Yes, agree about the last paragraph 100%. I'm only 19 and got into programming maybe 7 years ago. At the time I was gifted a Raspbery Pi. Next to the infamous Scratch, there were about 10 pygame examples. I got the itch to modify them. Trough trial and error I somehow found the source files and I just started removing code and changing numbers. At some point I started copying lines I've seen and recomposing them.
As I wasn't allowed to just go on the internet (yet), some time later I also got a CS book. By studying that, I finally was able to "program" what you would call it.
I agree all the way: Don't read about programming. IMHO, taking a (veeery easy, in my case it was Super Simon in ~200L Python) program, game if you wish, and starting to just change stuff around. This gets you comfortable with the concept of coding. "Formal" education (ie. books etc.) are only required once you already are fascinated.
This is the advantage of the young: They are not afraid to try out and break things. I'd suggest using this phase of life as it is intended.
As I wasn't allowed to just go on the internet (yet), some time later I also got a CS book. By studying that, I finally was able to "program" what you would call it.
I agree all the way: Don't read about programming. IMHO, taking a (veeery easy, in my case it was Super Simon in ~200L Python) program, game if you wish, and starting to just change stuff around. This gets you comfortable with the concept of coding. "Formal" education (ie. books etc.) are only required once you already are fascinated.
This is the advantage of the young: They are not afraid to try out and break things. I'd suggest using this phase of life as it is intended.