Comment by Matti on "Is it okay to copy paste code while learning from online tutorials?"

CommentIs it okay to copy paste code while learning from online tutorials?

Matti

UI Designer & Webdeveloper

Feb 23, 2017

I think it's okay to copy and paste from a tutorial if you know what's happening and how to build it on your own! An example:

Learning node.js you'll often have this first step of creating a server.js. Maybe this is your fourth "Let's build XYZ with Node.js" tutorial and you already understand all the bits of that code and why everything where it is. So now it's absolutely okay to copy and paste.

But if you think omg what's going on there?! Learn the basics. You won't get anything from that tutorial if you just copy and paste.

I think the biggest problem with that tutorials is that people with just a minimal knowledge of javascript really think they'll understand Node.js with one or tutorials on how to build a Todo App.

At first you should know what does a server do? How and why they respond the way they do? What are the key things in Express and why is everybody using it?

And after you got this basics in your head: it doesn't matter that much how the code exactly looks – so go on and copy that stuff.

Md Halim

Feb 23, 2017

I do understand the basics, but sometimes I struggle with writing the code with proper syntax on my own....Thats when i start to question my competency :/

you don't need to do that. It sounds like you're starting your journey with Node.js. At this point it's completely okay to research the specific syntax for maybe a server.js. You'll do it 10 or 20 times but after that you're into it.

Programming is like everything in life: if you understand the basics and know what should come next you just need to repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat. You should not try to memorize every little snippet in your first try to implement something. Some beautiful day your fingers will do it for you without thinking about that ;)

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