[zipeldiablo]

Not the smartest, those who are born2code. The selection is here to separate those who can deal with the teaching system of the school from those who can't. The cool part is that there is no other requirements, you don't have to pay 8k per year for the school like students of other schools have to, and you get better results than public schools.

The only programming experience i had before 42 was some html/css (far from knowing everything), i could barely do a static website (and i'm not young either, i am 27years old), there is no way i would have learn so much (c, php/js/mysql, assembler, ruby on rails, using docker) all by myself with no guidance at all and absolutly no idea where to start. Being in 42 gives us the motivation, alone at home with a slower learning, not so easy.

Yes living in paris is expensive, but if you live in the suburb, maybe part-time work for some people (no deadlines means you can actually work if you want or need it), you can manage it, it's just 3years, with a 6months internship during the first year (you can be paid) and a third year with possible sandwich course if you need it.

[jokoon]

I won't live in paris ever again, sorry.

As to learning how to code, I bought a C++ book, and I learned the basics of C by myself, but never really coded anything until I got into some french BTS.