For me, the language wasn't the difficult part (like how the author mentions semicolons, etc.) I was able to pick that up from reading books. I remember having a Python book that walked through some simple programs which I ran on my computer. After, I was able to write loops and do math with scripts, but I had no idea how that translated into actual software used by companies.
That's where the mentorship helped. Before, I only had a vague idea of how a non-static website worked. After, I had an okay understanding of the entire system, from the databases to the front-end, and how it was built. I learned about stuff like MVC, and got to the point where I could build a website on my own.
Possibly the most helpful thing was looking at segments of code, trying to work out what they were for, and then having people to talk to if I didn't understand.
That's where the mentorship helped. Before, I only had a vague idea of how a non-static website worked. After, I had an okay understanding of the entire system, from the databases to the front-end, and how it was built. I learned about stuff like MVC, and got to the point where I could build a website on my own.
Possibly the most helpful thing was looking at segments of code, trying to work out what they were for, and then having people to talk to if I didn't understand.