Hello I imagine it is a well-discussed matter, but I would like to address the following questions. It is being said as a hint on the curriculum website and from several posts I have checked that it is better to start from the beginning of the curriculum if you are new to coding. I said to myself ok these people know and I am fine starting from the beginning. However I want to make sure I am not wasting my time. As I understand HTML,CSS and Javascript are a good triplet to land a job. But it is all about designing webpages, right ? I would like at some point to learn to program for video games, where as I see C# is being used. Now I imagine that going straight to C# might be very challenging and I am no prodigy. I would very much prefer and wouldn’t mind at all starting with python, if that’s something closer to the logic of C. But what about the beginning of the curriculum? Should i keep going with HTML and CSS ? Is there a good reason I should build my way up by starting with the responsive web design class or am I wasting time ?
Thanks in advance .
To put another question a bit relevant for me to previous one. Is it easier to land a job as a front-end developer than as a game developer ? And what is the path i should follow to become a game-developer ?
Even tho I don’t aim to be a web developer, I’m finding I use web design more often than I thought I would and it was only after learning HTML CSS that I started to understand how I could make and distribute any game I make.
The first language you learn will change the way you think.
Once you learn the first, you can see similarities in others, it makes learning harder languages much easier.
For me, learning HTML CSS helped me to understand how files link together, how syntax can change from one language to another, with some bonus experience with debugging and time to learn and try out different editors.
I’m currently learning JavaScript, and have used P5.js to make a few small games.
I aim to learn C++ and have started dabbling. I’m finding C++ to be much more enjoyable to learn simply because I understand some JavaScript.
FreeCodeCamp wont teach you game design, but will introduce you to how languages work,
which is a great first step.
The hardest thing is starting.
It doesn’t matter what language you start with, if you want to learn python, you will learn similar skills that I did learning JavaScript.
Pick the language you think will be easier to learn and are enthusiastic about.
If you find yourself struggling to learn the language you choose try another language for a few weeks.
Switching language will give you an understanding of the similarities, which can help if your struggling.
Make sure you ask for help when stuck. The community is a great resource
Even though I’m sure this is one of the more frequently asked general questions, I’m happy to have found this question (and answer) close to the top of the forum. I’m also relatively new to programming, and honestly didn’t fully understand what “in order” meant once I hit the landing page with what seemed to be a top 10 list of courses for beginners.
How purposeful is the ordering of the list? Do I start at the top, and work my way down? Or can I pick what I’m interested in without worrying about skipping an essential course for a beginner like myself. I’m not familiar enough with the “programming landscape” (for lack of a better term) to answer these confidently, so this was valuable - thanks!
Its advised by most to work your way from top to bottom, if you are a complete beginner.
However, if you have some experience with programming, you could just try doing the Certification Projects in each course to recap.
If you have an aim in mind.
for example, if you want to learn Python.
You can skip straight to it. If you struggle you can always start from the top and work your way towards it.
I started with Java using a library called Processing. It didn’t go well, but having tried it did help me relate to what I was learning.
Its often the case that you will question why you are being shown something seemingly irrelevant.
Its only when you come across the scenario where its not irrelevant that you realise how important it was to learn.
Skipping ahead can help you see the importance, but if you get stuck, dont be afraid to look at the hints, ask for help and if you need to look at the answers its ok to do so.
If all else fails go back a few steps.
It may take some time before your able to start building small things, but thinking about what you want to build is a great motivator
