How to progress with Java Script?

JavaScript
#1

hey guys,

I started Java Script about a month back with FCC and current just over 50% through basic Java Script. Naturally it feels good to progress to the next challenge but do I really get it?

Should I have a good understanding of every challenge before moving on? I’m learning through several places (books, FCC, youtube, Codeacademy ) and I have somewhat of a grasp of what I’m doing but not really. I’m able to complete most challenges without looking at the hints.

Should I aim to start again until each challenge sinks in or does progressing eventually make sense of it all?

Cheers

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#2

Hey!
Do what you feel benefits the most!
For the JavaScript challenges, I already knew a lot of it before starting on FCC, so I went through it pretty quickly.

However, getting to the ReactJS and Redux parts of the Front End Development courses, I had a hard time understanding the topics like you. I ended up passing it all but felt like I had learned barely anything when I reached the projects in the end.

So, before beginning the projects, I decided to re-do all the challenges, and because I had finished the curriculum already, I was able to get a better understanding of how it works and why I had to do what I did. Maybe the same could work for you? If it doesn’t work for you, I hope you can instead find another way that helps!

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#3

Thanks Andreas,

I think your way is best. The feeling of progessing ‘feels’ better than re-doiing a challenge until you realise you didn’t really understand it.

Each time I go back it feels like I understand it 20% more but of course going back means more time. So like they say, 2 steps forward and 1 step back.

I think I’ll start from scratch and let it sink in some more!

Thank you

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#4

No worries!
Have fun coding! :smile:

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#5

consider also that not knowing everything is normal, having to consult documentation and google stuff often is normal

the freecodecamp curriculum goal is to let you familiarize with what you can do, how you can use those tools, not memorize everything

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#6

I must say the curriculum is not entirely consistent, or by other words, it does not work as stand alone source of knowledge and progress. There are topics which are not present or developed and you should look for additional outside sources to understand them.
I had different pace on progressing thru different sections. Sometimes id rush it, even if i didnt make complete sense of the content and later(seeing it used in advanced environment) it made sense. Sometimes id revise sections i was not confident with(even few times). Sometimes an old topic would come up and id realize ive seen it present in the curriculum, but i forgot its sense, so i come back to it to refresh my knowledge and make sense of it implemented in the new environment.
As a final conclusion and you would see this repeated over and over, it is projects where you really learn the matter, because you need to put it and see it in action. Taste problems in spontaneous circumstances and come up with solution(s) by putting in action techniques you’ve been taught.

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#7

FCC alone isn’t the best way to learn JS: it’s expected that once you get some of the basics down that you look at other tutorial material. There’s also very rough spots in the curriculum that are IMHO just plain confusing, so to reiterate, outside tutorials are more likely to clear it up.

If you feel you don’t have any grasp on a concept, you might have a harder time with following challenges. On the other hand, seeing the concept in action might crystallize it for you, so don’t feel as if you have to have everything down solid before moving on. Go until you get stuck – you can always go back.

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#8

Yup, I quickly learned that FCC is set-up in a specific way that you can’t really use it on it’s own without researching, which is great.

I’m stuck on Basic JS level 88 objects so I decided to try other courses to get me up to speed so when I go back to that challenge I’ve had built up a bit more knowledge and will restart the FCC JS course. A very painfully slow process but it helps to sinks in I guess.

#9

I’m currently spreading myself over several different learning resources, and each seem to fill the gap of the last.

I guess I knew it was time to take a step back when I was stuck on Challenge: Using Objects for Lookups. For a couple of days. :smiley:

#10

remember you can always ask for help if you need so, people are always happy to help you through the challenges

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#11

I’ve been coding in JavaScript for years, and still do not know everything. Also, the language is constantly changing. However, you should focus on the essentials and actually try to build something real. Get a book like Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja by John Resig (creator of JQuery). Go through that entire book and you will have a VERY good grasp of JavaScript.

Still, there is no substitute for building something real that has to work for your users. That will force you to progress very quickly. Good luck!

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#12

Yeah I posted a similar question 2 weeks back when I got to algorithm section and just ended up redoing the curriculum. The second time around I got a much better understanding and was able to solve questions better (though I still posted a ton of questions). I also reduced my learning speed. I guess we just have to get comfortable with not getting a deep understanding for a long time.

Now I’m on the functional programming and wonder if I’ll have to do that process again :sweat_smile:

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#13

Indeed, this forum is super helpful.

#14

Thank you, I was reading Jon Duckett’s javascript but then realised it was outdated with what I was learning on FCC/Codecademy so I switched to Eloquent Javascript, the first challenge in the book is to build a pyramid and chess board out of hashtags. I’m unsure if this is meant to be easy or incredibly difficult!

Would you still recommend Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja or continue with Eloquent Javascript? I’m still very new.

#15

Seems like the way! I think making progress feels natural so I tend to complete challenges without really understanding what’s happening.

I’m going to redo the challenges for both Codecademy and FCC.

I can’t wait to reach that point where basic JS looks simple.

#16

Ahh, I have that book as well. It has good ratings, but it is definitely not for beginners. I would definitely recommend 1st Version of Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja. It doesn’t teach the new syntax, but everything you learn is foundational. The 2nd version covers the new syntax, so you can always check that out later. I think Eloquent JavaScript will make more sense after going through Secrets of the Javascript Ninja - 1st version.

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#17

Thank you, that make sense as Eloquent JavaScript goes from 0-60 real quick. After explaining the very basics (strings, basics loops/for/while) it throws you the below challenge. I wasn’t sure if I was missing some pages or if it had been explained in the previous pages…

create this pyramid
#
##
###
####
#####

&  create this chessboard
# # # # #
 # # # # 
# # # # #

I’ll definitely give Secrets of the Javascript Ninja a read.

#18

This was one of my favorite books back in the day when the first edition came out. Does an excellent job of explaining some very important concepts. Make sure you get the most recent addition though as they have added quite a bit of new material.

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#19

there you just need to combine loops and if in the correct way

think about it in this way, how would you do explain what to draw to someone that doesn’t know what a pyramid or a checkerboard is?

#20

I get that not every culture plays checkers, but something is seriously lacking in one’s education if they don’t know what a pyramid is. Of course, “triangle” would have sufficed and been more accurate to boot.