Tutor a Teenager?

[HarrisonTZ]

Hey guys, First post . I am looking for a tutor who will help me get my feet wet in the world of C++. This is my first time getting into any programming language so I have no prior experience. I just recently started teaching myself, using the lessons on the 'Learn C++' website (currently on chapter 3)
and it's great, but the lessons are becoming overly tedious because there isn't enough coding, just a lot of reading. I do understand that reading is required, but when there is so much more reading than coding, it becomes boring. I am more of a hands-on kinda guy, which is why I am requesting a tutor. I know most people won't tutor for free, but I'm just too young for a job, so I don't have much to spend. If anyone is interested in tutoring me anyways, I would highly appreciate it. Thank you guys!

[GCDEF]

Couple of things. You're right that the only way to really learn it is to do it, but doing it is pointless if you don't understand why you're doing what you're doing.

Second thing, I don't believe you can learn C++ from a web site. There's just too much you have to know and understand. Typical tutorial books are 1,000 pages or more and they only scratch the surface. With that in mind, a good tutorial book should teach you by having you code lots of examples, and that's where I'd recommend you start.

Third thing, you need to learn to use the debugger right from the beginning. With the debugger, you can watch what your code is doing as it runs. It's an invaluable tool that all or us rely on heavily, and unfortunately it's hardly ever mentioned in tutorials and books. Just about every line of code I write, I watch it run in the debugger to make sure it's doing what I want it to. You can't program without it.

Lastly, if you just want to learn some programming basics, C++ isn't the best language to use. It's kind of low level, and while it's extremely powerful, learning it well is more involved than some of the other languages. As a beginner, you'd find Visual Basic, or perhaps even C# considerably easier.

[laserlight]

If you are willing to consider a different programming language, then I recommend Python. You can get those exercises you seek from singpath.

[HarrisonTZ]

Couple of things. You're right that the only way to really learn it is to do it, but doing it is pointless if you don't understand why you're doing what you're doing.

Second thing, I don't believe you can learn C++ from a web site. There's just too much you have to know and understand. Typical tutorial books are 1,000 pages or more and they only scratch the surface. With that in mind, a good tutorial book should teach you by having you code lots of examples, and that's where I'd recommend you start.

Third thing, you need to learn to use the debugger right from the beginning. With the debugger, you can watch what your code is doing as it runs. It's an invaluable tool that all or us rely on heavily, and unfortunately it's hardly ever mentioned in tutorials and books. Just about every line of code I write, I watch it run in the debugger to make sure it's doing what I want it to. You can't program without it.

Lastly, if you just want to learn some programming basics, C++ isn't the best language to use. It's kind of low level, and while it's extremely powerful, learning it well is more involved than some of the other languages. As a beginner, you'd find Visual Basic, or perhaps even C# considerably easier.

I am a bit confused as to what your point is up there. I asked for a tutor and you tell me all the things I need to learn... doesn't really make sense. If you are suggesting I learn the things on my own, that would completely defeat the purpose of a tutor, in my opinion.

[HarrisonTZ]

If you are willing to consider a different programming language, then I recommend Python. You can get those exercises you seek from singpath.

Guys... come one... I do realize that C++ is not an easy language to learn, but I went in knowing that. I don't want suggestions for other languages, just offers from people who are willing to help me with C++.

[GCDEF]

I am a bit confused as to what your point is up there. I asked for a tutor and you tell me all the things I need to learn... doesn't really make sense. If you are suggesting I learn the things on my own, that would completely defeat the purpose of a tutor, in my opinion.

I'm saying a tutor isn't necessary. Get a good book and work through it rather than trying to learn from a web site. If you have questions on things you don't understand or you get stuck, ask questions here. I kind of doubt you'll find anybody here that wants to mentor you one on one, but lots of people will be willing to help you. Asking questions here helps others who may be facing the same issues.

[HarrisonTZ]

I'm saying a tutor isn't necessary. Get a good book and work through it rather than trying to learn from a web site. If you have questions on things you don't understand or you get stuck, ask questions here. I kind of doubt you'll find anybody here that wants to mentor you one on one, but lots of people will be willing to help you. Asking questions here helps others who may be facing the same issues.

Thanks. I will find a book, then. You can go ahead and close this topic.

[STLDude]

If you are willing to consider a different programming language, then I recommend Python. You can get those exercises you seek from singpath.

I also second python, specifically if learning programming for the first time.

[Alterah]

I am with laserlight and STLDude. Python would be a great first language to learn. However, another thing you can do regarding C++ is to search for C++ exercises to do. I am certain you can find various difficulties of exercises online.

[HarrisonTZ]

Resolved. Thanks guys.

[Igor Vartanov]

I just recently started teaching myself ... and it's great, but the lessons are becoming overly tedious because there isn't enough coding, just a lot of reading. I do understand that reading is required, but when there is so much more reading than coding, it becomes boring.

This seems like being the most problem for you. I hate to discourage people, but you have to know that the situation is going to remain even when you gain more and more skills. Programming is an engineering discipline, so reading and understanding of what you read (and confirming that by other reading sometimes ) makes the most part of the job. So, if reading is boring for you, maybe you should think twice before starting this long journey.

I am more of a hands-on kinda guy, which is why I am requesting a tutor. I know most people won't tutor for free, but I'm just too young for a job, so I don't have much to spend. If anyone is interested in tutoring me anyways, I would highly appreciate it.

If I were in your position, I would think of some sort of C++ courses. In case you can't afford it, you're on your own, and self-education remains your best choice.

One more thing here, a sort of axiom: Not every good technical specialist is capable of good teaching. And those who really are rarely do that for free, as this takes a good time while people need to make their livings. So, I believe your chances to find somebody who would teach you remotely, with good quality and for free are really, really low.

[HarrisonTZ]

Don't get me wrong, reading is great, but when I have to re-read lines over and over just to understand what the author is trying to teach... I think that might be my main issue with the online tutorials. It kinda seems like they are explaining things using other things I that haven't even been taught yet. Maybe a book would be better. I have heard great things about Accelerated C++. Would you guys recommend this for me?

[laserlight]

I have heard great things about Accelerated C++. Would you guys recommend this for me?

Yes.

[HarrisonTZ]

I think you double posted. And awesome. Any more info? Like, why do you think it is a good book for me and in general?

[laserlight]

Any more info? Like, why do you think it is a good book for me and in general?

It teaches modern C++ with an approach that favours the use of the standard library before learning the nitty gritty of how to implement things. It also comes with exercises that you can use for practice.