Honest Video: Things I wish I knew when I started programming

Summary

In this video, the creator announces the launch of a Discord group for community interaction and exclusive access for those who complete assignments. He shares his coding journey, emphasizing the importance of motivation, learning from online resources, and focusing on quality over quantity in coding. The video offers practical advice on starting coding with any language, finding mentors, and not comparing oneself to others. An assignment to build a token transfer website on the Solana blockchain is given, with the promise of elite Discord group access for those who complete it.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker announces the creation of a Discord group for community interaction and exclusive access for those who complete assignments.
• 🔗 Assignments are given to engage the audience and offer a tiered system of group access based on participation and contribution.
• 🎓 The speaker reflects on the evolution of learning coding, from college seniors to online resources and the importance of finding motivation.
• 🌐 Post-COVID, the landscape of learning has shifted towards online platforms, emphasizing the need for self-motivation and resourcefulness.
• 💡 The speaker encourages learning by doing, suggesting that tackling assignments and projects is more effective than passive learning.
• 🛠️ The importance of writing quality code is highlighted over quantity, emphasizing understanding and being able to explain one's code.
• 🏆 A focus on the project's outcome rather than the language or framework used is advised, suggesting starting with comfort and gradually exploring optimal tools.
• 🤝 The speaker advises not to compare oneself with others but to focus on personal growth and skills development.
• 🧑‍🏫 Finding mentors for motivation and guidance is recommended, but the speaker clarifies that it's more about inspiration than technical assistance.
• 🌟 The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of community, self-belief, and continuous learning in achieving long-term goals in tech.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Discord group mentioned in the video?

The Discord group is a community space where viewers can interact with each other and, if they have completed assignments from the channel, have direct access to the creator for discussions and further guidance.

What are the special groups within the Discord server and how can one access them?

Special groups within the Discord server are reserved for people who have completed assignments given on the channel. The more assignments one completes, the higher tier of group access they gain, allowing for better interaction with the creator.

What is the assignment given in the video regarding web3?

The assignment is to create a website that allows users to send any token to another Solana address, featuring input fields for the recipient's public key, amount, and a selection for the token type.

How does the creator suggest finding motivation to learn coding?

The creator suggests finding motivation by observing and following coding celebrities on platforms like YouTube, participating in hackathons, or looking up to seniors and professionals in the field.

What does the creator mean by 'learning something difficult that you've never done before'?

The creator encourages tackling new and challenging tasks to enhance learning. The first attempt may be hard, but with repetition and practice, one can master the skill and eventually become proficient enough to charge for services or solve more complex problems.

Why is it important to focus on the quality of code rather than the quantity according to the video?

Focusing on quality ensures that one understands and can explain their code, which is crucial for adapting to new assignments and maintaining a strong foundation in coding.

What advice does the creator give regarding the choice of programming language for beginners?

The creator advises beginners to start with a language they are comfortable with and not to get bogged down with the choice of framework or language initially. The focus should be on completing the project and gaining experience.

How does the creator define a mentor in the context of learning to code?

A mentor, as defined by the creator, is someone who can provide motivation and guidance, not necessarily someone who provides one-on-one coding lessons. They can be found through online communities or by following coding celebrities on platforms like YouTube.

What is the significance of joining the Discord group mentioned at the end of the video?

Joining the Discord group allows members to interact with the creator and other motivated individuals, ask questions, and receive support, which can be instrumental in staying motivated and progressing in one's coding journey.

What is the main takeaway from the video regarding learning and career growth in coding?

The main takeaway is to focus on quality over quantity, learn through challenging assignments, find motivation and mentors, and not compare oneself to others but instead focus on personal growth and skill development.