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What are the absolute best programming tutorials you've found for beginners?
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I've been trying to learn programming for about 6 months now and I've gone through so many different tutorials. Some are amazing, some are just okay, and some are honestly pretty terrible. I'm curious what everyone considers the best programming tutorials out there right now.
I'm talking about resources that actually explain concepts clearly, have good examples, and don't assume you already know everything. I've tried some YouTube tech tutorials that were great, and some Udemy course recommendations that were disappointing.
What makes a tutorial truly great in your experience? Is it the pacing, the projects, the instructor's teaching style, or something else?
Honestly, the best programming tutorials I've found as a complete beginner are the ones that start with the absolute basics and don't assume anything. I tried jumping into some intermediate stuff too early and just got frustrated.
What worked for me was finding tutorials that build up slowly. Like starting with variables and data types, then simple functions, then gradually more complex concepts. The ones that throw you into building a full app right away are overwhelming.
I found some really good free tech tutorials on YouTube that actually take their time. The instructor explains why things work the way they do, not just how to type the code.
For Python specifically, I think the best programming tutorials are the ones that emphasize Pythonic thinking from the beginning. Too many tutorials teach Python like it's just another language, but Python has its own philosophy and idioms.
The tutorials that really helped me were the ones that explained list comprehensions, generators, and context managers not just as syntax, but as ways of thinking about problems. They show you how to write code that's not just correct, but elegant and efficient.
I've found some excellent Python programming tutorials that focus on this mindset shift. They don't just show you how to solve problems - they show you how to think about solving problems in a Pythonic way.
What makes a tutorial great for me is when it balances theory with practice perfectly. Some tutorials are all theory and you're like okay but how do I actually use this?" Others are all practice and you're just copying code without understanding why.
The best ones I've found interweave concepts with immediate application. They explain a concept, show a simple example, then build up to more complex applications. And they include challenges that make you think, not just follow along.
I've taken some Udemy course recommendations that were amazing at this. The instructor would explain a concept, show it in a small example, then have you implement it in a slightly different way to reinforce learning.
For JavaScript, the best tutorials are the ones that acknowledge the language's quirks and explain them rather than pretending they don't exist. JavaScript has some weird behavior, and tutorials that gloss over that aren't doing anyone favors.
I look for JavaScript tutorials that explain things like hoisting, closures, and the this" keyword in depth. They should show you not just what works, but why certain patterns work and others don't.
The problem with a lot of YouTube tech tutorials is they skip the hard parts to keep the video short and engaging. But those hard parts are exactly what beginners need to understand.
From a career development perspective, the best programming tutorials are the ones that teach transferable skills, not just specific syntax. Anyone can memorize syntax - what matters is learning how to solve problems and think like a programmer.
I recommend tutorials that include debugging exercises, code reviews, and refactoring practice. These skills are what actually make someone employable, not just knowing how to write a for loop.
Some of the best tech skill building happens when tutorials force you to encounter and fix errors. The ones that show perfect code every time aren't preparing you for real development work.
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