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Connor Patrick
1,083 PointsCompletely new to coding, where do I start?
I am completely new to coding (besides some of the basic videos on here a couple of years ago) and was wondering if anyone with experience can lead me in the direction that they might've wished they had taken when they first started out. Within Treehouse's 'Tracks' there are stacks of courses that are listed as the most popular for new students, but I'm wondering if anyone can tell me exactly where to start building my foundation in computer science education and the whys behind the suggestions. I'm also currently back in college to finish my undergrad and am taking their intro to comp sci course with the possibility of majoring in it, but I still haven't decided. I appreciate any feedback!
adrian miranda
13,561 PointsAs Thom said already, if you can't decide, I think python is probably the best way to get started. It's an easy to learn language, while still being very powerful. It's one of the most widely used languages today. I would suggest starting with the Beginning Python here, and go from there.
And don't forget to have fun!
2 Answers
Steven Parker
231,184 PointsThe previous advice about picking a target study objective would definitely help in determining your next steps. If you really have no idea how you want to apply your skills yet, you might consider JavaScript. It's reasonably easy (though not quite as easy as Python), but it happens to be the most widely used computer language in the world today. It's essential for front-end web applications but is also being used increasingly in the back-end and for non-web applications as well.
Beginning JavaScript will get you started, and you can go on to Full Stack JavaScript after that.
Fernando Boza
25,384 PointsI agree, javascript is a great language to learn the basics/intermediate concepts of CS, then for more performance you could look into Swift, C#, Java (my preference) as you do this, then you should look into the CS courses like Algorithms, etc as this would give you a better understanding, but above all this, i can personally tell you as important it is to follow the tracks and courses, you have to get your hands dirty and build something on your own. This is where you start very small and build from there and exercise all that you have learned.
Connor Patrick
1,083 PointsI sincerely appreciate all of your guys' suggestions! As I'm still not sure what direct pathway I want to pursue in the field, I'll start with Python then move into JavaScript, then possibly Swift and Algorithms such as advised. Maybe I'll post an update a month or so from now to let you know where I ended up and how I'm doing? Thanks again!!
Thom Benjamin
10,494 PointsThom Benjamin
10,494 PointsDepends what you want to do. Make iPhone apps? Start with Swift. Make websites? Start with the Web Dev track. If you can't decide you might start with Python. It's easy to learn, used for desktop apps as well as web apps and the Algorithm course (which is really important and overlooked if you want to get a job as a programmer) is explained using Python.
For me my favourite language is Swift, as it's beautiful and modern. But I am a web developer so the language I used most often and I'm most thankful to learning is JavaScript.