Thread: Codeacademy + Code Year

I was recently introduced to the concept of Code Year, which challenges people to learn how to program by taking one mini-class a week throughout 2012. The first course goes out today. I'm a bit skeptical, but I've signed up (it's free) to see what kinds of things they're offering. It might prove useful for users who don't know the next step in the learning process or are looking for challenges to test their programming ability.

Code Year is a part of a larger site called Codeacademy, which apparently offers free programming tutorials and allows you to compare your progress through the exercises to your friends' progress, all through a slick-looking interface.

I haven't looked into it in that much depth just yet, but it seems like a neat idea. I'm thinking it might be a good "check this out" type response for people who are looking to flex their emerging programming muscles (like Project Euler). So far everything seems to be in javascript, but hopefully they'll branch out to other languages as the site grows in popularity.

Anyway, I'd be curious to hear if anybody has used this site or is doing Code Year!

Originally Posted by KevinWorkman

I was recently introduced to the concept of Code Year, which challenges people to learn how to program by taking one mini-class a week throughout 2012. The first course goes out today. I'm a bit skeptical, but I've signed up (it's free) to see what kinds of things they're offering. It might prove useful for users who don't know the next step in the learning process or are looking for challenges to test their programming ability.

Code Year is a part of a larger site called Codeacademy, which apparently offers free programming tutorials and allows you to compare your progress through the exercises to your friends' progress, all through a slick-looking interface.

I haven't looked into it in that much depth just yet, but it seems like a neat idea. I'm thinking it might be a good "check this out" type response for people who are looking to flex their emerging programming muscles (like Project Euler). So far everything seems to be in javascript, but hopefully they'll branch out to other languages as the site grows in popularity.

Anyway, I'd be curious to hear if anybody has used this site or is doing Code Year!

Hmmm.... seems interesting.... Let's wait for the Java release. I am using it too for now.
Thanks for such an update.... And i guess i missed first lecture.... Can you post here the first lecture?

Originally Posted by Mr.777

Hmmm.... seems interesting.... Let's wait for the Java release. I am using it too for now.
Thanks for such an update.... And i guess i missed first lecture.... Can you post here the first lecture?

I'm not sure there will be a Java release. It might be all Javascript. That's okay, since I don't know anything about Javascript and should probably learn it anyway.

I don't think there are lectures per se. You just dive right into the first lesson by following the directions and using the online command prompt-esque control. Here's a link to the first lesson: http://www.codecademy.com/courses/programming-intro

Originally Posted by Melawe

Thanks for sharing.

I don't think I've seen this, but I remember the "what is your name" example from somewhere else. I think ruby's site. From the looks of the Labs site Codecademy Labs, python and ruby are next on the list, no Java. :/ Reminds me of Programr | Code It Online (lemme know if you want an invite ).

Very cool, I think I'll keep up the lessons, if only to get some slight experience with unfamiliar languages under my belt. I'd be curious to compare my results with other people going through with it, since part of that site is for social networking and friendly competition.

Originally Posted by KevinWorkman

Very cool, I think I'll keep up the lessons, if only to get some slight experience with unfamiliar languages under my belt. I'd be curious to compare my results with other people going through with it, since part of that site is for social networking and friendly competition.

Yea, it would have been great fun if it were in Java. I plan on learning JS sometime soon, maybe in the next coming months, when I've learned HTML. You might find this site helpful: http://w3schools.com/. Good luck.

Originally Posted by elisha.java

I just registered to use it and I think I love it so much although I already know some basic Javascript. It is very interactive. Thanks for sharing.

Oh yeah, its interactivity, coupled with the meta-gaming aspect (earning points and achievements for finishing lessons) really up the addictive aspect of the site. Some lessons to be learned there, perhaps...

Originally Posted by Melawe

Yea, it would have been great fun if it were in Java. I plan on learning JS sometime soon, maybe in the next coming months, when I've learned HTML. You might find this site helpful: W3Schools Online Web Tutorials. Good luck.

Eh, it wouldn't hurt to dive into Javascript in the mean time. And yeah, w3schools is my first stop for my many questions about html and css.

Originally Posted by KevinWorkman

I'd be curious to compare my results with other people going through with it, since part of that site is for social networking and friendly competition.

Check Programr then. Its getting better everyday. You can win cash prizes in some competitions.

Originally Posted by elisha.java

It is a good idea to double check your links before posting them here. Does that [programr.com] really exists?

I think it exists, at least it does for me. Try adding a www. before it, which firefox seems to do automatically. It seems like a neat idea, although I haven't had time to really check it out yet.