a>. Or how about something really low level like\u00a0assembly<\/a>, or even\u00a0machine code<\/a>?<\/p>\n

For a certain bet, why not try an esoteric language like\u00a0Malbolge<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Befunge<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0INTERCAL<\/a>? Starting out with one of these languages will set you back several years already. Plus, their lack of job prospects will thoroughly demotivate you.<\/p>\n

Whatever you do,\u00a0don\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0pick a modern, accessible and universally used language like JavaScript or Python or Ruby<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They might be in great demand<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and have countless\u00a0free learning resources out there on the web<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>They may have\u00a0large, supportive communities of fellow learners<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

But where\u2019s the\u00a0struggle<\/em>\u00a0in all that?<\/p>\n

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If learning to code doesn\u2019t make you melancholy, you\u2019re doing it wrong. Photo by\u00a0Ethan Sykes<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Set up a nightmare coding environment<\/h3>\n

You may have heard of various text editors and IDEs (integrated development environments) that can be downloaded or trialled for free. Examples include Sublime, Atom, VSCode, IntelliJ,\u2026\u00a0and many more besides<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some people argue\u00a0these can make writing code much more convenient and productive<\/strong>. Ignore these people.<\/p>\n

Sure\u2026\u00a0autocompletion, syntax highlighting, code-linting, and access to all kinds of extension packages<\/strong>\u00a0all<\/strong>\u00a0sound\u00a0<\/em>like they\u2019ll\u00a0make coding easier<\/strong>. But the reality is completely different. No one who really knows how to write software needs to use them.<\/p>\n

The fact that\u00a0these editors and IDEs are widely used throughout industry by pros and experienced developers<\/strong>\u00a0is irrelevant. It must be some kind of massive conspiracy, funded by Big Tech\u2122 no doubt.<\/p>\n

Terminal-based editors, like\u00a0Vim or Emacs<\/strong><\/a>, are often cited as difficult to learn.\u00a0<\/strong>However, even these can be learned with practice<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

For a more challenging development environment, try Windows Notepad. Even better, turn your keyboard upside down and unplug your monitor.<\/p>\n

Or, maybe you prefer this setup:<\/p>\n

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Via\u00a0https:\/\/xkcd.com\/378\/<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Tackle major projects early\u00a0on<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re serious about learning to code, then everyone knows you should make world record progress.<\/p>\n

After all, you should be able to build a realtime, distributed video and movie streaming platform within the first week, add an AI powered recommendation system after week two, and launch a zeitgeist-shifting, multi-billion dollar valued tech company within a month or so. Give or take a few days for hiring and firing.<\/p>\n

And anyway, it\u2019s not like\u00a0there are many examples of beginner-friendly, step-by-step learning projects out there<\/strong><\/a>. Nor is it\u00a0as easy as it has ever been to start contributing to popular, open-source projects<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

So definitely\u00a0don\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0bother with that.<\/p>\n

4. Never, ever ask for\u00a0help<\/h3>\n

Despite its common, everyday meaning, in software development the word \u201cbeginner\u201d actually refers to someone born with many years worth of experience and programming knowledge.<\/p>\n

This is why\u00a0real<\/em>\u00a0programmers never need to ask for help.<\/p>\n

Plus, being new to something is a classic sign of weakness.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t want to look weak, so don\u2019t go asking for help when you think you might need it. Why make progress when you can learn the hard way?<\/p>\n

Q&A websites such as\u00a0StackOverflow may seem full of developers of all experience levels answering each other\u2019s questions<\/strong><\/a>. But what do they\u00a0actually\u00a0<\/em>know?<\/p>\n

Admittedly, many of them are\u00a0software pros with expert knowledge they want to share with programmers at all stages<\/strong><\/a>. But they\u2019re absolutely not helping out\u00a0real<\/em>\u00a0programmers\u2026 whatever that actually means.<\/p>\n

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Learning web development? Don\u2019t be asking for any help now\u2026 Photo by\u00a0Kobu Agency<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Take frequent six month\u00a0breaks<\/h3>\n

You know what\u2019s harder than learning to code?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s learning to code in two hour bursts, with six month breaks in between sessions.<\/p>\n

Everyone knows the key to succeeding in any pursuit is inconsistency. Some people claim that\u00a0practicing \u201clittle and often\u201d is the best way to learn a new skill<\/strong><\/a>. These are usually the same people who say\u00a0even 20 minutes a day can make a difference<\/strong><\/a>. They are wrong on both counts.<\/span><\/p>\n

A long, six month break is the perfect amount of time to completely forget what you learned previously. If you can\u2019t manage six months, then aim for at least three or four.<\/p>\n

Just\u00a0don\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0get into a regular habit of making learning part of your normal routine<\/strong><\/a>. Routine tasks include brushing your teeth, tying your shoes, and flushing the toilet.<\/p>\n

No one ever got good at these things by doing them every single day.<\/p>\n

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You never got good at this by practicing every day. Photo by\u00a0Nathan Dumlao<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Don\u2019t read around the\u00a0topic<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a well known drawback of the Internet Age\u200a\u2014\u200athere simply aren\u2019t enough things to read, watch, and listen to online.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you\u2019ve heard of these so-called \u2018blogs<\/a>\u2019, \u2018online publications<\/a>\u2019, \u2018news websites<\/a>\u2019, \u2018podcasts<\/a>\u2019 and \u2018video tutorials<\/a>\u2019. The bad news is, I have checked and can confirm they simply don\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n

Besides, does anyone\u00a0seriously<\/em>\u00a0believe that\u00a0reading around a topic helps you develop a broader understanding<\/strong><\/a>? Or that\u00a0chance articles can spark your interest in directions you may never have considered otherwise<\/strong><\/a>?<\/p>\n

And even if these mythical resources did exist, who\u2019s to say\u00a0they\u2019d be high-quality<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>written by experts<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>and very often\u00a0<\/strong>entirely free<\/strong><\/a>?<\/p>\n

Perhaps you\u2019re tempted to\u00a0visit a bookstore or a library<\/strong>\u00a0instead?<\/p>\n

Well, bad news again. No one prints physical books anymore, because no one reads them. The Internet killed them off.\u00a0Or did it<\/a>?<\/p>\n

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Interesting books and blogs exist only in stock photos. Photo by\u00a0Anete L\u016bsi\u0146a<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Avoid interacting with more experienced programmers<\/h3>\n

The number one rule of learning anything is \u201cstay clear of experts\u201d.<\/p>\n

This is because most experts have short memories, and cannot remember what it was like when they were just starting out. It\u2019s not their fault. Their brains are just too full of stuff you don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

Experience is overrated anyhow\u2026 right?\u00a0Right<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Many folks say\u00a0pair programming is a great way of learning tricks and tips from more experienced developers<\/strong><\/a>. In reality, you\u2019re more likely to pick up their bad habits\/poor posture\/cynical worldview.<\/p>\n

Also, think back to the last time someone looked up to you enough to ask your advice on something they cared about. Remember how\u00a0awful<\/em>\u00a0it made you feel?<\/p>\n

So, do you really think\u00a0experienced developers like talking about what they do<\/strong>? Of course not. They\u00a0resent<\/em>\u00a0people who\u00a0ask all the same questions they had when they started out<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Are these guys pair programming? No. Photo by\u00a0Helloquence<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Stay away from internships and job applications<\/h3>\n

Lastly, be sure to avoid Googling for internships and entry-level developer jobs in your area.<\/p>\n

Certainly don\u2019t apply for anything until you\u2019ve authored the code used for a successful moon-landing, and can land a handwritten joint reference from Bill Gates and Tim Cook. Even then, think twice.<\/p>\n

OK, so internships can\u00a0provide real world experience of working in software as part of a team<\/strong>.<\/a>\u00a0They can\u00a0let you get real feedback on how you are progressing<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>They can also\u00a0<\/strong>help you decide if you are ready for a particular job role<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

But! You have been\u00a0misled<\/em>\u00a0if you think any of that will be useful to you as a professional developer.<\/p>\n

Everyone knows that interns are a cheaper alternative to hiring an in-office barista. In reality, you\u2019ll spend all your time brewing coffee. Remember, all the\u00a0successful learn-to-code stories you have read<\/a>\u00a0omit this crucial detail.<\/p>\n

Similarly, applying for jobs is a\u00a0terrible<\/em>\u00a0idea.<\/p>\n

Yes, it is true that\u00a0looking at job applications can help you gauge which skills you should focus on developing next<\/strong><\/a>. But remember, companies always want you to be an expert at a hundred more skills than you can fit onto your resum\u00e9\/CV, so this will be a never-ending process.<\/p>\n

Even if you do apply for a job and get invited to an interview, be sure to decline. Interviews are scary, and never\u00a0get easier with practice and experience<\/strong><\/a>. A much safer bet is to shut your eyes and wait for the jobs to come to you.<\/p>\n

Definitely\u00a0don\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0put yourself out there and aim high<\/strong><\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Postscript<\/h3>\n

*Of course, if for some reason you wish to learn to code the easy way, follow the exact opposite of this advice.<\/p>\n

Or maybe read just\u00a0the bits in bold<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n

Pick a modern, accessible and universally used language like JavaScript or Python or\u00a0Ruby.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u2026 editors and IDEs are widely used throughout industry by pros and experienced developers<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Autocompletion, syntax highlighting, code-linting, and access to all kinds of extension packages all\u00a0\u2026 make coding\u00a0easier<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are many beginner-friendly, step-by-step learning projects out\u00a0there<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is as easy as it has ever been to start contributing to popular, open-source projects<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

StackOverflow\u2026 full of developers of all experience levels answering each other\u2019s questions\u2026<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u2026software pros with expert knowledge they want to share with programmers at all\u00a0stages<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Practicing \u2018little and often\u2019 is the best way to learn a new\u00a0skill<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Even 20 minutes a day can make a difference<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Get into a regular habit of making learning part of your normal\u00a0routine<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Reading around a topic helps you develop a broader understanding<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Chance articles can spark your interest in directions you may never have considered otherwise<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They can be high-quality, written by experts, and very often entirely\u00a0free<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Visit a bookstore or a\u00a0library<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Pair programming is a great way of learning tricks and tips from more experienced developers<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Experienced developers like talking about what they\u00a0do<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ask all the same questions they had when they were starting\u00a0out<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Internships can<\/strong>\u00a0provide real world experience of working in software as part of a team<\/strong>.\u00a0They can let you get real feedback on how you are progressing. They can also help you decide if you are ready for a particular job\u00a0role<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Looking at job applications can help you gauge which skills you should focus on developing next<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Interviews\u2026 get easier with practice and experience<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Put yourself out there and aim\u00a0high!<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks for reading!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Source: Learn to code, the hard way \u2013 freeCodeCamp.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

B\u00e0i n\u00e0y vi\u1ebft tr\u00e0o ph\u00fang, mu\u1ed1n h\u1ecdc l\u1eadp tr\u00ecnh th\u00ec c\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ecdc ng\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u1ea1i, nh\u01b0 \u0111o\u1ea1n k\u1ebft c\u1ee7a b\u00e0i n\u00f3i. Learn to code, the hard\u00a0way These quick tricks will make learning to code as difficult and unrewarding as possible! *<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[30],"tags":[511,47],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8jhJx-kV","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1297"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1297"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1297\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1298,"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1297\/revisions\/1298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rosetta.vn\/short\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}