Learn Any Programming Language in 5 Simple Steps

This article explains how to learn languages like Python, JavaScript, and C++ in just a few weeks. It wasn't always this straightforward. My first language, Java, took months of following online tutorials. Yet, at Amazon, I delivered a Python project within two weeks without any prior experience in the language. I later used the same approach at Google to quickly master C++ and contribute effectively to my team. This method has been successfully replicated for learning other languages like Go and Dart.

So, what's the secret? Is there a magic pill for becoming a Python wiz overnight? The truth is, the method is surprisingly simple, and its principles are rooted in historical approaches to learning.

A Lesson from History: The Power of Simplicity

The answer lies back in 1945, just after World War II. The British aimed to spread the English language globally, but English is notoriously difficult for non-native speakers. Their solution was to create 'Basic English,' a simplified version with only 850 words, a stark contrast to the estimated 170,000 words in the full language.

Basic English also featured simplified grammar, focusing on fundamental sentence structures. It was popularized through a successful BBC radio show called 'English by Radio,' which taught this core vocabulary and pronunciation.

How could a mere 850 words and a few grammar rules be so effective? More importantly, can we apply these same principles to learning a new programming language?

The 80/20 Rule of Language

To understand this, we must look at how languages are structured. Imagine the entire English vocabulary organized into concentric circles based on word frequency.

• The Inner Core: The most common 10-20% of words (I, me, you, eat, drink, etc.).
• The Outer Layers: The remaining 80% of less common words, with the outermost layer containing obscure words like nincompoop and teetotaler.

If you analyze a large body of text, you'll discover that about 80% of the content is composed of just 20% of the vocabulary (the inner core). This is a classic example of the Pareto Principle, which states that for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

This powerful principle was the driving force behind Basic English, and it's the secret to learning a new programming language with remarkable speed.

Step 1: Master the Core 20%

You might think that a computer language is fundamentally different from a spoken one, but let's test that hypothesis. We can apply the same circular model to programming concepts.

• The Inner Core (The Key 20%): This would include the most fundamental building blocks used in nearly all programs.

  • Data types: int, float, string, Array
  • Control flow: if/else blocks, for loops
  • Basic structures: functions, classes

• The Outer Layers (The Other 80%): This would contain more specialized concepts.

  • Intermediate: Polymorphism, inheritance
  • Advanced: Iterators, generators

If you analyze a vast number of GitHub repositories for any given language, you'll find that roughly 80% of the code is built using that core 20% of concepts. Therefore, the first and most crucial step is to focus exclusively on mastering this inner circle.

Step 2: Adapt and Research

As you focus on the core concepts, keep two things in mind.

First, the core 20% varies slightly between languages. For example, Java has an Arraylist, while in Python it's simply called a List. JavaScript's async/await syntax for handling asynchronous operations is unique compared to how other languages might manage it. You must research the most common constructs for your chosen language.

Step 3: Learn by Doing, Not Watching

Second, your learning method must be active, not passive. You can't learn French by only watching movies; you have to speak it. Similarly, you can't learn JavaScript by only watching tutorials; you have to write code.

Video tutorials often present polished, working code. Copying it teaches you very little. Real programming is the art of breaking things and then fixing them. This is why interactive learning is far superior to passive consumption.

Note: Seek out platforms that provide hands-on exercises. For Python, learnpython.org is a great resource. For JavaScript, W3Schools offers interactive examples. Find a similar platform for your language of choice and start building, breaking, and debugging.

Step 4: Beat the Forgetting Curve with Spaced Repetition

Knowing what and how to learn is only half the battle. We still need to solve two problems: how to retain what we learn, and how to approach the remaining 80% of concepts.

The solution to the first problem comes from the work of German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus and his famous 'Forgetting Curve.' His research showed that we forget new information at an exponential rate. Immediately after learning something, our memory of it plummets, and eventually, we only retain a small fraction.

However, Ebbinghaus also discovered a powerful antidote: revision. By reviewing concepts at increasing intervals, we can flatten the forgetting curve and dramatically increase long-term retention. This technique is known as Spaced Repetition. It's the same method used by language-learning apps that repeatedly show you the same words over time to lock them into your memory.

Step 5: Build Projects with Increasing Difficulty

So, how do we apply spaced repetition to programming while also learning the remaining 80% of concepts? The answer to both is the same: build projects.

This approach solves both problems simultaneously: 1. Spaced Repetition: As you build, you will naturally reuse the core 20% of concepts over and over, reinforcing your memory without needing flashcards. 2. Knowledge Expansion: To complete projects, you'll inevitably need to learn new concepts that lie just outside your current knowledge. This creates a 'breadth-first' learning path, where you slowly and organically expand your circle of competence, rather than diving deep into a random, obscure topic.

The key is to select projects of increasing difficulty. Start simple and gradually tackle more complex challenges. This ensures you are constantly learning concepts adjacent to what you already know, making the process much easier and more effective.

Conclusion: Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

It's important to accept that you will never learn 100% of any language. Just as you don't know every word in your native tongue, you don't need to know every feature of a programming language to be highly effective. Don't obsess over learning everything.

By choosing the right projects, you will not only learn faster but also build a valuable portfolio that you can showcase on your resume to impress hiring managers. Focus on this practical, project-based approach, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you can become proficient.