Q&A for How to Learn a Programming Language

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Can a self taught programmer get a job?

Stephen Cognetta, MBA
Computer Engineer
Stephen Cognetta is the co-founder and CEO of Exponent, a learning platform that helps people prepare for and ace their tech interviews. Stephen specializes in coaching for product management, software engineering, product marketing, management, technical project management, and data science interviews. Stephen holds a BS in Computer Engineering from Princeton University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and an MBA from Stanford University. Prior to founding Exponent, Stephen worked as a Product Manager for Google and co-founded HackMentalHealth.

Stephen Cognetta, MBA

Computer Engineer

Expert Answer

There are a lot of different opportunities for software engineering education, and a mix of all these approaches can be very effective in finding a job. There are a lot of resources online that can be great to prepare for a coding interview. You can also try coding bootcamps, reaching out to a mentor, and even working in a customer service role in a tech company to learn more about the field and make the transition easier.

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Can I learn programming by myself?

Stephen Cognetta, MBA
Computer Engineer
Stephen Cognetta is the co-founder and CEO of Exponent, a learning platform that helps people prepare for and ace their tech interviews. Stephen specializes in coaching for product management, software engineering, product marketing, management, technical project management, and data science interviews. Stephen holds a BS in Computer Engineering from Princeton University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and an MBA from Stanford University. Prior to founding Exponent, Stephen worked as a Product Manager for Google and co-founded HackMentalHealth.

Stephen Cognetta, MBA

Computer Engineer

Expert Answer

Teaching yourself programming is one of many avenues to gain an education in software engineering. If you'd like to start learning, find resources online like Free Code Camp. These can help you practice coding questions and programming skills.

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How can I improve my programming concepts?

Community Answer

Practice as much as possible!

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Is C and C+ knowledge required while learning Java?

Community Answer

It may be helpful, but it is not required.

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What is the best online tutorial for learning java?

Community Answer

Search edx, coursera or udacity. You will find many interesting courses. Use codingbat online judge to practice the concepts you learn.

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Can I learn a programming language without a book?

Community Answer

Yes. There are many free and low-cost courses online that will teach you a programming language at your own pace and without a book.

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How can I learn basic programming online?

Community Answer

Try Khan Academy's Intro to JS course. The course is very user-friendly and gives you all the basic programming ideas. Bear in mind that this is not a "drag and drop" programming course, it will actually teach you how to program in JavaScript and ProcessingJS, but it will assume that you have never programmed in any language at all.

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Can programming be learned by teaching oneself without access to books or other tools?

Community Answer

You can teach yourself, but will need some resource, whether it's a book or an online resource. It's like learning a foreign language - you have to learn the specific vocabulary, grammar, rules, etc., of the language. It's not something you can simply 'figure out' from your own head, unless you want to create your very own language (but even then, it would be better to first know existing languages).

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How do I pick a programming language and stick with it?

Community Answer

Start with the easier ones like Python and Ruby and as your confidence and knowledge grows in those ones, you move on to more complicated ones.

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Can you learn Java without knowing C or C++?

Community Answer

Of course you can. In fact, many people find it much easier. Just try it out, and start with the basics. They are fairly similar languages, and most concepts you'll learn are going to be applied to pretty much any language. Have fun with it.

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Question

Could I use a programming language to create artificial intelligence?

Community Answer

Yes you can. It is not it is easy but there isn't a reason that y couldn't. You'll just have a lot of work to do before actually being able to create AI and probably you'll encounter a lot of problems along the way but they'll all be learning opportunities.

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I want to study basics of C and Java languages. Where should I start?

Community Answer

Some sites, such as Codeacademy, offer free interactive courses in programming languages.

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Question

How long will it take to program a successful game or app?

Kristian818

Community Answer

It really depends on the complexity of the game/app. You can make "successful" small programs in a few hours, but they will be very basic. It will take a long time if you are new to programming to make a game or an app.

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Question

Which are the easy programming languages?

Community Answer

Any programming language will take some time to understand, just like communicating with other people who speak a different language than you do. It really should depend on what you want to use it for. If you want to learn programming, there's a great book called Computer Programming 101 that explains the different languages and what they are used for.

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How do I start programming as an IT student?

Community Answer

Study algorithm first with Raptor software, then you can apply your skill in algorithm to any program language.

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Question

I don't know the minimum basic fundamentals of programming language. Can you give me advice on how to learn?

Community Answer

There are a lot of online tutorials, for almost any programming language out there. There are also a lot of videos and books. Many of them start from the real basics. Start by looking on wikiHow, then check out free online tutorials and MOOCs for good source material to help you.

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Question

Is Oracle is good for studying Java?

Community Answer

Yes, because Oracle owns Java.

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Question

Can I learn C++ without any programming knowledge?

Community Answer

I highly recommend you learn a simpler language first, such as Python or VB.Net. Starting from C++ will be difficult, as it is more complicated - but it can be done.

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Question

What languages are used in AI?

Community Answer

Python and C++ are regularly used; however, for AI, there are a lot of small languages based on other languages (kind of like dialects). Research a bit more into it, but you can start with these two.

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What is the best programming language to use to be a good hacker?

Community Answer

C is considered to be the best programming language because of its flexible use.

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Can you recommend the best website to learn Python?

Community Answer

Websites such as Codecademy.com and Sololearn.com offer free, interactive lessons that help you a lot in learning the language.

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How do I develop logic for a programming language?

Community Answer

Keep practicing and keep learning about the programming language, or get help from a friend.

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I don't even know the basics when it comes to computers, but I want to develop software, websites, etc. How do I start?

Community Answer

There are a lot of websites for learn programming, like Code Academy, Khan Academy etc. I have used Sololearn and it's really helped me. There are also a lot of good tutorials on YouTube as well.

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If I Learned C/C+ as my first language, what is the second can I learn?

Community Answer

C and C++ are different languages. C and C++ are very complex languages to learn. I would recommend learning HTML as a first language, then move onto CSS, then to JavaScript.

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I've learned C and C+. I need a job as a programmer, so then which other language should I learn?

Community Answer

Java is the most used, so try that next.

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What is the best online tutorial for learning Python?

Community Answer

Check learnpython.org or codeacedemy.com.

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I am planning to learn both Python and Java. Would I benefit from learning one before the other?

Community Answer

Focus on Python more first, as it is much easier to code on, and you will get an idea of how other languages are used to program, too.

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Question

How do I develop an Android app if I am a beginner?

Community Answer

Learn to use Unity to develop mobile games.

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How can I remember everything and not be confused with programming logic?

Community Answer

Learn the concepts one at a time. Don't rush through, slow and steady and you'll get there.

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Question

Could I learn 2 or more programming languages at a time by myself?

bless darah

Community Answer

Sure! When it comes to programming in general, know one language well and the rest will follow. Stick to one language and master it well; from there, you're good to go with whatever language you want. Your choice of language should be based on what you want to do. For general purpose software development, learn Java. For web-based applications, the best programming language to get you started will be JavaScript, though you'll need a knowledge of HTML and CSS.

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