I find that when you memorize code your not really understanding what it does, so it's pointless learning. Also this way you can't really work with other languages as you only understand the syntax of one. Say for example I learnt C++ and know what each thing does, doesn't that equip me with the ability to write in any language as long as I have the cheat sheet, I can just follow the cheat sheet to remember the syntax, and this applies to every language. I find a lot of what is taught on the web focuses way too much on the code and not the functionality behind it, this way it's very confusing.

If i learn how C++ works the same way as I learn how a computer works, i'm better equipped to understanding the language - hence why computer hardware is easy to understand and code tends to be confusing, learning code most people only look at the words, there's no real understanding and you can't apply your understanding to another language. Generally languages are quite similar and overlap, picking up a new language is easier.

Edited November 26, 20187 yr by NullDrone

You don't need to memorise code snippets if you understand the language well.  You can take a problem and turn it into an algorithm.  You should have the language and concepts etc nailed down.  I don't get your criticisms towards online tutorials on this.  The code is what solves the problems so of course that is going to be the point of focus.

I think you will finds a lot easier if you just keep building things.  Procrastinating won't get you anywhere.  While you are procrastinating somebody else is building things—gaining experience and getting a job.

It's totally possible to have a working knowledge of more than one language. Most languages are just evolved versions of previous languages. Javascript, for example, has features of many languages, like Small Talk. I haven't seen a language that isn't based on some principle of the last 30+ years. For the most part, they all have variables, arrays, data structures, as these concepts are universally accepted as a good idea.