Programming Concepts

Programming Essentials

The core mental models every program relies on.

Prerequisite knowledge

None — this is the recommended starting module.

Lessons

  1. Values and types~20 min
  2. Variables and state~25 min
  3. Expressions~20 min
  4. Conditions~25 min
  5. Loops~25 min
  6. Functions~25 min
  7. Scope~15 min
  8. Debugging and testing~25 min
  9. Mutability and references~20 min

Can I skip this module?

If you can confidently answer "yes" to the questions below, you may be able to move faster through this module or skip to practice.

  • Can you explain, without looking anything up, the difference between a value and a variable?
  • Could you trace a five-line program with two conditionals and a loop by hand and predict its output?

Capstone

Finish this module by attempting its integrative project on the projects page. Projects are scenario-based: you decide the implementation, and acceptance checks tell you when you're done.