Returning to tech: How should I approach learning in the AI era?

tsitso khaboh — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 06:47:21 +0000

Howzit, dev community! I'm in a bit of a sticky situation and could really use some advice from you pros out there.

Here's my story: About five years back, I started learning C++ and was proper keen on becoming a programmer. Unfortunately, life threw me a curveball, and I landed a job in a different field. Now I'm back, excited to dive into tech again, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with how much things have changed, especially with AI becoming so prominent.

My main worry is about how I should approach learning now. Back when I started, it seemed essential to study everything in-depth - be it a programming language, frameworks, or concepts like data structures and algorithms. You had to know every little detail and practice till your fingers ached.

But now, with AI tools at our fingertips, I'm not so sure if that's still the best way. Here's what I'm grappling with:

For programming languages: Should I still aim to master every aspect of a language like C++, or is it enough to grasp the core concepts and rely on AI for the nitty-gritty details?
When it comes to fundamentals like data structures and algorithms: Is it sufficient to understand them theoretically and know their time complexities, or should I still practice implementing them from scratch?
For broader tech concepts (like web development, databases, etc.): Should I focus on understanding the basic structure and concepts, then use AI to help with specific implementations?

I'm worried that if I spend too much time drilling down into every detail, I might be wasting time that could be better spent on other areas. But at the same time, I don't want to end up with gaps in my knowledge that might hurt me down the line.

So, my questions to you experienced folks:

For a returning beginner like me in 2024, how would you recommend balancing in-depth learning with leveraging AI tools?
Is there a sweet spot between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation that I should aim for?
How are you using AI tools in your work, especially when dealing with fundamentals or learning new concepts?

I'm feeling a bit lost with all the resources and new technologies out there. I'm not sure if the traditional learning paths I started with five years ago are still the way to go. Any advice or personal experiences you could share would be incredibly helpful.

Thanks a stack for your help! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts and getting back into the swing of things.

Cheers!

DEV Community: tsitso khaboh

Returning to tech: How should I approach learning in the AI era?