If I had to start programming from scratch without prior knowledge but with all the knowledge I gained after working on technology for years, I would change many things compared to how I started.
I wouldn’t do it because the traditional path is bad, but because the industry has changed a lot. Today there are more tools, more resources… but also more noise, hype and false promises.
In this article I want to tell you, without smoke or fantasy, what I would do step by step if I started learning programming today, what mistakes I would avoid and how to choose the right technology without falling into fleeting trends.
I have seen languages with a lot of hype disappear or lose relevance in just a few years. I have also seen technologies that seemed boring turn into pillars of the industry.
The reality is simple:
→ Language tools are
→ The important thing is to learn how to build solutions
When you understand how programming works (logic, data structures, architecture, problem-solving), switching languages is relatively easy.
Therefore, if I were to start today, I would not choose a programming language solely for the sake of fashion, but rather because of what I want to build.
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Before trying to create large applications, I would focus on understanding:
No try to memorize syntax. Try to understand how a programmer thinks.
This is where many give up: jumping straight to frameworks without understanding the basics.
Lack of direction in learning usually ends in frustration. Learning only through tutorials doesn’t generate real motivation.
If I were to start today, I would ask myself this question:
→ What do I want to build?
For example:
You should not explain, escape or modify HTML tags.
This would be the most accessible path to start with today:
The web remains one of the most versatile ecosystems. It allows you to create real products quickly.
This day there are two main paths:
If I started today and wanted speed to create products, I would probably choose a multi-platform approach.
I would start with:
The common mistake here is trying to learn advanced mathematics too early without building anything useful.
I wouldn’t expect to “know enough”. That never comes.
I would learn by building small things like:
The real projects teach more than any course.
One of the real superpowers of a programmer is not to memorize code, but:
Programming changes constantly. The ability to learn is more important than what you know today.
The technology has cycles of fashion. Always.
I have seen frameworks that seemed to revolutionize everything and disappeared. I have seen companies heavily invest in technologies that later abandoned them.
If I started today, I would evaluate each technology with these questions:
I would not choose technology just because it is trending on social media.
One of the biggest accelerators of career today is sharing knowledge.
I would create:
This not only helps others, but also strengthens your knowledge and builds professional reputation.
The programming today is not just writing code.
It’s creating solutions, products, and experiences.
If I started today, I would try to think from the beginning about:
You don’t need to learn everything.
You just need to learn enough to build something… and repeat that process many times.
The programming is not a goal, it’s a continuous path of learning.
