How to solve your Javascript woes for beginners

“I don’t get Javascript.”

“I can’t make components from scratch.”

“My mind goes blank when I stare at a blank Javascript file.”

“I can’t do it because I don’t know how to think like a programmer.”

Sounds familiar? You’re not alone, my friend. Many people who try to pick up Javascript as their first programming language face the same problem. Heck, even developers who are already coding in another language face the same issue with Javascript, too. There are so many with this problem, that I’ve even created a course on the matter.

But no more. Let today be the day when you learn to think like a programmer.

You can already think like one

Have you tried simple Javascript exercises on places like freeCodeCamp, Codeacademy, or Codewars? If you have, you already know how to think like a programmer.

The real reason your mind goes blank when you face your Javascript file is likely because of coder’s block. You’re scared to write something that doesn’t work. You’re scared to face the errors. You don’t know how to begin.

Follow these four steps to overcome coder’s block:

• Break down the problem into smaller problems
• Find solutions to your smaller problems
• Assemble the solutions in a coherent manner
• Refactor and improve

Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps.

Step 1: Break down the problem into smaller problems

How do you put an elephant in a fridge? Here’s what most people would answer:

• Open the fridge
• Put the elephant in
• Close the fridge

Step 2: Find solutions to your smaller problems

Step 3: Assemble the solutions in a coherent manner

A real example