Learn How To Program in 21 Days ??

[CMinus]

All of you have read this title before for many books , but do you believe in that ??
In fact I don't I have spent 3 or 4 months till now & I didn't learn much !!
Tell me UR opinions , thoughts about this kind of Learning books , etc..

CMinus

[z05DSL3A]

My opinion: Any Learn X in Y days kind of book is a waste of money, even if it is a free download.

[LB]

That specific book has a place on a list of books to never read ;)

[hamsterman]

I'm sure that the basic programming structures can be taught in a few weeks. Especially if it isn't C++ we're talking about. Programming, though, is more about problem solving, which is not as easy to learn.

[CMinus]

Okay Guys , So why they have high stars or many good reviews ???
Check This for example on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Sams-Teach-Yourself-Days-5th/dp/0672327112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329763304&sr=8-1

[Moschops]

These are reviews by people who have just read them. They think they have been taught how to program in 21 days. They think that's just great and they are very happy. The reviews are self-selecting; decent programmers tend not to review one of these books because they tend not to read them.

A survey recently showed that 100% of the population answer surveys. Get the point?

http://www.norvig.com/21-days.html

http://www.senjenworld.com/images/program21days.PNG

[CMinus]

@ Moschops I think u r right and this article by Peter Norvig is really meaningful !!

[thepedestrian]

I think people might temporarily learn to program a certain thing but the applicability might be null. Half of programming is solving challenges with the tools you are given and to have a deep understanding of your toolset takes time. I can learn to play "Baba black sheep" on piano in a matter of minutes and I can say that I know how to play the piano, but ask me to play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and I wouldn't know where to begin.

You are a perfect example for why claims, like the one you've linked, aren't realistic.

@Moschops
Excellent link to the article.

hamsterman wrote:

Programming, though, is more about problem solving, which is not as easy to learn.

+1

[ascii]

@Moschops
Excellent link to the article.

Agreed, his Ctrl-C Ctrl-V skills are, for lack of a better word, stunning.

[thepedestrian]

Hahaha. Maybe he's on a Mac?! :)

[Moschops]

Agreed, his Ctrl-C Ctrl-V skills are, for lack of a better word, stunning.

They're rubbish. I keep trying to use the EMACS bindings.

[roberts]

They're rubbish. I keep trying to use the EMACS bindings.

I love emacs. I never could get the hang of vi.

If I ever get my linux box back up and running, emacs will be the editor of choice.

[ascii]

Once I downloaded Emacs I never went back.

To stay on topic anyhow, those books are bad.

[CMinus]

Does It apply to every thing ( Not Computers & Programming ) ??
Languages , Skills ( Like Wood Crafting )
!!

[chrisname]

Once you go Emacs, you'll never go Emacs again.

[Moschops]

Once you go Emacs, you'll never go Emacs again.

Getting the CTRL key moved back to the right place makes an enormous difference :)

[chrisname]

Emacs is a great operating system; all it lacks is a decent editor.

Heh, I have nothing against Emacs really, I just like the trolls.

[quirkyusername]

I was sure somebody would've already posted this http://abstrusegoose.com/249

[zwA4jE8b]

f-in hilarious. Although I consider myself a pretty good programmer (lol, pgp) I did not, and still have never "hacked". I tried once, on here actually. a simple crack the pw program someone posted. but no luck.
finally, an alternative to xkcd, no disrespect. i love xkcd

[Moschops]

I was sure somebody would've already posted this

Yup, post 6 :)