How To Think Like A Programmer

Learning to program is hard because programming feels different than other skills. But programming isn't about the languages - it is about the way one should think.
SPEAKER:
Andy Harris
****
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[@AndyHarrisProgramming]

Hello. I'm Andy Harris - the speaker in this video. I taped this talk at the IndyPy meeting on election night 2016 (yeah, that election night.) I had no idea this video was going to take off like this. Thank you all for your kind comments. (Even the not-so-kind comments, thanks for watching.) I had fun doing this talk, and I'm thrilled if it might help somebody else.

[@luciadippolito8559]

THANK YOU! What you teach in this video is so valuable! I probably don't have to tell you how much I'm struggling to become a software developer. Your words give me hope. I only know one more person who said the same things you teach here and he is an excellent developer for years already. I wished I could somehow learn more from you. I will watch this video again and again.

[@MrsCyImsofly]

Dude you are hilarious and so relatable. As a solutions analyst everything you said helps explain the basics of solution planning 👩🏽‍🏫👍🏼

[@Cognitoman]

I was in special ed...but I dropped out. I wish you could have been my teacher. To be honest I think a lot of people in special ed are actually smart, but they learn differently.

[@doot2359]

You are a legend ! 💪💪

[@ElectronWranglerTV]

Enjoyed your presentation Andy. Everything you said is the kind of knowledge we have but never think about until someone like you comes along and points it out, then the rest of us think "Oooohhhh yeaaahhhh, you're right." I think the best points were about shutting the laptop on students' fingers, first understanding the concepts then converting everything to code, and code naturally follows a well-written algorithm. I program primarily in various flavors of assembly, but have used many other languages, and still create old school flowcharts before writing a single line of code. I can't count the times I've had people ask why I'm bothering with flowcharts. The answer quickly comes when I've written an ISR and several related routines in assembly while they're still fumbling with their object hierarchy and relationships in C++ (no readers, that's not a knock on OOP/C++, but on a lack of planning before coding).

[@bloodypommelstudios7144]

"You need to learn to be as mind-numbingly stupid as a computer" I think I can manage that.

[@crow1720]

The people thanks you for the sacrifice you made for our entertainment.

[@max_ishere]

No you can't.

[@EvenStarLoveAnanda]

The computer can only ad and subtract. Not even multiplication. You can't be that stupid. This is why we will never have Self aware AI. AI is only a simulation created by us.

[@achtsekundenfurz7876]

"The computer can only ad and subtract. Not even multiplication." That was the 6502; the Intel 808xx line can totally do MUL. Well, internally, it's like long multiplication, with the trick that binary does a lot with shifting and adding. BUT those long-number-crunchers do things faster than that, via tricks like "Karatsuba's scheme", a scheme that multiplies WITHOUT multiplying each digit of one factor by each of the other. The basics of Karatsuba can be explained in decimal, too: there's an excellent example on Wikipedia.

[@Sir_Obliviousness]

You guys are acting like multiplying is different than adding... it is quite literally the same thing. 2x3 is just 3 twice i.e. 3+3. Exponents? Still adding at the end of the day. As humans we tend to skip the step of adding things together but all that’s really happening is that we remember the answer. When you see 2x3 the lookup table in your head finds 6 without doing any addition. Computers can technically do the same.

[@f4ephilosophy691]

Starting #TheOdinProject you saw hundreds and hundreds of people cheering each other on in the comment section of KZbin videos recommended for reading material. As the course went on and on you also noticed less people talking in the comments because there were less people who made it this far. You may not think you did much yet but trust me we have. We made it this far and we can keep going. Make it to the end and continue your journey.

[@nolstarrzz619]

I was looking for this comment, we got this!!

[@tylermorath9098]

Slowly learning to love Javascript. Was definitely feeling discouraged a few times, but solving problems is the best way to solidify your learning. Good luck to all my fellow Odin Project-ers :)

[@bungeroohooo]

Let's keep it up!! I'm also here from TOP 🎉

[@chimpankie1954]

Also here from TOP!

[@peacecode7]

Here from TOP

[@lefxxwill7740]

"Code is there to explain the comments to the computer" hits different

[@juicystrawberry9351]

@@super_super_super485 Comments explain the code to you but to the computer the code explains the comments

[@juicystrawberry9351]

@@ccriztoff are you talking to me

[@juicystrawberry9351]

@@ccriztoff what does this have to do with anything

[@juicystrawberry9351]

@@ccriztoff or what

[@daurham]

🚬😗💨 Gatdamnn poetry

[@diskographi]

Thank you, Will Ferrell, for teaching me how to think like a programmer.

[@DebbieMason]

I knew this voice sounded familiar. Lol.

[@peterjhartvideo]

Actually it's Pete Holmes

[@WilliamBay]

Actually it’s Chad Smith.

[@anotancro]

More like Seinfeld

[@SlippinJimmy4Life]

LOL

[@aymanjd4898]

"The secret isn't code, the secret is algorithms and data" that changed my entire mindset, thank you sir.

[@maxmaxwell4211]

So should I focus on understanding and learning algorithms and data structures?

[@aymanjd4898]

@@maxmaxwell4211 Yes that's the basic thing u should learn first.

[@imalwaysright1408]

@@ccriztoff “real programmer” like what? Is the measuring stick your opinion of real and fake??

[@imalwaysright1408]

@@ccriztoff clearly you’ve been spending too much time on the computer you’re as dumb as they are if misplaced questions marks (utube bug) means it’s a different language 🤷‍♂️

[@ishmel11]

@@ccriztoff oof if you couldnt understand Chand i think you're the one who needs to learn english lmfao

[@yukiyuka731]

Me before coding: perfect grammar Me after coding: give me that thing in the fridge is not Apple

[@sabrinahussaini2756]

LOL best comment

[@magnusm4]

Bed is if not cold then true else false if true sleep.

[@JasmineScholz]

Apple = false

[@pyra1488]

And you gotta check everything one by one to decide if it is an apple or not with a for loop

[@AyalMorann]

@@pyra1488 cant u sort the fridge first to lower the time complexity?

[@abstractapproach634]

11:28 underrated statement, "first of all you hated math class, I'm not sure you've met math"

[@aleisterlavey9716]

A sure we met meth in class, was about 5 months... or was it years ago, hover this guy's sister told me her bf met some gang kiddies and they said she told him, i should gave her the money and thats how i learned subtraction.

[@slimzztv9963]

That shit got real deep

[@michellemercy2715]

I actually watched a full ged math breakdown and it did help me immensely with coding.

[@AnitaSharma-rz5yk]

@@aleisterlavey9716 See

[@skyhighflying1525]

@@michellemercy2715 is it possible to send link?

[@Giraffinator]

I refuse to believe that the python logo isn't two dudes with jacked-up chins.

[@AJScarrRoyalty]

its two pythons...

[@Giraffinator]

Two dudes with jacked-up chins entertains me more, so it's that

[@lewis6590]

Can't unsee

[@andrewkelly8403]

@@lewis6590 I was just about to say the same thing lmao

[@thehighshow]

ill never unsee it now

[@Perfidion]

That was really good. The hardest part for me isn't the coding, it's the 'where the hell do I start with this?' stage prior to breaking things down into workable chunks. You have to train yourself to stop making assumptions. The computer doesn't make assumptions. It just does exactly what you tell it to do. Learning to dial back all that logic leap stuff people normally do is fairly tricky.

[@magnusm4]

Can't tell how many times this has happened when I write a variable or a layermask. And either the character isn't moving or the detection doesn't hit anything. Cause the default layer is set to nothing and the default value is 0 so I multiplied by zero --_-- Re wrote and made 3 completely different sets of code for moving and 7 with detection until I realized I didn't set the values.

[@WhatTheFozz]

I’m in this same situation, any advice for me? I’m really in need of it

@@WhatTheFozz Break it down to numbers. Hopefully you're already there.

[@WhatTheFozz]

@ thank you, I’ve gotten a grip of it and getter better, thanks again (:

[@yourkodi3945]

Once everyone understands you have to tell the computer(program) (EVERYTHING) it needs to do it will make peoples lives easier. Great video

[@ephilihp]

As a coder for over 20 years and professionally for over 15, this presentation is 100% great advice for anyone who wants to pursue it! Thank you for making and publishing this.

[@kylarlee9312]

Where do I start? I only have a chromebook, should I upgrade?

[@runningislashl3749]

Programar todo

[@curseyehamewho]

@Emmanuel Kasirivu Lugoloobi did you query a search index

[@SpaceCityCowboy88]

100

[@soriano1996]

"I want them to fail, but I want them to be able to overcome that failure." Very well said, sir. Great presentation 👏🏽

[@yesweet]

After 3 years coding, I continually nodded during his talk, kind of flashback for all my experiences.

[@alibaba8266]

same here :)

[@simonolofsson7488]

liang lu absolutely. My favorite part is the ‘comment being the code’ and code being the translation part.

[@larva5606]

This i# great 5o hear from someone who’s just starting. To know that the advice I’m ingesting isn’t going to do me wrong. 😁 Thanks

[@ica885]

Great! :))

[@eb4416]

@@simonolofsson7488 totally agree! I first of all write in plain text what i want to happen next, then I add the code which executes exactly that! This was a gamechanger for me.

[@marzappel8858]

I love how enthusiastic this speaker is

[@MrAnonymoose]

Mar Mar even to a somewhat dead crowd, he's still lively. Guess that's what it takes to teach a college classroom lmao

[@Giraffinator]

I honestly wish I've could've -watched- him be enthusiastic, seems like a good time in itself

[@AMoore-qx6vv]

When he said "public static void main(String[] args){}, I felt that.

[@Hasnain1F]

public is an access modifier. static keyword is used to make sure something has only one instance running in the memory, void is a return type, main is the name of the function and String[] args are the arguments passed by a user in command line that you can make use of in your code. D: I can finally understand it!!!!

[@Canleaf08]

​@@Hasnain1F The String array args in the brackets are passed arguments which can be passed to the programme and even read out by indices. It behaves like an Array, but you could also take the args to create special programme modes. But that's java's main function. Fundamentally important to run java code in class.

[@Hasnain1F]

@@Canleaf08 Thanks. Yes, I knew that.

[@Saboor-Hamedi]

S.A. Moore shortcut on netbeans ctrl + space; lol

[@gdolphy]

So, I think I comprehend your code. I'll submit for a code review. PR below: We publicly try to show we are different but are fundamentally static creatures where many of our supposed contributions are void. Our main function results in a string of arguments sometimes contained in small groups. When those groups get large enough we block them into coutries throw flags when racy conditions encountered.

[@Irzani938]

Watching for 2nd time. Trying to restart my programming journey.

[@johnsonpham2000]

hope you're doing well and still continuing!

[@Harrisdrew625]

Just starting my journey again as well 4 years after I quit. Hope you're still going strong!

[@r4lfxd]

Kinda the same, weird.

[@voxorox]

49:39 Any time I build a loop of any kind, I'm reminded of the line from Star Wars: "When you came in here, didn't you have a plan for getting out?!?"

[@voxorox]

In practice: Build the entrance. Build the exit. Build the exit condition. Now build the rest of it.

[@philippg6023]

Never forget the exit in rekursion😥😆

[@owenwexler7214]

Philipp Grunwald or while/do-while loops for that matter #InfiniteLoop #CRAAAASH

[@aerospaceengenieeringknowl3204]

- Computers are not smarter than a shoe. Programming is about explaining things to the idiot computer. - Computer languages have about 100 words. The syntax is painfully rigid. - The secret isn't code, the secret is algorithms and data. - Write out the concepts first, then convert them to code. - If you're lost in coding, it's probably because you shouldn't be coding yet. - First you need to understand the problem you're trying to solve. Don't jump straight to coding without understanding algorithms. - Having goals is good, but if goals lead to inevitable failure and defeat, maybe pick something else... - No matter what, do not feel like an idiot. - Comments are not there to explain the code to programmers, code is there to explain the comments to the computer. - The coding part is the easy part. The algorithm part is the hard part. - If you're really confused, find someone that feels comfortable and make them uncomfortable. - Did you tell it to do it incorrectly, or did you tell it to do the wrong thing? - Don't start with a solution. Don't try to solve a problem you don't understand. - Beginner? Python. Not all, maybe not the main, just some points.

[@RichardBronosky]

At 16:25 "Write out the concepts first, then convert to code later." I am a DevOps lead engineer. I am constantly coaching Ops engineers to improve at coding. I am known for using A LOT of sticky notes. One for each requirement. One for each failure mode. One for each possible solution. Then you start pseudocoding those requirements. One for each service call. One for each function you need to write. One for each loop. One for each condition of conditionals. One for each Try/Catch/Else/Finally/Promise/Then/Catch. You have the freedom to move them around, shorten your loops, minimize round-trips, etc.

[@Big__Thicc]

"The real problem is they don't really understand the problem they're trying to solve" I can relate to this in so many ways. Every time I try to code something without thinking it through, there is no way I can do it. But when I stop and just think about the problem and I come to the solution, its almost like the code writes itself, it becomes insanely easy once you figured out how to solve the problem.

[@Sunpath_]

A kind of process like this, where the code writes itself, where the rules meld into each other, is beautiful.

[@gamestv4875]

It's almost like I am sitting in Church.

[@NimhLabs]

PRAISED BE THE HOLY FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE! Repend your evil sinful Object Orientated Programming! OOP Programming is the subject of the EVIL EMACS users! But we can CONVERT them to the glorious VIM congregation! Now, we kneel and bow down our heads as the makefile runs the compilation statements. If people ask if we are taking a nap, we lie about it. CAN I GET AN AMEN!

[@ex0stasis72]

That's actually what I was thinking as well. He sounds like a youth pastor.

[@RandyDrayton]

Weird because he sounds like a deacon that was at my church when I was younger

[@taliaa7856]

Cause he was definitely preaching!

[@albertdugba]

Yeah me too

[@hasbaraalways4410]

After watching this as a new programer i've realized i made myself way to scared of the word algorithm. In my head an algorithm is some super complex math equation like google search engine. Now i realize it doesn't have to be so complex! Awesome Lecture👍

[@constantfear]

Less is more.the simpler the better.

[@MrNuudleS]

Yes I totally feel the same way!!

[@Mayank-mf7xr]

Algorithm is just a sequence of processes you would use to solve a problem. Simple as that.

[@GordieGii]

Absolutely. An algorithm is something like: Add the two smallest digits. Carry. Add the next two (or three) digits. Carry. Repeat until there are no more digits. The first time you hear it as a child it seems like super complex math, but you learn the steps so you don't even have to think about it anymore. Then when you start programming you have to remember that there are steps so you can teach the mind-numbingly stupid computer.

[@questioneverything4633]

It's just a pretentious word for a list of instructions. Nothing to be afraid if.

[@skytale35]

"Coding is how you explain your comments to the computer", see, that right there should not be overlooked. Also glad to know i'm not the only one who got hung up on "self".

[@yoonseok1223]

I came here cause after having 4 years university degree in SE, I still suck at coding to this day, I still couldn't believe when he said that C++ isn't a language to be taught first to beginers, because it was the first language we were taught in class in our first semester, and from that onwards I built up the fear of ever learning programming.

[@SemiMono]

Yeah, C++ is best in class at nothing except being confusing. I'd say if you want to get a light abstraction from assembly, use C (NOT C++), and if you really want to understand software, use something more akin to python or java. I think his statement about language not mattering is true until you hit C++, which always demands more attention than the actual problem being solved.

[@Little_Spooky27]

A little late but almost same here. I just graduated with a 4 year CS degree and still suck at coding. I relate to the fear part, got taught Java freshman year which I barely got ahold of then I’m thrown into theory, DS&A, ML, and Web Apps classes which hit me with a lot of self doubt and almost giving up. I’m just now realizing that I’ve been learning code wrong this whole time!

[@SemiMono]

@@Little_Spooky27 Yes, university is not a good place to learn to code. I learned to code before I went to university, then it was comparably easy. Many of my classmates still couldn't code (not really) even after they graduated (and they REALLY struggled to get the degree).

[@huihui666]

first year, we started with C, then second year, we did C++

[@Sercil00]

"Good programmers are not often good teachers" That would explain my current teachers. They are talking, talking, talking, talking. Sometimes they throw in a keyword straight from their code, and they always mispronounce those words (they're not native English speakers so have fun guessing what they just said). They always talk about 3 topics simultaneously and switch around between them. Well, they got hundreds of slides. Except they usually have 2-3 different pdfs open, they jump from the end to the start to the middle. They often mention the most crucial things in one sentence, which they inject so seemlessly into their 3-hour info-dump so that out of a room of 30 students, a total of 3 catch it. And those 3 only caught it because they spent 2 hours yesterday figuring it out for themselves. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has the problems he mentioned. I was beginning to think I'm either stupid, or just extremely unlucky with my professors.

[@MaiconMatos08]

Im Trying Learn How To Code With This Video

[@djkly1]

Bruh all my programming courses in college are Hybrid. Meaning I go to class just to be told about the assignments I have to hand in, while I have to teach myself on my own with all the books & video links from KZbin that they give us. It’s like im paying just to get links to specific YT vids & 3 college credits, yet I have to teach myself & then get hard tests & practicals based on nothing the professor actually taught.

[@theralhaljordan7337]

I've seen some good programming teachers online, but yet to have a com sci prof I actually like listening to. Most of my learning is self taught, and I try to stay ahead of my classes so hopefully the lectures are re-learning stuff I research and then hopefully unlearning what I misunderstood

[@SKuLLxKruSHeR]

The effect of privatization of education

[@voxorox]

I've been trying to teach my coworker how to code, and I go out of my way to NOT just give him the coded answers. I try to describe the task, walk through the steps in relatively plain English, and force him to think of it that way. And only then will I sometimes assume the role of "Google" and tell him the specific code for specific steps. Currently trying to get him to understand the power of arrays, and get him to use them effectively. That's not easy to put in plain English.

[@beawakened7298]

No wonder he taught so well and we understood so well.... . . . . Because he was a special ed teacher.... We are special ed students of programming....

[@donaldderrick1595]

loooooooool REAL ASS SHIT

[@ism9017]

dragon story lol!

[@Andrea-lf3jq]

hahahha laughed so hard

[@chennn958]

arent we all?

[@daffy1981]

$ ed I need lecture now how to think like a regular person (adopted for programers)... ? write ? quit ? ^C ?

[@christophershelton6301]

OMG Andy Harris, Thank You! I'm a reasonably smart guy (former licensed architect and all) but I took HTML and Javascript classes at community college and felt so humiliated and discourage because they started on the first day with actual languages and details of syntax without explaining the basic concepts AT ALL. I was instantly overwhelmed with too much to memorize and barely passed the classes. I thought I "hated coding" which made me sad because it seemed conceptually interesting and powerful. I thought I'd never participate in this realm because I just couldn't do it. Your video changed all that. Your remarks about writing algorithms in plain english is brilliant, as are so many of your lessons in this video. I'm literally crying to realize that I'm not a stupid idiot after all (and I'm angry that the other teachers did such a crappy job!)

[@brucebaker810]

Not a coder, but I feel ya. Wouldn't it be great to have Square One specialists (with the passion mod) to choose from for lots of things? What would THAT world be like?

[@JeffReeves]

Most academia has horrible teachers. If you ever want to learn HTML and JavaScript again in an easy way, I'd highly recommend Jon Duckett's "HTML & CSS" and "JavaScript & JQuery" books. He's a designer that got into coding and thought, "why isn't there a simple to read and understand book to teach people visually?" These two books were indispensable for me when I got started back in many years ago.

[@burner918]

@@JeffReeves 👍So true. Beginner programmer here and I have both of those books. They're so appealing to read that I have those lying around on the couch and when watching TV, I'll skip to random pages during commercial breaks just because. I've never come a programming book that looks anything like these two. Didn't know that Jon Duckett was a designer -- just had an "Aaaahh, now I see why" moment.

[@JeffReeves]

@@burner918 That's awesome! Glad you enjoy them. Getting into tech is hard because most of the learning materials are so dry and written by people who know tech but not how to communicate to other humans lol.

[@JM-jk9vz]

I had this same problem 6 years ago when I was a freshman in college. The lecturer dove right into it and I had no clue what I was doing. I still have my exam papers and the code I wrote was absolutely horrendous. I dropped out after 2 years. I didn’t give up though, I taught myself, I paid for courses on Udemy, watched KZbin videos, read articles online, downloaded programming books wherever I could find them. I made more progress learning to code this way in 2 months than the college did for me in 2 years. I know about 7 languages now and I still write code as a hobby. I even published 2 games and made my own website from scratch. I realized that programming is hard and it’s intimidating but with a great lecturer and persistence it gets easier. This video is the link I was missing that I didn’t know I was missing.

[@annetteiglesias2372]

Great lecture! This helped me push through a bout of imposter syndrome last night. If I could like this video 1000 times more, I would.

[@meltedcheese1908]

I really like the idea of writing down an algorithim before actually writing the code.

[@NimhLabs]

I mostly do not like it--as I find out that my idea for an algorithm is flawed... and that the really good algorithms make no sense when you explain them. Quick Sort counts as one of those algorithms that exist in a, "wait... what are you attempting to do?"... also BSP trees to display visual content SHOULD exist as a "that sounds nice, but it doesn't work as an algorithm"... but somehow, that does work when programmed.

[@spacenodus7959]

@@NimhLabs what's BSP

[@johndoeski842]

It's spelled "algorithm" not "algorithmim".

[@NimhLabs]

@@spacenodus7959 Exactly my point! Oh right... after Ray Tracing stopped being how 3D stuff was rendered in the early 90s (well, started to stop, it was still in use until the early 00s), one of the methods that was propped up in its stead was using BSP trees for the purpose of rendering 3D content onto a screen. This was before hardware graphical acceleration started including their own FPU and rebranded it as a GPU. Yes... I know there are differences between how FPU and GPU handle code... there are differences between how ARM and 6802 handle code... yet both of those are CPUs.

[@nicklomas2743]

​@@johndoeski842 the cheese spelled it "algorithim" not "algorithmim"

[@DragonWarriorCodes]

I needed this video 5 years ago .. still happy watching this after 5 years of learning programming .. still and will always keep learning.

[@andressuarez3079]

I was stuck with basics and this might be the lever that un-stucks me. Thank you, this video was so great.

[@affansiddhiqui3739]

He's been coding for 30 years and he says "here's what i'm learning" now that's what we call humility

[@leonardsalt]

Him: "Did you tell it what to do incorrectly or did you tell it to do the wrong thing?" Me, an intellectual: "Yes."

[@larva5606]

Leonardo Segura 🤣💀👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👌🏼

[@henriherrera9744]

That's deep sht bro.

[@michellemercy2715]

This hurts me 😹

[@omahacheeks764]

I'll be 46 in a couple of weeks and am reinventing myself, again, to stay relevant so I can keep making $$. Never stop learning!

[@dietfitnessweightlosstips2830]

I like the strategy!!

[@BobBeatski71]

I'll be 48 this year. The more I learn the more I realise just how much I don't know!

[@jon_13]

Amen!

[@billybobgeo]

You go! -- i'm at 51 and have spent the last 30 years continually learning and reinventing myself - it works! - also doesn't hurt that my mum was a teacher... just you putting this out there is inspiring

[@Synth2000]

same ship and age here Becky, good luck!

[@rafihasan7787]

People coming from The Odin Project: Congratulations 🎉 you are going strong, I'm really proud of you!!

[@DemolaOkesola]

I have been writing code for years. This is the best explanation of programming I have ever heard. AND I learnt a lot from this! This is TIMELESS

[@jt659]

This guy could get a potato interested in programming...then program said potato.

[@Ryutsashi]

Probably the other way around. You have to declare the potato first before interacting with it.

[@keinunvergebenesaliasgefunden]

The potato is, so it interacts

[@sjoerdvelzen8255]

Error: 'Potato' is not defined.

[@tayaraaktube]

recursion

[@Menelik.videos]

I'm that potato hahaha

[@clearwavepro100]

After a few seconds, I knew I would appreciate the talk. Thanks for sharing this!

[@dianathomas2674]

"Concepts first and coding second." I've been looking for this so hard. Thank you! 💟

[@jampamatosful]

I'm at 11 minutes and 38 seconds of this video and i can safely say this is one of the best content i've ever seen on youtube ever. thanks a lot for that (and thanks Odin Project for bringing me here)

[@bjr816]

Damn this man is an excellent speaker/instructor, I wish I had him as a professor. I wanna attend panels and speeches like this in NYC

[@drinkingpoolwater]

this is definitely one of those videos you end up watching the whole way thru without even realizing it.

[@Lars-ce4rd]

Yup. First i was like, '1 hr?! It's too late in the evening for watching this', but suddenly I was 40 mins in and I really wanted to see it through. I am not even a newbie, I have 2yrs of professional experience and more time self-taught, but i love talks like this! When you feel like you're in a really complicated place in the software development world, it really helps just taking a few steps back and reminding yourself of that basic knowledge. You can only tackle one problem at a time and each problem will take the required amount of time to solve. In the corporate world it is easy to get confused about that. Each problem feels like an obstacle because you always stress about the time usage, but the reality is that the problems will require time usage no matter how much you are stressing it. Remember to relax, then solving the problems will not feel like an obstacle and less time will be spent stressing, more time will be spent enjoying to solve problems!

[@gonderage]

bro i set my tablet to play long videos (between 50 to 59 minutes), and i woke up hearing this man, and i'm like "let's skip sleep"

[@dragonore2009]

I first started learning programming when I was in the Army, on my off time. I knew eventually I would get out of the Army and into the private sector. I failed allot in learning programming on my own, allot. I thought to myself, maybe this isn't for me, it is too hard, I can't do it. The only reason I continued on, was because I was pot committed, I put too much time into it and now I'm a software developr for a fortune 500 company. I say all that to say this, you might think you are too dumb or whatever, you proably are not, you just have to keep practicing.

[@worldshaper1723]

Thank you!!!

[@alexschexnayder8624]

Or according to the lecturer, not dumb enough

[@N0M4D_22]

Damn brother I needed to hear that former grunt here looking to branch out into this world

[@josephthecreator]

@@N0M4D_22 former grunt (USMC) here too. We got this bro.

[@N0M4D_22]

@@josephthecreator damn straight brother Appreciate the support devil dog!

[@tamar7065]

Over the years, I've had multiple false starts with multiple languages trying to teach myself to code. I think this helped me pinpoint where the real issue is for me, and the exercise midway through was very enlightening. Thanks so much!

[@ekukoski8508]

Thank you for this! I’m learning JavaScript on my own right now and this makes me wish i were in school so i could have a teacher like you. Loved your humor and charisma. Very useful and encouraging stuff! This is just the kind of lecture i needed.

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

Programming is loops and conditions. Everything else is politics.

[@1889990]

Programming is recursion and conditions. Everything else is imperative

[@philippg6023]

@@1889990 and some pointiers...

[@NimhLabs]

Programming is about waving your hands to influence air currents in a similar way to butterflies flapping their wings, to influence the electrons in storage units. Everything else is fluff.

[@1889990]

@@NimhLabs xkcd comic ;)

[@mikul3122]

Isn't life just one big while(!dead)

[@Reaganlu]

I'm CS senior student one semester away from graduating and I end up to this video because nobody thought us to think this way in college. Without knowing those things, we struggling after all this years. Thank you for the video!

[@aaronvansichem]

This lecture probably legitimately changed my future and how I view going into coding. THANK YOU!

[@GraphicGamingHQ]

Did it?

[@farooqazam712]

Bright future?

[@aaronvansichem]

yeah it did, currently studying game development and trying to program my own game. Hopefully i've got bright future ahead :)

[@rgpandrade]

Hi Andy; thank you so much for this talk. When you got to the Bad Advice section I laughed so hard I cried. I had received all of that advice and actually started my learning process in C++. I wish some pf my teachers actually broke things down the way you did. I feel my experience would have been much better. Thank you again.

[@sallybugs1695]

If you were my teacher i would never skip classes. Thank you and excellent work.

[@claykellogg5372]

I've had him for two courses and he helped me on a side project. Great prof.

[@gonderage]

id attend his classes, but if it's at 7 in the morning, i'll just hope thre are recordings

[@professorkaos62]

I came here from The Odin Project and originally thought "holy crap an hour long video" but after watching it, very entertaining, time flew by, great information. Awesome presentation

[@g-whittington]

I'm glad to have made it to this point

[@mackadamianut5538]

What a great speaker and teacher. This is the kind of energy and tone I can enjoy learning from. Thank you!

[@psacentralcoast6970]

I needed this! I’m in my late 40’s and I really want to code. There is such a great divide between coders and learning that it’s overwhelming. I didn’t finish HTML and CSS because I couldn’t do what I want fast enough. I’m really keen to learn Python, this inspired me. I teach people how to surf and skateboard and it’s about simplicity. Thanks for this I needed it.

[@autohmae]

Let me know if you have any questions. Python is not something I use every day, but I'm willing to help.

[@psacentralcoast6970]

autohmae thanks, that’s awesome. I’ll definitely take up that offer.

[@autohmae]

@@psacentralcoast6970 Well, I can only try to be helpful, no guarantee. :-)

[@user_16309]

I"m right there with you. I'm 50 in a couple weeks. Been trying to learn off and on for 30 years. Going to give this a listen. Don't give up!

[@psacentralcoast6970]

Dustin Wright good on you legend. Thanks for the the confidence brother.

[@ZenataUSA]

7:27 My university's introductory programming course was entirely in C++. I tried pretty hard and ended up with a B even though my code was pretty terrible. It definitely turned off quite a few would-be developers. I remember spending so much more time on that homework than any other class I ever took.

[@tiutech3994]

I just finished an assignment using Arduino which i believe is in C++. I really feel this comment, i spent 2 weeks day n night working on it....i cant believe how many people failed, its pretty bonkerz. If anything though, if feel more motivated to get better. I simply i hate sucking at things i like

[@jonathanaspeling9535]

Really enjoyed this 👍 thanks for all the clever analogies, takes on things and clear and simple answers. Good to have spent time absorbing. Looking forward to helping others continue the persuit.

[@GoodlyRogue]

Watched it all the way. Thank you so much Mr. Harris!

[@robbieh440]

I absolutely love this guy. I hope there are more lectures to find by him

[@chatttownsaint]

As a beginner, thanks for posting this. It gave me some insight.

[@TheGreatishere]

Hey how has your journey been?

[@jbusom]

This has been the most fun and "eureka moment" video from The Odin Project. The hour flew by like its nothing, thank you so much Andy.

[@redfinance3403]

This video helped me immensely. I have come back after 2 years seeing this for the first time to say thank you. I don't think I would have made as much progress as I did had I not known of this mindset! This should be shown in every programming class (particularly in the beginning). Watching this video could have been one of the best decisions I made in learning to program, although the effect may not have been immediate.

[@adeel.travel]

Phenomenal teacher. Finding someone who can explain things so well is unique. Most programmers I've come across use big, jargon-filled words.

[@Marioinsydney]

Totally agree, because teaching requires empathy and understanding of what it's like to be someone several levels of learning below the teacher. Most people who teach things teach it as if the student is on the same level as them.

[@Troncoso01]

I really thought the first 2 seconds were an intro to a rap

[@romanruano1369]

Was it: Lazy Town - Cooking by the Book ft Lil Jon

[@robynpalmerwilliams7316]

How?!

[@ramirezvilla]

kinda sounds like the lead to the fresh prince of Bel-air lol

[@kristen5149]

HAHAHAHAHAH

[@ashruth7183]

Hahahaha

[@BRich057]

I have listened to this before. You definitely knocked it out of the park. Everything you go over helped me feel better about the learning and direction I am going. Thank you

[@marvintoussaint6591]

This was an amazing lecture Andy. Definitely very eye opening.

[@debra-kayeelliott3646]

Someone just shared this talk with me, and I'm cracking up with how funny 😂, but *so* relatable this information is as a self-teaching beginner front end dev. I'll definitely be re-watching this. Thank you!

[@eyeronic9573]

Watching this in 2021 and it's still gently motivating and at the same time eye-opening. Thanks to Mr. Harris for this wonderful presentation which I'm pretty sure I'll watch whenever I lose motivation to go forward. p.s- I'm starting my journey in computer science engineering.

[@nanaQwesi]

This is a really good talk. Every beginner needs to listen to it. Thanks Andy for providing value.

[@PrescottLawani]

This was epic and hilarious. It also made me think of how to write algorithms. I have always tried to code first and put comments as notes, but never thought of using the comments as algorithms. I solved a problem I was having for a long time really quickly just by writing it out first. Thanks!

[@mktwatcher]

This is really good, especially since I'm a beginner programmer who has been telling myself I'm not smart enough to write software. Crazy funny talk but Andy makes you understand that programming is first about understanding the problem and being able to think it through first. The programming only requires a little bit of syntax and rules.

[@trulyka5534]

Yeah give us an updateee

[@premanand7803]

How are you doing now in programming??

[@ralexander9495]

"how consistent is the syntax? Painfully!" biggest smile I have had in at least 24 hours. Thanks!

[@BEEFSTEW0830]

54:05 How did you not get a single laugh from that? That was hilarious. "An 'elif' is like a 'dwarif', but is taller and has ears"

[@TalsonHacks]

It took me some time to get it lol

[@gustavomartinez6892]

I really want to thank you and thank you again, because I have read at least 6 books about programing in Python, and seen toons of videos, on KZbin and other platforms, and you explain like no other I think what makes you especial is the thing that you speak like when you ask a friend that explains something to you, you know that is a difference with a professor that stays more distant, anyways excellent, brilliant!!! Just see the difference, other channels just repeat the things that are in the books more or less the same, but the way that you explain, I didn't saw it in any book, pure original. Just thank you!!!

[@Calypso694]

“What’s smarter, a shoe or a gaming computer? It’s a tie.” Probably the most motivating, light bulb clicking thing I’ve heard in my (so far as of writing this) 3rd day in my coding, over anxiety, stress inducing journey.

[@ZlothZloth]

It's completely wrong, though. In the 4 months since you posted that, have you tried to wear either a shoe or a computer around your neck? The shoe can kinda work if the laces are long enough but really, neither of them make a good tie.

[@Calypso694]

ZlothZloth I’ve learned so far that it’s up to The User. How smart the computer is up to me. As for the shoe? I live in Florida so flip flops all day baby!

[@Oncopoda]

@@Calypso694 how's your coding journey 1 year in?

[@Calypso694]

@@Oncopoda I’ve built a small dungeon crawler, downloaded and tried out some game engines, still learning. I’m learning C++ for GameDev. I also found out that when I talk it out loud to someone I understand it more. Those success stories of people starting coding and in 6 months they have a job? They aren’t learning C++ lol

[@Oncopoda]

@@Calypso694 lmao shit even I know that.

[@idontwhy3132]

when I started learning to write code I watched this for guidance. Right now I'm watching it for the comedy

[@cococolonel]

Best lecture I've heard since I was so scared of code (and failing) since college. Jumping back into it after this isn't so scary after all.

[@lancejensen9750]

If you're here from the Odin Project, congrats on getting here! We're almost there! Keep pushing!

[@katkodes6055]

I was having trouble with syntax and getting very frustrated. Then the Odin project led me to this video. This is exactly what beginners need to hear I think! Everything feels much easier after implementing these tips. Thank you Andy Harris!!

[@owannn]

i m here from the odin project too?? where are you currently on your journey?

[@tiffanyhuynh1890]

Hi from another person doing the Odin Project!

[@katkodes6055]

@@tiffanyhuynh1890 hello! Hope your studies are going well. I'm about halfway down the JavaScript path

[@g-whittington]

I'm glad to have made it to this point

[@vikaspal2799]

" You hated math Class, I am sure you never Met Maths" GOLDEN WORDS

[@XIsleTheWanderer]

Love this! Thank you so much! THIS is the "tutorial" I've been looking for.

[@PaperRaines]

This was literally the best video I've ever watched on anything. Thank you for your service

[@cilibekd]

Amazing. Funny and Entertaining. I feel vindicated for some of my past experiences by watching this presentation. Also Andy sounds like Will Farrell when he gets animated, so that also added to my enjoyment. Thanks for posting! :)

[@ShinobiEngineer]

BEST TALK FOR BEGINNERS. PERIOD! 👏🤓

[@yinggamonkulsarapitak7948]

Thank you for sharing how beginners should learn to code. It's really fun while informative listening to you. I always have the problem thinking about what syntaxs, commands or codes should be typed so that I can program what the practice question want me to do. But after watching this, I try to look back and like... yeah I cannot code not because I don't know syntaxs or languages. But It's because I myself also not clear about the algorithm and what I want my code to output! You help me learned a lot as a Atomotives Engineer who transitioned to Data Analytics field which need to learn python.

[@elizabethhamilton1166]

Andy, you are great! What a fun and informative video. Thanks!

[@aldergate-ca]

I thank this is the first time that I made notes and screen shots... ever. Thanks Andy. Im learning C because I golf with tour blade irons(feed back), and Python because I loved Monty Python's Flying Circus and because it's so powerful.

[@alexcarl9868]

#TheOdinProject Keep up the great work, it's going to get hard but do not give up!

[@keytve4889]

while I am someone new to programming a lot of your jokes went well over my head, I appreciate a lot of the tips and analogies as it really helped to put the overwhelming concept of coding into bite sized easy to digest and approach pieces.

[@alessandrasimoes8363]

Thank you so much for this. At first I thought it was for advanced programmers but this is actually perfect for beginners like me. Really helpful!

[@310McQueen]

The best programming textbook I ever had was "Getting Started With TRS-80 Model III BASIC." I think the first program, or one of the first, was something like the "hello user" program described. The book used short stories to teach people to solve simple but relatable problems using the computer's programming language.

[@nyambubeauty2130]

Thanks I'll check it out

[@GatlingNG]

This is great. I am definitely going to apply this in any teaching I do going forward.

[@icemann155]

There are a lot of videos will break down python in a ton of detail but this talks more about programming fundamentals. Very helpful

[@lewcreative]

Thank you so much Andy, this means a lot. You are a legend!!

[@TimmyBarr]

I've worked in IT for a decade doing networks support and implementation and I have always secretly been fascinated by software development and I have a list of apps that I'd like to develop so I'm going to start learning software development. I just hope that I'm as good at it and I like it as much as my other IT skills.

[@lonestarvoid]

How is it going

[@tonyblack1981]

"Code is there to explain the comments to the computer." Well goddamnit! he could have left the building at that point, because he has led me to the light and I have seen it. I have seen it!

[@Azzinoth224]

Same. I'm definitely going to use that sentence in the future.

[@AmericanOdyssey91]

Yea as soon as he said that I figured out the issue with the project I'm working on.

[@magnusm4]

It's basically a translation of computer logic into human language and then back into zeros and ones.

[@dreywilliams8807]

The Coding God's have spoken 😭

[@ericgroovenhoff9913]

Hi Tony, I am just starting to get into computers. Is there any other Advice or links to get this stuff as simply as possible? I'm glad that made quote made sense to you, it seems like you understand the speaker, who is someone who is apparently knowing what they're doing with this stuff. any bit of info helps. I literally know nothing. TIA

[@LDInThePost]

Halfway through and this has already been life changing for my learning process as a beginner!

[@random-xl3zm]

My personal learning 1. There r 8 common things in every coding lang 2. Coding isnt about writting code its about algo nd data science how to make a good algo on paper that solve the prob is the main work 3.try to understand the prob first 4. If u get stuck and lost while coding u shouldnt be coding actually u sud be planning instead about algorithm

[@headoverbars8750]

Absolutely right on track with what I have found. Now hopefully you're not preaching to the choir and everyone watching isn't a senior programmer. I have been a programmer for a decade, learned with Java and suffered much the same pitfalls you mention. I feel like a beginner sometimes then realize how complex my code is now and I don't know what to think lol... Seems I know what I am doing half the time.

[@millertime6]

I loved the idea of starting to learn code *before* opening your computer! I had a tough time with tutorials that run through syntax and expect you to memorize where it goes rather than why it goes there. I’m one if those people that needs to know why!

[@breakout3348]

after 4 years of trying to understand why, once it clicked, everything is coming much easier.

[@Raptor3614]

Syntax allows the compiler to know what you’re doing. For example (this is Java btw) if you do: int x; -> this tells the compiler that you just declared a date type of “int” with a variable name “x.” Now if you do this: x = 10; -> this tells the compiler you just initialized the variable “x” to equal the value of 10. Now if you do this: System.out.println(x); -> This tells the compiler you want to print the variable “x,” which prints 10. P.S the “;” is used after each statement because it allows the compiler to know when to move onto the next line of code. Hopes this helps why syntax is extremely important to memorize.

[@demiansims728]

This is should be a ‘must listen’ for every programmer. The best lecture ever.

[@lofioto]

Thanks! I learned so much from this video, grateful for all the quality content that you've put out. Hope 2022 will be a good coding year :)