Completely agree. I tried to learn HTML/CSS first, then Python, Ruby, then Rails. Needless to say, I didn't make any progress and was no closer to building out anything on my own.
It's an interesting balance between architecting an entire technology web app and understanding a programming language on a meta level. Most people learn from the ground up - i.e. syntax first, then simple commands..etc. No one starts by building the practical stuff and getting it to work before understanding the details.
I finally built an online food ordering site only after sitting down...and building an online food ordering site. I didn't try to learn Ruby, or Python, or Javascript. I just brute forced my way to getting a functional app. I googled a lot, trolled stackoverflow, debugged errors, nagged people for help, and ended up hacking together a Rails app.
Learning to build apps is different than learning to code. So why are we still learning it the same way?
It's an interesting balance between architecting an entire technology web app and understanding a programming language on a meta level. Most people learn from the ground up - i.e. syntax first, then simple commands..etc. No one starts by building the practical stuff and getting it to work before understanding the details.
I finally built an online food ordering site only after sitting down...and building an online food ordering site. I didn't try to learn Ruby, or Python, or Javascript. I just brute forced my way to getting a functional app. I googled a lot, trolled stackoverflow, debugged errors, nagged people for help, and ended up hacking together a Rails app.
Learning to build apps is different than learning to code. So why are we still learning it the same way?
- Susie
Founder at https://baserails.com