How should you begin learning programming?
Thanks to the internet, there's never been a better time to learn to code. But the sheer number of options can deter some new coders before they even get started. In this section, we'll cover how to learn to code for beginners, with some recommendations for each step.
1. Find out why you want to learn to code.
It tends to start as soon as you start coding. But if you don't have an end goal, you can get frustrated and stop studying before you have fun.
So, before you start studying, think about why you need to know how to code. Think about the project you want to do, why you are interested in this skill, and what resources you have.
For example, suppose you want to become a producer to earn more money for your family. Do you know where you want to work and what kind of work they need developers for? Are you ready to take the time to learn to code, learn the right programming language, and create projects that show you've got what it takes? Creating such a broad goal can be daunting. Instead, start with small, specific goals. For example, imagine you want to create a mobile app for a friend who is training for a half marathon in a year.
This purpose will:
- Helps you develop the skills you need
- Give you an idea of a programming language to get started
- Set a deadline so you can manage your time while studying
2. Select the code language you want to learn.
If you're trying to figure out which programming language to start with, think about your long-term goals. Do you code for fun or for a career? Do you have a flexible schedule or need to get a job done quickly?
As a beginner, you can start with a language that does not use data structures or algorithms. If so, HTML or CSS is a good place to start. But languages like Java and Python are also good for beginners, and they have many applications.
It can take months to learn a programming language, so take the time to make this decision to make sure your time is well spent.
3. Take an online course.
Learning to code no longer requires a classroom. Today, there are thousands of online programming courses covering everything from basic HTML to data processing to complex algorithms.
Your first lesson should introduce the basics of the language and have interactive modules and activities to guide your learning. The curriculum creates a framework for learning, which is important because the concepts in computer science build on each other. This structured format makes everything digestible and ensures that you learn in the right order.
4. Watch the video tutorial.
You've probably seen a YouTube tutorial or two - why not do the same for coding? While online courses are your best bet for hands-on experience, online videos can supplement your learning and tap into your passion.
5. Read books and ebooks.
Prefer an old-school approach? Get books in your language for beginners. The books will introduce you to the basic concepts and make your secret known.
Here are some recommended texts for each language recommended for beginners:
- HTML/CSS: A Beginner's Guide to HTML and CSS for Consumers
- JavaScript: Critical JavaScript: An Introduction to Programming
- Dungeon: The Crash Course
- C: A Complete Beginner's Guide to C Programming
- C++: An Introduction to C++
- C#: C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0 - Modern cross-platform development: build applications in C#
- Java: Java is good
- PHP: Basic PHP and MySQL first
- Ruby: an established rubyist
- SQL: SQL in 10 Minutes, Sams Teaches Yourself
- Swift: Programming Swift: The Big Nerd Ranch's Guide
Use tools that make it easy to learn to code. While it's good to know that you don't need special tools to write code, there are tools that can help.
6. Code editor
Text editors include features that make coding easier, such as color coding, auto-complete, find and replace, and dark mode. Many experts use code editors. This tool can help you write clean code quickly. Code editors are similar to text editors, but they have additional features that help you manage and edit your code such as:
- Defines the syntax
- Search code
- around the edge
- Notepad++, Sublime Text and Emacs are popular editors for beginners.
- Console
You will also need to know your computer better. When you start coding, you will learn how to navigate the console. This is the text-based interface of your operating system. The console allows you to find files and execute commands on them faster than a standard user interface (GUI). Familiarize yourself with its usage, including basic UNIX commands, because you will be doing things that are not possible with the GUI.
Project management
Most projects start out simple but get more complicated as the project progresses. Using project management tools, you can share files, improve schedules and divide different parts of a project. This makes it easy to keep side projects and other files as you stay on your schedule.
Correction
As you work on your secret mission, you may encounter bugs, roadblocks, and other challenges. It can be very frustrating. Plastic ducky repair may seem silly, but it can help you to simplify your problem and find a useful solution.