Brief Summary
This video shares five key insights the author wishes they knew when they started coding in 2012, which could have saved them years of learning. The advice focuses on practical approaches to learning, emphasizing project-based learning over strict adherence to fundamental theory, efficient learning of essential concepts, overcoming the fear of imperfection, prioritizing functionality over code elegance, and understanding the core purpose of coding as problem-solving.
- Learning by copying and modifying existing projects is more effective than focusing solely on fundamentals.
- Focus on mastering the 20% of fundamentals that yield 80% of the results in real projects.
- Overcome the fear of imperfection by starting small projects and learning through real problems.
- Prioritize completing projects on time with functional code over writing elegant code.
- Understand that the core skill in coding is using code to solve problems.
Learning by Imitation
The author argues that learning to code is more akin to learning a language than learning to run. Instead of mastering fundamentals first, one should start by copying and modifying existing projects. This approach allows the brain to recognize patterns, such as create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) operations, which are fundamental in most applications. This method also combats laziness by providing immediate, visible results, thus increasing motivation and curiosity. While fundamentals are important, they shouldn't be the initial focus.
Focus on the 20% of Fundamentals
The author advises against trying to master all fundamentals before moving to frameworks. Instead, focus on the 20% of fundamentals that are most frequently used in projects, such as functions, variables, arrays, methods, objects, conditions, and loops. Learning everything upfront can slow progress, especially with rapidly evolving technology. Practical application through project creation accelerates learning and provides valuable experience, which is the best teacher.
Overcoming the Fear of Imperfection
In the early stages of learning to code, the author was overwhelmed by the amount of information and feared potential problems in real projects. They realized that no one is ever fully prepared at the beginning. Starting with small projects using existing knowledge helps to learn faster by facing real-world problems. Completing these projects builds confidence, which is more valued by employers than theoretical knowledge.
Functionality Over Code Elegance
The author shares their experience of obsessing over writing clean and elegant code, sometimes missing deadlines in the process. They learned that bosses and clients prioritize project completion and user interface over code aesthetics. Writing code that works and meets deadlines is more important than whether it is clean or elegant.
Coding as Problem-Solving
The author initially thought coding skills meant memorizing syntax and writing error-free code. However, they realized that real projects start with solving a problem, whether for a company or the community. The ability to use code to solve problems is the true skill of programming. Examples include POS systems for faster transactions and e-commerce platforms for safe online transactions.
