← Return to topic

How to learn to do things the "right" way ?

Jumpmommy · 7 Sep 2026 at 10:52 · permalink

I've been using AI a lot for coding, and I feel like I'm not getting better at making things and not learning how to do them properly.

For example, If I have complex db changes, cascading events, propagated properties that depends on hierarchy etc... I can get something that works but idk if it's actually production grade or is there a better approach.

I hope I formulated my problem clearly.

tcercsgs · 7 Sep 2026 at 10:55 · permalink

Stop using Ai.

If you want to learn to code, you need to be the one coding.

You can't learn to swim by watching a swimmer.

derskipie · 7 Sep 2026 at 10:56 · permalink

1. Think about it
2. Do it
3. Fail and reflect about how you should have done it.

or

Read about how others failed and reflected about how they should have done it.

klip88 · 7 Sep 2026 at 10:56 · permalink

Your problem is that you use ai without the knowledge. And you wont learn relying on something else that your brain.

Create a project and try to replicate what you do with ai but by yourself. And learn to use your browser to find answer. Not ai.

ebolotos · 7 Sep 2026 at 10:58 · permalink

Using AI is your problem. You aren't really learning how to code, you're learning to use chatGPT and that's not the same thing. Stop using AI and take a course. Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, etc. all have dozens of courses for cheap or free.

Jumpmommy · 7 Sep 2026 at 11:06 · permalink

I know but I will never catch up if people are using agents to build stuff, I can't compete with that.
Also it doesn't solve my original question how to find the proper way to do stuff where to find the solutions or answers people found

chupakabrikK · 7 Sep 2026 at 11:31 · permalink

Imagine if you were learning math and you said,

"I know but I'll never catch up to people using graphing calculators"

Learning to code without AI doesn't preclude you from using it in the future. But if you don't actually take the time to learn how to code by hand and truly learn the fundamentals, you'll never be able to actually utilize AI to it's fullest potential.

Also, what do you even mean by "catching up"? Do you think that if you take the time to learn without AI, that people using A will make everything there is to make and they'll be nothing left for you?

FLX_nf · 7 Sep 2026 at 11:37 · permalink

There is no right way. There always people who disagree.

\- lean programming in university course with math theory is the wrong way.

\- learning by reading a code in magazine (before internet exist) is the wrong way.

\- reading on-shelf book is the wrong way.

\- watching YouTube is the wrong way.

\- using AI is the wrong way.

I do all of the wrong ways.

amazingbiro · 7 Sep 2026 at 11:39 · permalink

Use ai. Dont let the haters take away your tools.

Using ai is just a different type of learning. More global instead of narrow and specific. It has its pro's and definately its con's.

I love using ai and how fast it helps me learn the interactions between different systems and parts of code. So many 'click' moments.

I truly dont understand the pushback at all. Its like saying dont use gps in your car, because using it isnt the real way to go from a to b.

Tech evolves. A lot of skill can be gained from usung ai. And granted..a lot of slop can be produced as well, im not denying that

amazingbiro · 7 Sep 2026 at 11:44 · permalink

No.

This is like saying you have to track the terrain and read the position of stars to travel from city to city, before being comfortable using gps.

Its just a braindead arguement. Because you could apply it to the thousands of other kinds of tech we use daily but somehow all those dont matter, and just this specific type, ai, does.

Its just weird..especially considering with gamedev stuff..a field already on the forefront of tech..and somehow the next step isnt to be used?

Use it. Just use it well.

chupakabrikK · 7 Sep 2026 at 11:48 · permalink

>Learning to code without AI doesn't preclude you from using it in the future. But if you don't actually take the time to learn how to code by hand and truly learn the fundamentals, you'll never be able to actually utilize AI to it's fullest potential.

Literally addressed it in my comment.

You need to learn to learn to code before you jump into AI doing stuff for you if you want to be able to debug stuff and know what's actually being spit out by the AI

Jumpmommy · 7 Sep 2026 at 11:53 · permalink

In the future,will it still be the case ?
Won't AI take over most of that ?
I'm just asking

amazingbiro · 7 Sep 2026 at 11:54 · permalink

It's not about the "real" way, if your goal is to get from A to B then sure use GPS, or a self driving car. But if your goal is to learn how to read a map the don't use GPS.