Getting help with Programming

Learning to code, or coding in a new language can be frustrating when something doesn’t work. For many, it feels like being stuck in non-moving traffic when you have to be somewhere in 30 minutes. Quite unpleasant. There are several steps to take when you are stuck or at a loss.

  1. Google and StackOverflow will become your good friends in this course. If you have a question, chances are someone has already asked and answered it. If R gives you an error message you don’t understand, try copy-pasting the error message into google Search – someone else has probably figured it out and posted a solution online.

  2. The course staff is of course here to help you. If you get stuck on something spend at least 5 minutes Googling/hacking at it. There is a good chance the first thing one of us will do is turn to google. Don’t spend more than 20 minutes stuck on one thing – at this point you should ask for help.

Aleksandr is an R expert and I have a good track record of being able to help as well.

  1. UNC provides R consulting on every weekday 9 am to 6 pm in Davis Library. Here is the schedule for the Odum institute. The Odum Institute consulting service is a walk-in service on the 2nd floor of Davis and R experts are available during all open hours. They are there for you. Take advantage of them!