Shoutout to the person who told me to just start with Python

I mean, back in 2015 I was super skeptical and thought I needed to learn C first to 'really understand' computers. I spent like two months trying to get my head around pointers and memory management and almost quit. Then a friend in my online study group said to just try Python for a week and build something small. I made a simple number guessing game in an afternoon and it actually ran. That was the moment it clicked that starting with a simpler language wasn't cheating. Has anyone else had a similar switch that made things finally make sense?

3 comments

3 Comments

ivanross2mo ago

Totally get that. I used to be a huge snob about learning the "real" languages first. Thought Python was for people who didn't want to do the hard work. Then I tried to help a friend learn and saw how fast they could make a real, working thing. It completely flipped my view. Getting that quick win builds the drive to learn the harder stuff later. Now I tell everyone to start with whatever lets them build something fast.

markt232mo ago

Yeah that "quick win" idea is so true. I've seen people burn out trying to learn C pointers before they can even make a simple game. Starting with something that gives you a real result fast is how you build the patience for the harder concepts later.

spencer82mo ago

Absolutely the same path here. Got bogged down in C++ trying to make a text box before I could even print hello world. Switching to Python let me see results immediately, which kept me from giving up. That early win is everything for building confidence. It proves the core ideas work before you dive into the complex stuff. Starting simple is just smart, not a shortcut.