I'm looking for courses that seem to be the opposite of this... no language or programming at all, but instead looking at the process of breaking down problems.
We've hired several devs out of bootcamp, and they're all taught how to code, but not how to solve problems using code...
Anyone have material that might be good for this? Books, videos, courses?
Put the newbie gumshoes to work by tracking down simple bugs and designing simple patches to fix them. They need to be able to read other people's code to decipher and debug the coding style they are seeing before they are allowed to build any new module themselves. They need to understand other styles so they can form their own. They should be able to detect any code "smells" and reason with pros/cons why their implementation could work better and provide proof (like execution timing or better readability).
Playing a lot of puzzle games help as well, especially games where the thing to do is very abstract like in a point-n-click adventure game.
> We've hired several devs out of bootcamp, and they're all taught how to code, but not how to solve problems using code...
Frankly any Algorithms & Data structures book should do the trick. Choosing the right data structure is often half the solution when solving a problem. That plus SICP and a book about Discrete Math should be enough for 90% of the daily problems.
How to Design Programs is written to address this issue.
From the preface:
The typical course on programming teaches a “tinker until it works” approach. When it works, students exclaim “It works!” and move on. Sadly, this phrase is also the shortest lie in computing, and it has cost many people many hours of their lives. In contrast, this book focuses on habits of good programming, addressing both professional and vocational programmers.
With “good programming,” we mean an approach to the creation of software that relies on systematic thought, planning, and understanding from the very beginning, at every stage and for every step. To emphasize the point, we speak of systematic program design and systematically designed programs.
My dad has been trying to learn to code and all the courses labeled "learn to code" seem to be coding on the web. Not learning "How to solve problems using code".
Ive had to take him manually through basics of control structures, variables,etc.
From a higher vantage point, the ultimate reference still is from Descartes in Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One's Reason and of Seeking Truth in the Sciences, esp. Part II
This is focused on teaching "computer science without a computer" to children, but some of my professors used it for bachelors students too. I'd highly recommended it to people of any age looking to get started with learning computer science: http://csunplugged.org
It's not solely a programmer thing. You might like to consider people who have been trained to solve problems eg Engineers or Mathematicians int al - they will probably give you more bang for your buck. They will probably have some rudimentary or rather better programming skills as well.
I've decided to make my course on complete full-stack web development free, forever! It's a massive amount of content. Please let me know what you think of the course!
Roben,
I'm actually disappointed to find out that you've made this course free.
It seems the folk on reddit gave you a nasty bit of pressure?
Well, i don't see how you're going to be able to maintain this project(100's of hours of videos) without earning anything for it. Quality is bound to decrease in the long run.
I believe you should stick with your previous model(Free for a month or two, subscribe when its useful or pay a fixed sum for lifetime access).
Maybe incorporate an Ubuntu-style 'suggested payment' part to the signup? You could have one or two reminders during the course if they choose 'Free'. Or supplement with paid-for content that goes beyond the course?
I agree that it's a lot of work and wouldn't be unfair to seek some compensation.
Obviously I don't have insight into what the creator will be doing with it in the future, but what I fully expect is these videos will be free, but the additional videos on React and other frameworks/languages will be offered at additional cost.
OT: The reviews on the frontpage are fake right? I'm not bashing the course by any means, I'm just curious. I see lots of services display similar user quotes and was wondering if it's a standard marketing practice.
I see you make heavy use of Cloud9, glad to see that I'm not the only one using it as a learning sandbox environment. It is truly a great platform, I use it to introduce people to Linux (terminal, editing files, etc.) without the hassle of setting a virtualbox, installing any software in their computers, or risking my machines.
I agree - I especially love that it allows students to bypass many of the headaches of installing the right dependencies (something beginners struggle with for hours or days). Cloud9 let's you get straight to coding.
Not sure if you're into Javascript development, but check out HyperDev.com - it's awesome! It takes things to a whole new level of fast.
I think we have Docker to thank for progress on this front.
I tried it few weeks back and sadly they force you to add credit card to proceed. Few seconds of googling showed people using fake ones to circumvent it. Not really interested in that nor exposing card details.
This is great work. And (this is not a jab at the creator) a signal for me to move on from web development.
We are now at a similar point to knowing HTML in 1998 would land you a plum job; except it's now frontend frameworks. There's going to be tremendous downward pressure on wages in the next few years; especially in web development.
I recommend everyone who wants to stay competitive to move on to harder things or leverage whatever soft skills they have.
Looks like this is from the same guy that did Codermanual. Wonder if he is actually going to be around to help for this course as he more or less abandoned the other one after a couple of months of it getting popular. I have a pretty bad taste in my mouth for this instructor still from that experience.
Why Choose Ruby for a beginner. Why not JS and NODE EXPRESS or PHP that would have made this more simple for people who are new to programming and looking to get a job.
I'm guessing this course isn't aimed at people who's new to Web development? how are we suppose to know some of those rail commands? like generate scaffold blog posts?
This course is comprehensive and goes from beginner to some fairly advanced content. No previous coding experience is required. You will be guided from the beginning.
i'm pretty sure that if you can't learn for yourself for free by using the internet (or even libraries and help files etc. like i did) your already starting on the wrong foot.
having the ability to solve that problem for yourself is important... if you struggle with that you will struggle in most real world dev roles imo, because you will need to continue to do this for yourself throughout your career.
[+] [-] hatsix|9 years ago|reply
We've hired several devs out of bootcamp, and they're all taught how to code, but not how to solve problems using code...
Anyone have material that might be good for this? Books, videos, courses?
[+] [-] sn9|9 years ago|reply
Think Python: http://greenteapress.com/wp/think-python-2e/
Polya's How to Solve It: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Solve_It
Udacity's Design of Computer Programs: https://www.udacity.com/course/design-of-computer-programs--...
[+] [-] BigChiefSmokem|9 years ago|reply
Playing a lot of puzzle games help as well, especially games where the thing to do is very abstract like in a point-n-click adventure game.
[+] [-] jackess|9 years ago|reply
https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Programmer-Introduction-Cr...
[+] [-] aikah|9 years ago|reply
Frankly any Algorithms & Data structures book should do the trick. Choosing the right data structure is often half the solution when solving a problem. That plus SICP and a book about Discrete Math should be enough for 90% of the daily problems.
[+] [-] orlandohill|9 years ago|reply
From the preface:
The typical course on programming teaches a “tinker until it works” approach. When it works, students exclaim “It works!” and move on. Sadly, this phrase is also the shortest lie in computing, and it has cost many people many hours of their lives. In contrast, this book focuses on habits of good programming, addressing both professional and vocational programmers.
With “good programming,” we mean an approach to the creation of software that relies on systematic thought, planning, and understanding from the very beginning, at every stage and for every step. To emphasize the point, we speak of systematic program design and systematically designed programs.
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/matthias/HtDP2e/index.html
[+] [-] adentranter|9 years ago|reply
My dad has been trying to learn to code and all the courses labeled "learn to code" seem to be coding on the web. Not learning "How to solve problems using code".
Ive had to take him manually through basics of control structures, variables,etc.
[+] [-] lloeki|9 years ago|reply
[0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse_on_the_Method
[+] [-] dbla|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wodenokoto|9 years ago|reply
https://www.coursera.org/learn/algorithmic-thinking-1
[+] [-] avg_dev|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sixhobbits|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] known|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lukaa|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gerdesj|9 years ago|reply
It's not solely a programmer thing. You might like to consider people who have been trained to solve problems eg Engineers or Mathematicians int al - they will probably give you more bang for your buck. They will probably have some rudimentary or rather better programming skills as well.
Bugger bootcamps ...
You pays your money and takes your choice.
Cheers Jon
[+] [-] SonOfLilit|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] emcrazyone|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rsdlearning|9 years ago|reply
He is teaching in javascript but the language he is showing you is irrelevant and it's all about the process
[+] [-] jsli|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bobwaycott|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] paki123|9 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] robtherobot|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gaius|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mcfrankline|9 years ago|reply
Well, i don't see how you're going to be able to maintain this project(100's of hours of videos) without earning anything for it. Quality is bound to decrease in the long run. I believe you should stick with your previous model(Free for a month or two, subscribe when its useful or pay a fixed sum for lifetime access).
[+] [-] alexhawdon|9 years ago|reply
I agree that it's a lot of work and wouldn't be unfair to seek some compensation.
[+] [-] freehunter|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alexhakawy|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] atmosx|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] JorgeGT|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] robtherobot|9 years ago|reply
Not sure if you're into Javascript development, but check out HyperDev.com - it's awesome! It takes things to a whole new level of fast.
I think we have Docker to thank for progress on this front.
[+] [-] 551199|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] robtherobot|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vipinsahu|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alexhakawy|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] throw20161123|9 years ago|reply
We are now at a similar point to knowing HTML in 1998 would land you a plum job; except it's now frontend frameworks. There's going to be tremendous downward pressure on wages in the next few years; especially in web development.
I recommend everyone who wants to stay competitive to move on to harder things or leverage whatever soft skills they have.
[+] [-] rsdlearning|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alexhakawy|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alexhakawy|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] webwanderings|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] robtherobot|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] akkartik|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alexhakawy|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] robtherobot|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jheriko|9 years ago|reply
having the ability to solve that problem for yourself is important... if you struggle with that you will struggle in most real world dev roles imo, because you will need to continue to do this for yourself throughout your career.
[+] [-] seaborn63|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] michaelkaufman|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alexhakawy|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] delblues|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ericzawo|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] robtherobot|9 years ago|reply