[siddharta]

The only way to master something is to use it again and again over a long period of time.

But if you are asking about getting started with a new language, then it will vary from person to person based on your mode of learning - some learn by reading, some by writing, some by coding, some by reflecting, and some learn by teaching. You need to figure out what your preferred mode of learning is and do that.

I learn by copying some other code. I'll find a small tutorial and follow along typing the code line by line. I dont copy-past, I actually type it out. I don't necessarily think about what I am typing, just following along. If its in a book, I'll type out some of the examples. After its working, then I'll find a different tutorial and type it out again. Usually after a few programs like this, I start to get the hang of the basics.