Find the inputs
Look for command-line parameters, file paths, and settings near the beginning. Write down what the script expects: a folder, CSV columns, JSON fields, a local database, or a URL. The sample files show a concrete version of that input.
Trace one example through the code
Pick one row or file and follow it. Find the line that reads it, the condition that includes or excludes it, and the line that writes the result. Work through a tiny example before studying every branch.
Recognize a few building blocks
A variable names a value. A condition chooses a branch. A loop repeats work for several items. A function gives a reusable operation a name. A library provides existing tools for tasks such as parsing dates or reading CSV.
Predict a change
Before running, predict the effect of changing one input. Will a larger threshold include more rows or fewer? Will a changed filename affect input or output? Compare your prediction with the actual result.
Explain it in plain language
Finish with three sentences: “It reads…”, “It changes or calculates…”, and “It produces…”. If you can explain those parts and make a small modification, you are gaining a usable coding skill.
Put it into practice
Choose one small task from the library, run its example, and change one thing you understand.
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