What is the best way to learn programming for newbies and actually be good at it?

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OldBrit · 61-69, M

While it's over 40 years ago I learnt. The thing I found invaluable was learning assembler code and how machines actually worked while also learning a 3GL - I originally started with Pascal and Coral 66.

I would recommend starting with C++ as that's really versatile and with pointers versus variables etc allows you to learn about dynamic data storage, manipulation, linkage etc.

Rilyn · 31-35, F

@OldBrit Id recommend Python a lot more to be honest....

OldBrit · 61-69, M

@Rilyn python makes stuff a lot easier but if you want to understand what's happening at a machine level C exposes that more but that makes coding need more attention to detail. Ie you have to manage memory allocation etc rather than have the language take care of it.

So I'm suggesting that as the OP wanted to be "good at it". If you're good in C you'll be good in Python. I'm not sure the opposite is true.

Rilyn · 31-35, F

@OldBrit But shes beginner level yes? Of course im covering all languages so Ill have no issue with it eventually. But starting small is the best route. And every learner has different ways of learning and maybe longer time frames.