Programming class

[matt_arnold]

I hope to audit a Python class, or at least some type of introductory programming class, in the evenings and weekends. Do you know any you can recommend?

How about flashcards? Do those help for learning the vocabulary and rules of a computer language?

For years, I have gone back and forth on the issue of learning a programming language. At first, I

Comments

[elizilla]

Matt, flash cards are not useful IMHO. What you need from a programming language, is the habit of mind that allows you to break a task down into individual steps, and figure out what order to do them in. The real heart of programming is theoretical. The commands and syntax are just a means to an end. Once you have a grasp of the theory, you can learn any language pretty quickly, at least well enough to look up the commands you need and get along in it.

[matt_arnold]

Thanks, I see. The theoretical heart presents no problem though. I think I already have the habit of mind that turns things into flowcharts. But when it comes to any specific programming language, I just keep forgetting the commands and syntax. So I look at the text, and it's a block of gibberish, so I hit a wall because I feel like I have to look up all the tabs, words, and punctuation all over again. I guess my experience has been the inverse of yours.

I've been considering giving myself some practice by transforming this decision tree that I wrote into Python using this page.

[wormquartet]

What he said.

-=ShoEboX=-

[matt_arnold]

In any given learning session, it's just too daunting to relearn all the terminology I've forgotten since the last one. Ever had that experience?

When I attempt to read a piece of code, or want to figure out what punctuation error is causing my code to not run, it makes sense to look something up on the web. But that doesn't help if, during the interval since the last time I studied, I have forgotten the meaning of the words used in the help file.

I have a concept clearly in my mind, which is the thing between the parenthesis. I remember more or less what it is for. I just can't remember if the word for it is "parameter" or "argument". So I'm not sure what the help file is referring to by those words.

My solution is to create flashcard sets in Quizlet.com for Python programming using the glossaries of the chapters in "How To Think Like A Python Programmer". I've also made a set of most of the keywords and punctuation. Once the difference between the word "parameter" and the word "argument", the word "method" and the word "function

[jer_]

I would like to point out one thing you might run into a roadblock on:
I won't be the best, but I don't need to be. When others are taking a break, I just need to keep a project moving under my own power, no matter how slowly.

Realize that most of the time, if you take on a project to keep it moving.. you now own the project. Most programmers that I know would be loathe to allow a beginner programmer to poke at their code for a while, then take it back over.

More importantly, it takes more skill than most beginners have to be part of a multi-person coding project. You have to not only be able to code, but to code in varying styles, following varying conventions... and that's all pretty tough for a newcomer.

A more realistic goal would be to learn to program so that you could write your own stuff if you wanted something done... top to bottom... or to maintain that which has already been written.

Further, knowing how to code will certainly help when trying to describe to another programmer what it is you need done.

[matt_arnold]

True. Baby steps into the elevator, Doctor Marvin.

[jer_]

:)

[matt_arnold]

For me, it's the specifics that are the hard part.

One of my best friends in college was a comp sci major. We used to work on game ideas together. I described my ideas to him in terms of conditionals, variables, and loops, he said I was a natural. He never did program any of my games, though.

[dragonsmith0]

You are the PERFECT guy to do programming! Consider it a way to play God in an environment...you control the horizontal, you control the vertical. Nothing quite like being able to change stuff to your specs. Muhahaahaha!! You can have fun with it for sure and do use the flash cards. Just like any other language you learn, start with words and then build sentences.

One day I may get back into it myself. Used to enjoy it quite a bit.

Ta for now

[dragonsmith0]

I have another idea for you. There is a pseudo-code flow system out there that is used regularly for non-coders. It is great if you don't want or can't learn multiple languages because it is a function based system. Kind of like blocking for plays or movies. You can learn the one standard system that is easy to understand and it can be translated into any other programs by the guys in the know. I used it several times while trying to build applications for business groups that had no idea what was involved in getting the job done. Of course I can't remember the name of it at this time...overwrote that memory address hahaha. Good stuff though. I will update when I find it again.

DS