Self-taught programmers/devs, how did you deal with analysis paralysis?

3 pointsSubmarineClub2y ago6 comments

I took a couple of comp sci courses in just before graduating undergrad (up to Data Structures and Algorithms) and have wanted to go deeper in the subject since then. Every time I try to start though, I get overwhelmed by how much there is to learn and how many resources there are for every subject.

I'll start using one resource and then read about another one that some people prefer for x,y,z reasons. e.g.

Should I do Odin Project or Full Stack Open? Learning web dev sounds neat, but which course is best?

Or, should I work through the MIT OCW or Berkeley courses? Maybe a more comprehensive, official uni curriculum would be better.

or teachyourselfcs.com?

I'm also interested in learning game dev, so should I start with Unity or come back to it after learning more theory?

etc...

I think the hard part is that I want to optimize my time, because I'm working a full-time 50-60hr/wk job, so I don't have a ton of time after work to study, but I'm too ignorant to know what I need to study, and in what order, so I just waffle.

So, people who are self-taught, how did you get past the anxiety of studying the "wrong" thing or that there are big holes your self-guided education?

6 comments

cc1012y ago

I took a class in fortran programming for geologist in 1968, then I built a career growing along with the industry as it grew from nothing to this huge affair today.

The way I did it was not to get ahead of the needs of the current project. New computer? Read the manual. New language? Read the manual. New paradigm? Read the manual. No immediate need? Ignore it.

In 65 years the only time I studied something before I needed it was in 1982 when I studied Pascal.

Neither you nor I can anticipate the future. Keep alert and quickly seize opportunities. Don't worry about what you don't have an actual need for.

enasterosophes2y ago

When you say you're working 50-60hr/wk and want to load more learning on top of that, I feel concerned for you. You've described a sure path to burnout.

If you're doing this for fun, well, make it fun. Take it easy on yourself. Just work on side-projects when you have time and energy. No one cares whether you're an expert in something that you just do for fun.

If the goal is more to make a career switch into some kind of IT or computer profession, I can say that I've never encountered anyone who expected me to know everything. We're all grownups and we all understand everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. When we're looking to recruit, we want someone who is helpful and can learn fast, not someone who is already an expert in our whole stack. You'll be more likely to get the job you want from networking than from already being an expert in techs a, b and c. When networking, it's nice to be able to talk about what skills or side-projects you've been working on, but think of these more as ice-breakers than as things which need to be perfect.

To focus on the question about analysis paralysis, try inventing side-projects which align with your goals. Setting a short-term goal will help you figure out what skills you need. If you want to get into game dev, either build a basic game from scratch or start modding existing games, it doesn't matter what. You'll figure out soon enough if you need to learn more theory.

ssss112y ago

Choose one stack and start small. It’s the only way. Just one rabbit hole can cost you months of time you don’t have.

My stack is node and Vue because it’s all JavaScript and Vue feels easier than react.

dallas2y ago

Why destroy yourself? Work on getting that 50-60 hr/wk down or at least re-point it at something you want to learn on the job.

dexwiz2y ago

Automate parts of your job. Programming is a tool, not a profession. Use that tool in ways that benefits you.

catlover762y ago

This doesn't have much to do with your being self-taught, IMO, it's probably a feature of your personality. I have such analysis paralysis sometimes, though not as much as you, I think.

The real answer is probably that you should pursue whichever subject of CS/programing/tech interests you. If you want a fast, reasonable answer, why not just go the curriculum route? It should serve as a foundation for anything else you may learn.

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