What are the best resources for learning a new programming language?

In my experience, the best way to learn is through guided examples that provide you with a small sample of how it works in general. Afterward, you can start using the official documentation, online question forums, topic-specific forums, and artificial intelligences like ChatGPT as well.

there is a lot of learning materials out there, blogs, video posts and all this can be overwhelming if you are not looking for a very specific item. I find that online courses help ground you and teach you the fundamentals of learning programming. However this should not be all after getting the basics you can now use that knowledge to one further reading on the topics and two find coding challenges that focus on that particular topic to cement the knowledge

Coursera online courses are very good in terms of price/quality ratio: there are the top universities or the creators of the language that present courses at very affordable price, and with immense value.

Based on my opinion, using a Zoom call and a buddy system with accountability will be the best method of learning programming, with engagement and argument of each lesson. Not just one way traffic.

There are very good books, but look for the books written by the authors of the language or a framework, such as Alex Stepanov who is a co-author of C++ STL for the book on STL.

The best blogs and podcasts are those from the creators of the language or the framework. If there is a video webinar or a recording, this is even better, because you can see which tools, IDEs, and the configuration does the author use.

Official documentation should be the only place devs look for educational resources about a library/framework/language/whatever. By now, we all should know that docs is just as important as the code itself. I can assure you that library/framework/OSS/language developers know that. Otherwise, noone would use their tools. So, docs are the truth, everything else might be correct, but is most probably wrong and outdated.

we tend to overlook the documentation especially when you are importing packages in a project. Very often I see complaints that one can't solve a problem with a particular package and end up adding several unnecessary packages if one had read the documentation well. This can lead to an overly complex codebase or one that's quite big that affects performance. Personally before using any package I ensure it's mature enough and has been well adopted. if you use such a package chances are high that most of the target solutions are covered. Sometimes the documentation can be scarce or unorganized but if you go into the issues of that package you can find what you're looking for or you can raise an issue so as to help others

When trying to learn a new language, specially by practice. We find ourselves using a search engine most of the time to find answers to a specific problem or solution we are looking for, and most of the search results tend to be either from Stack Overflow, Reddit, or some other popular forum. Always look for the most discussed posts, or the results originating from subreddits mostly dedicated to that language or tech related. Another important point is to understand the given answer, not just copy and paste it, but analyze and see the whys and hows, this can help you both learn in how to solve the problem and maybe let you find a better solution off your research.

Pen and paper! Break down the basic steps of various everyday tasks that are controlled by software (traffic lights, cash registers, library loans). When you are programming, you are giving a set of instructions based on an understanding of the manual system - if you can't map that, well don't even start. Pen and paper helps you to articulate your thoughts to a visual representation, allowing you and others contribute to providing the solution. It may seem laborious but it also saves time in the long run.

Solve real world problems Using software you will be building. There are numerous problems around you. Solving it will showcase your ability to solve problems, using any language, in a proactive manner. Whether you work in a company or own your own business, taking on a problem head on and not letting it go till you fix it to the extent possible by you, is the most sought after quality that benefits any business or society. Be a problem solver, not knowing a language is just another problem you need to solve.

YouTube provides a wealth of free video content that can serve as a great introduction or supplement to more structured learning. The visual and auditory nature of video tutorials can help to clarify complex topics. Meanwhile, mentorship allows for personalized guidance, helping you navigate the nuances and challenges unique to your learning journey. A mentor can offer real-world advice, code reviews, and answer specific questions that you may not find in traditional resources. LinkedIn Learning, like YouTube, offers video courses but usually comes with additional perks like quizzes, project files, and a course completion certificate that you can add to your LinkedIn profile.

The best way to master cloud and network security is to combine practice with learning. Combine the use of the cloud services with exams and courses and certifications. Exams give you the knowledge to use the cloud services better, so you gain experience. The experience will help you pass the exams better. And so on, it is a circle.

The effectiveness of a learning resource is tied to an individual’s style. Some may find hands-on projects more engaging, while others might prefer structured online courses or books. It's recommended for individuals to explore a variety of resources to find what suits them best, as this exploration can lead to a more enriched learning experience. There isn't a singular "best" resource for learning a new programming language; it's the combination of personal learning style, chosen resources, and consistent effort that leads to effective learning and mastery of the language. Individuals are urged to explore, evaluate, and tailor their learning path based on what resources resonate most with them, ensuring a fruitful learning journey.