How do you overcome programming language challenges?

On the flip side, I’ve found when learning a language, it can be helpful to learn while building something. Whether that’s trying to build project or following along with a tutorial, it can be helpful to apply what you learn immediately! Granted, you should still first learn the basic syntax and have a good grasp of programming fundamentals before this

To be honest, the most effective method for me is to write short articles about the different concepts / features of the language. This forces me to really understand what they are / what they do as opposed to 'passively' watching tutorials and not really taking in the information.

Resilience is one of the key to overcome programming challenges. Nothing seems very new in the world of technology. What is changing is syntax, semantic, logic and algorithm/flowchart. Recently, I have a request from one of my client trying to renew their TLs/SSL certification mapped through NGINX Web Server. To be sincere, needful have done by the Client but the new certificate did not get impacted after several restart, placing and re-placing of the new valid certificate. Guest what? I have to remove all the certificate(both old and new) and restart the NGINX for the service to clean-up and throw error of missing file. Luckily, my assumption work and NGINX throw an error of missing old certificate, new one place and all is well thereafter

I have found that running through logic and studying it actually helps out a lot. At the end of the day, programming follows a certain logic set, a combimation of if, then, else statements 😂. Getting to know the basics of programming and design and the fundamentals will help you learn any language quickly.

When I began learning Ruby, I rushed into a project without grasping its basics. My code was riddled with errors and confusion. Realizing my mistake, I dedicated time to study Ruby's syntax, data structures, and core concepts. I delved into the official Ruby documentation and followed beginner tutorials. As I honed my understanding of Ruby's fundamentals, I returned to my project. This time, I wrote code confidently and effectively, leveraging Ruby's built-in methods and idiomatic practices. This experience underscored the importance of mastering a language's basics. It not only led to successful project completion but also laid a strong foundation for tackling more complex Ruby challenges in the future.

The challenge we face is mostly regarding practical knowledge of the concepts. We focus mostly on the theoretical part while learning new things or programming languages. We have to practice more about what we are learning and reading mostly. We should focus on building blocks of the programming language because all the advanced concepts are built on top of basic ones.

It is always recommended to start any programming language with its basics. When starting a new language, refer to a roadmap, which is readily available on the internet. Start with the fundamentals, then move up with doing some practice, and exploring data structures. Once you are done with the concepts, it is then time to apply those concepts. Start with a mini project. A project will help in understanding the concepts more precisely and will give an idea about the real-world applications.

If you are already familiar with another programming language, try to exercise by converting something you've built before to this new programming language. This way, you can understand how some features correlate to each other and how you can best explore this new programming language to achieve the same thing you did before.

One way I learned the basics was by following step by step tutorials of various programming languages, where I would actually build something at the end of the tutorial. The hands on act of building programs helped me really grasp the basics.

The one thing which I believe helps is : Taking a Use case on a small scale based upon the language of choice to learn and start building. The more you work on doing instead of reading will help. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need to understand the concept by reading about it, but this way you will learn what you need.

The online community is the best community when starting with programming. Almost everything is free. You are free to use the documentation, tutorials, video lectures, compilers, and everything that you need. You can always refer to official documentation for a detailed description of the concept, refer TutorialsPoint, Geeks for Geeks, and other websites for programming examples and concepts, HackerEarth, Hackerrank for programming practice, Stack Overflow to solve any problems.

The first thing to check is whether a language has a sufficient programmer base for you to be able to solve your problems (especially in critical environments). If one day you have a particular problem (e.g. a strange compilation error) you will easily find (e.g. via Google) who can help you? If the answer is yes it's a good language, otherwise discard it and wait for someone to create the basis.

When I decided to learn Ruby, I knew that online resources would be my lifeline. So, I turned to online platforms like Codecademy and Ruby's official documentation. Codecademy's interactive Ruby course provided hands-on practice that helped me grasp the basics quickly. Whenever I encountered challenges or needed clarification, the Ruby community on Stack Overflow was an invaluable resource. As I progressed, I joined Ruby forums and participated in online coding challenges. These interactions not only improved my coding skills but also connected me with experienced Rubyists who offered guidance. Learning this versatile language became an exciting journey, thanks to the wealth of resources available online.

Online resources are invaluable for programmers facing challenges or learning new skills. Sites like Stack Overflow connect developers worldwide, enabling real-time troubleshooting and support. When debugging, I can often find solutions by searching Stack Overflow, saving immense time. GitHub allows me to study millions of code repositories to see how others have solved related problems, improving my abilities. Testing myself on sites like CodePen provides feedback to advance my skills. With so much collective knowledge accessible online, I can expand my programming horizons daily. These resources transform coding challenges into rewarding learning experiences.

ChatGPT also comes in handy from time to time. Sometimes when I get stuck on a bug and need to figure out the source, I use ChatGPT to get me started on how I can go about solving it. It is not perfect, but sometimes it works like a charm. It’s just another tool that can be added to the arsenal.

We are so blessed with what you can find online now! I started out in the 80s without the internet, incredibly basic (pun intended!) computers and very limited documentation. I'm still learning today and so grateful for what is out there.

Being able to leverage online resources effectively is an essential skill for programmers. In my personal experience nowadays, my initial preference is to consult ChatGPT to obtain a concise summary of a concept, and I find it to be significantly more efficient compared to traditional websites.

Leveraging online resources to learn for a new developer is very advantageous, there are lots of resources at the disposal of the learner, but this also will pose a problem where the learner digests multiple information from different resources. There's a slight chance that the learner might get lost, so as much as a learner should learn from online resources the discipline to digest information from a unique source should also be emphasized. I would say as a new developer, stick to a specific platform. Furthermore before choosing your resources do an indepth overview, ask for recommendations and make a poll, before taking a decision.

I find that using AI models helps a ton as well since they give feedback faster and it's easier to get to the solution. Sometimes it's not enough so you must use forums and ask people, but most of the time it works.

Learn how to ask a good question. If asking a question, make sure you can reduce the problem down to its bare reproducible. Much of the time you'll likely solve the problem yourself as you do this. One of the skills to learn is how to look at an error message and anticipate which parts are variable, and which parts are static strings (and can be found in the source code).

It might sound cliche, but to learn a programming language, your fingers have to be moving. Don't just spend your time reading a textbook or reading walls of text. Once you've covered a topic, open up your favorite IDE, and start implementing the logic you've just learned. When you get something to work, start editing the code and see how the changes you made affect the code. This will really solidify your knowledge in what you've just learned!

I think that the best developers see programming as a calling; much like a musician. Great musicians don't see practice as a chore, instead it draws them in, soothes them can even bring them to a meditative state(!) and I feel similarly about programming - and have an almost endless list of things I'd like to explore in code! And as you spend time doing this, you will inevitably become better.

If you want to learn a programming language then practice is number 1, but if you can get into a flow state easily while programming then forget about practice and let the flow guide you. At that point it's no longer practice.

Having a small personal project or contributing to open source one to learn new programming language will help you to master the language. It is never enough to just learn the concept and syntax without having hands-on experience.

It is never enough just to learn the concept. Learning the concepts and applying them in the real world are very different, and later have more value. Challenge yourself, and try to solve problems daily. Increase the level of difficulty.

To really master a programming language you need to understand why it exists and practice it a lot. Being a great programmer also involves being able to materialize your ideas and thoughts into code as correct and fast as you can. The best programmers I know are really fast at typing and modeling their ideas into code. And there's no secret, you need to practice regularly to be able to achieve mastery.

Yes, To excel in a programming language, combine theory with hands-on practice. Start by grasping the language's fundamentals, akin to studying a textbook. Then, immerse yourself in practical coding. Open your IDE and apply what you've learned. Experiment, edit, and adapt your code to see how it responds. This hands-on experience is crucial for mastery. Additionally, engage with the programming community. Collaborate on projects, discuss ideas, and learn from others. This holistic approach, blending theory, practice, and collaboration, is your path to becoming a skilled programmer.

Consistency is key when learning to code. Small, daily practice sessions make a big difference over time. Supplementing larger projects with bite-sized coding challenges reinforces new concepts through low-stakes experimentation. Contributing to open source, even with fixes like documentation, provides real-world practice. Overall, an active practice approach has taught me to use languages more flexibly and creatively versus passive learning. Programming comes alive through daily use and application. Investing time pays off in fluency and confidence. So block off time to code every day, take on new challenges, and keep actively honing your skills.

Nothing takes away the place of constant practice, programming requires lots of practice. There are lots of concepts and constructs within the programming environment, practice with them, loops, conditionals, how to write functions, data structures, implement algorithms and try out coding challenges, these will keep you updated and ready to build amazing products.

You don't need to master a programming language... not most of the time anyway, so don't let mastery get in the way of solving your problem. Instead you need to be able to deliver value (changes) in a project safely. As someone who has often picked up a new language while working on a deliverable, I can say that embracing testability of your code is the shortest way to gaining confidence, because it allows you the ability to refactor with confidence. And if you need to ask for help, your problem domain should already be quite small.

I would add to this that attending conferences and user group meetings dedicated to the language is a great way to learn best practices and useful techniques from experienced developers, gives ample opportunities to expand your network, seek mentors and get involved in the community.

I find it really useful to immerse myself into a programming language community by joining its forums and Discord channel. Being in contact with the community and seeing what are people discussing and asking questions about really helps me understand what's the current status and where the language is going.

One of the most useful types of community activities I have used are developers on YouTube doing code-reviews ("code-roasts") where they then go on to refactor and improve the code. This is a good way to experience idiomatic code, and also to expose yourself to the library ecosystem of the language. If keeping up with a language is important for you, look for suitable podcasts (great to listen to while getting some exercise).

Being part of a programmers' group is immensely helpful for overcoming challenges and staying motivated. Websites like Reddit have specialized communities where I can ask programming-related questions. I always get thoughtful answers and encouragement. Meeting local programming groups in person provides similar support, connecting with other programmers to share ideas and strategies. Observing experienced developers' code organization has accelerated my progress. Contributing to open source projects improves skills and fosters community. Surrounding myself with passionate programmers keeps me engaged and learning. It's rewarding to receive support during coding challenges and help others.

It’s also very motivating to have people close to you who are also within the programming space. People you can call friends. They help to push you forward, teach you new things, and share relevant opportunities with you, especially when they know what you’re good at. Also, whenever a friend, or anyone for that matter, comes to you with a programming issue, take a stab at solving it. It will not only help you learn more, but it will also help you form better connections as you become a reliable programmer.

Joining a community helps build exposure and a network of like minds, it creates an avenue for opportunities. A community serves as a backup, problems also can be communicated in a community where some who are more advanced can help solve the problem, also it creates an avenue to find mentorship. Mentors are very important in programming, as you can learn from their wealth of experience, all they need to do is point in the right direction.

Aim to both broaden and deepen and your skill-set to become a great 'T-shaped' engineer. Eg. if you're a Frontend web-developer, challenge yourself to learn more about web-engineering, database, DevOps or security skills. This helps you develop a deeper understanding of the system and predict behaviour / risk and work more effectively with other teams.

Yes, having a goal to sharpen our skills would be much better since we are looking to solve a problem or challenge. Also, this situation will help the individual to solve small tasks that will contribute to solving the main goal. At least for me, this helped me to improve my coding skills.

While learning a new skill, library, or framework can be time-consuming and sometimes challenging, it's important to keep up-to-date! Sometimes, you can just scratch the surface on a new language (e.g., Golang), so you have an understanding of the pros and cons it has to offer. At one of the companies I previously worked at, I took some time to learn about AWS Cognito and it ended up being the technology the company adopted for its authentication service, which required very specific user flows. Pro Tip: Get a Medium subscription and start collecting articles of interest! You can save them and read them or listen to them during a commute or on your free time.

I learn regularly to keep up with programming changes. I follow developers and companies in my field to stay updated. Industry blogs and newsletters inform me about in-demand skills. I take online courses every quarter. I compare my skills to job postings to find gaps. I fill gaps with certifications and training. Contributing to open source projects exposes me to new technologies. Consistent learning helps me adapt quickly. It's empowering to be prepared with up-to-date skills. Consistency is important in the fast-paced programming world. Improve both technical and interpersonal skills consistently for new opportunities and overcoming challenges.

Other contributors have talked about books, tutorials, You Tube videos, the community. All excellent advice. How do you get off the starting block? I would say begin by making a conscious decision to put in some time every day digging into the programming language. Even if you commence with just 30 minutes at a time and build up on it. Nurture that burning desire to improve thyself. Passion and desire for what you do cannot be overestimated and propels a learner an astonishingly long way. Finally, I would state that it is important to not get overwhelmed in the beginning or even midway through this exciting journey. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu profoundly put it; "There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time."

Programming languages evolve rapidly, to overcome language challenges, and keep your skills updated. Follow programming news, take courses, and get certifications. This expands your knowledge, enhances your resume, and opens new possibilities. It'll be very helpful in persuing your career.

I've grown a lot due to being close to very skilled people who helped me by coaching me and giving constant feedback. This is one of the most efficient ways of learning due to the fact that you can explore the mistakes of others and understand why you shouldn't do the same.

Essentially nowadays, apps are used by people in the world. The code for these apps is written by us programmers. Apart from users using our apps, there will be other programmers coming in and using our code to extend functionality and features of our apps. Fundamentally, we are responsible for doing everything to make sure that our code is upto the mark in terms of efficiency, readability and simplicity. How do we do it? We learn the language features, we code, and we keep getting hard reviews on it until the craft is perfected. I can never overestimate the importance of Code Reviews and other regular feedback.

One of the best ways I was able to grow my skills was by seeking constant feedback with my code. Whether it be a supervisor or contributions to an open source project, I found that getting multiple sources of feedback help me learn. I learn not only different perspectives of how to approach a problem, but I also learn how to fine tune my code this way.

The best way I have found to learn programming languages in general is to build one. Then you'll get to see how each feature can be implemented and why some programming languages have advantages over others when thinking about a specific scope. More so, I think it's important to help yourself to think differently. We think in the language we speak and the same happens for programming languages. So, learning new paradigms and new abstractions helps ourselves to break free from the current way of thinking we have and adds more flavors to our modeling process.

The best way to master a programming language is by getting your hands dirty to real projects. Developer can start by working on a small or personal project; then, moving to a bigger and complex ones. Contributing to open souce project would be a good way, too!

One thing I've found helpful with regards to programming languages is simply to be comfortable with the fundamentals. Not of a specific language, but rather of programming in itself. Ultimately programming is the manipulation of data at its core. Syntax may change between programming languages, but the basis will not. If you know what you're trying to accomplish, you can generally find the language specific syntax to accomplish it with relative ease. Certain tricks or language features may be lacking though, that's why it's always worth while to understand what you're doing, rather than simply relying on an external means of accomplishing it without further investigation. Use tools, but use them to save effort, not to replace it.

I’ve learned dozens of programming languages over the past 20 years and I’m still learning. When learning programming languages, the reason is always front and center. Why am I learning this language? What am I trying to accomplish? What is interesting about this language? What does it do differently that I don’t have with my current toolset? That spark ignites the drive necessary to accomplish the work that needs to be put in. Answer all those questions with answers that resonate with you and you will be able to learn any programming language.

As someone who has taught programming quite a bit, one of the most useful things I've picked up when it comes to learning (and helping others learn) new programming languages is relating its concepts to things that you are already familiar with in your life. Not only do you gain a deeper understanding of different topics, but it allows you to see the world around you from the perspective of someone who codes; when you see the world that way, you can learn more languages faster, and even come up with new ideas for incredible products.

There are many languages because each of them is suitable for doing a task. Don't use unsuitable languages: if you know Javascript, don't try to use it to create any type of application: it's not a good idea. Javascript will never do the job of C or C++ or Pascal. I have seen projects fail dramatically because the wrong language was chosen. It is important to check, if you want to create components for mission critical applications, whether the language is recommended for that area (for example medical devices). Learn new languages, but always ask yourself why you want to learn it and if it is the right one for your work sector.

Although I have used about 50 different programming languages over the past 60 years, the challenge is not just to learn the languages used by your organization, but to learn to use them effectively. Try to learn the standards or conventions used in your organization. If you are a contractor, you will find that these standards and conventions vary widely from one company to another, so be prepared for a lifetime of learning.

Learning new programming languages can be tough! 😵But with some determination and smart strategies, these challenges can be overcome. 💪 Here are my top 3 tips: Master the fundamentals first - take the time to learn syntax, structure, and key concepts. Strong basics make everything else easier! Seek out diverse resources - tutorials, courses, documentation, forums, mentors. The more quality sources the better to reinforce your knowledge. Practice, practice, practice - nothing beats hands-on coding to accelerate learning. Build mini-projects to apply what you learn. Stick with it through the tricky parts and it'll click! With experience, switching between languages gets easier too.

Gargi Tawde is right, especially from the teaching perspective. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach programming, and I found my students understood more when I was able to relate it to everyday life. Eg: “programming is simply talking to the computer. Just as we learn a human language like the English language and use that to talk to each other, we learn a programming language like C or Python and use that to talk to computers. You already know English language has its own rules for grammar and punctuation and all of that. The same applies to programming languages.” Something like that usually gets the ball rolling. TLDR: relate programming to things in everyday life. Analogies help a lot.