Ask YC: Advice on learning programming in 9 months

2 points by throwaway121 15y ago ↗ HN

I am tempted to quit my job and move to the bay area to spend 9 months focused on learning programming and a bit of web design.

I already know a bit of programming, one college course of Java worth but not much.

I am an aspiring startup entrepreneur and want to get to the point where I can start creating cool stuff. I could probably get by depending on others to do the technical stuff, but I feel like in the long run learning programming is really important for my desired career path.

I know it takes longer to become a great hacker but I hope to learn as much as possible in 9 months.

What advice would you have for someone thinking of doing this?

I am thinking of starting with HTML/CSS and Javascript and working on some simple browser add-ons, so I can start creating stuff that applies what I am learning relatively quickly.

I wish something like Ars Digita University still existed today but it doesn't. I am thinking of joining something like the Hacker Dojo or something similar.

2 comments

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paulitex 15y ago ↗

Google Code University (http://code.google.com/edu/) has some good resources

antm 15y ago ↗

If your goal is to create cool stuff now, you don't necessarily need to learn how to program. You can build prototypes in PowerPoint or Keynote. My partner and I built http://www.thankthanknotes.com in 8 hours using Wordpress, a pre-built template, wufoo, paypal, and almost no code.

Now, if you have a genuine interest in programming that's a different story. I do know it's taken me years to become a half-decent developer (I come from a design background). So, have some patience. What do you do now? Did it take 9 months to be come proficient? But don't let a lack of dev experience/knowledge keep you from building something cool.