##Preface Generally when I try to learn a programming language, I need a goal. Programming can get hard when you bring in tons of libraries and frameworks. For example, in order to make shapes, you probably had to learn how to make use of the canvas library. This code might look familiar to you. Learning libraries is great, but eventually you need to know what each line means and what all the operations actually represent.
I like to learn new languages by instead doing math - something you already understand. Programming and math are really strongly connected, and it's fairly easy to write programs that do complex math for you. Less glamorous than makign cubes spin around, but it has it's merits.
For example, you could:
- List all the prime numbers below 100 (or 1000 or 100,000) almost instantly.
- Find the sum of the first 200 positive even numbers.
- Do even harder problems like this
- Solve much harder problems like these
The REALLY important thing, though, is that you find something to do that you think is fun. IF you're motivated and enjoy it, you'll learn more
##Interactive tutorials and readings
- CodeAcademy - I recommend doing the whole course. It's totally interactive and fun, and very easily digestible. Jump in at whatever level you think you are at, or start from the beginning to cement the concepts you've learned. You should be able to fly through the first several lessons. Break it up over a few weeks or a month or something. Go at whatever pace you want. It says the entire thing takes something like 10 hours.
I'll update this if I remember anything else.
##Other Resources
- Codepen - interactive online tool for writing html/css/js where changes happen automatically.
- JSFiddle - similar to codepen. Basically a matter of preference with regards to which one you like.
- MDN - Mozilla (the FireFox company) has a trove of developer resources. I don't use this often because the docs are kinda dry, but you can have a look around if you want.
##Text Editors
- Brackets - many of my friends like this because it shows your changes in realtime.
- Sublime Text - this is the editor I use most often. Don't really recommend for JS until you want to start developing locally hosted projects. Good editor for Python (my fave language)
##Other
Google is your friend. If you want to know something, just use the magic phrase
How do I ________ in JavaScript
In the first several results, you will likely see stuff from StackOverflow. StackOverflow is a question/answer site that both amature and professional programmers use A LOT. The people who answer questions on StackOverflow are geniuses. Trust them.
##Examples
In a web programming class, I made Conway's Game of Life for a project. It's fun to play with, and I made it completely from scratch. Just an example of what you can do with JS, since you said you liked graphics stuff. (This used Canvases, if you're curious).
If you ever have questions (or even if you dont) feel free to email me! My email address is bdavis (at) redspin (dot) net