Programming Foundations
5 series & guides · ~35 hours
Syntax is cheap — thinking is the skill. This track starts with how programming actually works (decomposition, data, algorithms), then goes deep with Python, then rounds out with JavaScript, Java and CSS so you can read and build across the stack.
Python gets the 12-part treatment because it's the language I use daily for automation and infrastructure. The other guides are complete single-page paths from zero to working competence.
Python Tutorial
From variables to real scripts in 12 parts. The language of automation, data and DevOps.
Essays & guides in this track
Frequently asked questions
Which language should a complete beginner start with?
Python. Its syntax stays out of your way so you can learn concepts — loops, functions, data structures — that transfer to every other language. Start with the fundamentals guide, then the 12-part Python series.
Will AI make learning to code pointless?
No — it changes what's valuable. AI writes syntax; engineers still design systems, debug failures and make judgment calls. The 'syntax matters less than thinking' essay covers exactly this.
How much math do I need?
For web development, automation and DevOps scripting: basic logic and arithmetic. You don't need calculus to write useful programs.