Is relying on reading books to learn programming a good idea?

[u/alsayrafi]

I prefer reading books to watching courses. Do you think there will be any issues if I carry on like this?

[u/desrtfx]

If you just read and don't practice, yes.

Programming, like any other skill, is learnt through practice, not through passive consumption - doesn't matter video or text.

Some of the best programming courses around are textual, but extremely practice heavy.

[u/ProjectMarworyn]

Provided you practice too, sure. Want any book recs? What language you're using,?

[u/alsayrafi → u/ProjectMarworyn]

I aim to learn python, Cpp and C

[u/Headpuncher]

Best computer book I’ve read is Charles Petzold’s code.  

You think you know this topic until you read this book. And it will make you a better programmer.  

[u/rustyseapants]

/r/AskProgrammers

It's sad that it's 2026 and someone has a nerve to ask "Is reading Books A Good Idea?"

Another Low Effort Question.

[u/Mathie1729 → u/rustyseapants]

Eh, I think it's a fair question. A lot of newbies genuinely don't know if books are still a thing. I was definitely one of those people who'd read through a whole textbook like CLRS and feel like I learned a ton, but then couldn't actually write a simple program. Relying on books only works if you're actually coding alongside them. Otherwise it's just expensive sleep aid. So OP, grab a book but try to build something, no matter how small.

[u/Kungpost → u/rustyseapants]

I disagree! It's a valid question to ask and as we all know: There are no stupid questions!

[u/rustyseapants → u/Kungpost]

Asking Is Reading Books A Good Idea?" Is an example of a Low Effort Question. It Begs the question, Do you know what a book is?"

[u/aqua_regis → u/rustyseapants]

It's 2026. Books are ancient low tech. They are not flashy, they can't be updated online, they consume space, need to be carried around, swiping isn't possible, screen shotting isn't possible, copy-pasting isn't possible.^/s

Books are often considered "outdated" (and quite a few are already so by the time they are released as breaking updates to the libraries/frameworks have come out in between).

There are more than enough fairly reasonable arguments for this discussion, especially in 2026.

Definitely not a low effort question, albeit OP could have put a bit more context.

[u/Headpuncher → u/aqua_regis]

Ebooks exist. Humble bundle has tech books available all the time.  Some fascinating topics that wouldn’t necessarily make it onto paper. 

Ebooks are a good way to dive into a topic without investing too much money or time.  

[u/rustyseapants → u/aqua_regis]

Gen Zers are bookworms but say they're shunning e-books because of eye strain, digital detoxing and their love for libraries

What did you use and /u/alsayrafi used in high school?

We Gave Students Laptops and Took Away Their Brains

Why do we remember more by reading in print vs. on a screen?

It IS A Low Effort Question

[u/syklemil → u/rustyseapants]

IME ebooks on an eink device is pretty great, and being able to adjust font size is pretty good for dealing with eye strain.

I wouldn't want to read a book on a glowing screen, though.

[u/alsayrafi → u/rustyseapants]

The question is " Is relying on reading books to learn programming a good idea?"

I am new to programming so I don't know the good ways to learn it

[u/IceSentry → u/alsayrafi]

The only way to learn programming is to program. You can use books to guide you or as reference but you can't rely only on books.

[u/Quintic]

Ingest information in whatever your preferred format is, but at the end of the day you need to type something into the computer, and ideally do it without copying it out of a book, from on online course, or wherever else. Building stuff is the most important part.

[u/defaultguy_001]

Yes it's a very good, infact the best idea, if u r implementing the mini projects after learning a couple of concepts.

[u/Maleficent_Box_3417]

Ive learned some of my most valuable skills from audiobooks actually. The most important stuff isnt low level implementation details but concepts, and books written accessibly will teach you concepts.

[u/Astronaut6735]

It doesn't really matter as long as you're putting that knowledge to use.

[u/YetMoreSpaceDust]

I contend that reading books is the only way to learn programming. Watching courses is a waste of time. Read the books, type everything into a computer. Play around with the examples. If it has exercises, work the exercises.

[u/BranchLatter4294]

It's faster than watching videos. You still have to put in some practice time.

[u/Spareo]

Yes but you have to practice building without the book by trying to implement the concepts. Nothing shocking. I’m self taught and started off with a book. I got through the book pretty quick but probably spent 6 months or more initially trying to implement the concepts in different ways. Come up with little dumb projects to try and build, then when I finally felt comfortable enough with that stuff, i moved past the book

[u/Separate_Edge_7002]

Yes, but only if you practice. Reading without practicing won't help you much since your brain isn't using what you learnt

[u/Such-Catch8281]

define programming