“How to learn coding”, this is the typical question that students often ask me. Well, to find the answer of this question, first let’s understand what is coding actually.
Coding is the process of
creating instructions for computers to perform tasks. Coding can be used for
various purposes, such as creating websites, apps, games, software, data
analysis, artificial intelligence, and more. Learning how to code can be fun,
rewarding, and useful for your personal and professional development.
But how do you learn
coding? What are the best ways to start, practice, and improve your coding
skills? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and provide you with
some practical tips and resources to help you learn coding effectively from my
very own experience.
Why Learn Coding?
Before we dive into the
how, let’s talk about the why. Why should you learn coding? What are the
benefits of coding? Here are some of the reasons why learning coding can be
valuable for you:
- Coding can boost your creativity and problem-solving skills. Coding
challenges you to think logically, analytically, and creatively. You can
use coding to express your ideas, create solutions, and build projects
that you are passionate about.
- Coding can enhance your career opportunities and income potential.
Coding is one of the most in-demand and high-paying skills in the modern
world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual
wage for computer programmers was $89,190 in 2020. Learning coding can
help you land a job in the tech industry, or improve your performance and
prospects in your current field.
- Coding can make your life easier and more fun. Coding can help you
automate tasks, optimize processes, and save time and money. You can also
use coding to create your own apps, games, websites, and other products
that you can use or share with others.
How to Learn Coding?
Now that you know why
learning coding is beneficial, let’s move on to the how. How do you learn
coding? What are the steps involved? Here is a general overview of how to learn
coding:
1.
Choose a programming language.
A programming language
is a set of rules and syntax that defines how to write code for computers.
There are many programming languages to choose from, each with its own
advantages and disadvantages.
Some of the most popular
and widely used programming languages are Python, C, Java, JavaScript, Ruby,
PHP, C#, and Swift. To start learning coding, you need to pick one programming
language that suits your goals and interests.
2.
Learn the basics of the programming language.
Once you have chosen a
programming language, you need to learn its basic concepts and features. These
include variables, data types, operators, expressions, statements, functions,
loops, conditionals, arrays, strings, objects, classes, methods, inheritance,
polymorphism, etc. You can learn these concepts from books, online courses,
tutorials, videos, podcasts, blogs, or any other source that works for you.
3.
Practice coding regularly.
The best way to learn
coding is by doing it. You need to practice writing code as much as possible to
reinforce your learning and improve your skills. You can practice coding by
solving exercises, challenges, puzzles, quizzes, or projects that test your
knowledge and understanding of the programming language.
You can find these
resources from various websites or platforms such as Codecademy, HackerRank,
Codewars, LeetCode, etc.
4.
Build projects that interest you.
Another way to practice
coding is by building projects that interest you or solve a problem that you
have. Projects are a great way to apply your coding skills to real-world
scenarios and showcase your abilities to others. You can build projects of any
size or complexity that suit your level and goals.
Some examples of
projects that you can build are a calculator app, a tic-tac-toe game, a personal website, a chatbot, etc.
5.
Learn from other sources and resources.
Learning coding is a lifelong
process. You can always learn new things and improve your skills by exploring
other sources and resources that can help you expand your knowledge and
understanding of coding. Some of the sources and resources that you can use are
books, online courses, tutorials, videos, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, forums,
communities, podcasts, etc.
Some examples of these
are The Coding Train, freeCodeCamp, CodeNewbie,
Stack Overflow, etc.
6.
Keep track of your progress and achievements.
Learning coding can be
rewarding and satisfying if you keep track of your progress and achievements.
You can use various tools or methods to record your learning journey and
celebrate your milestones.
Some of the tools or methods that you can use are a portfolio website, a GitHub account, a blog, a journal, a certificate, a badge, etc. These can help you document your learning outcomes, showcase your work, reflect on your experiences, and motivate yourself to keep learning.
Below image summarises all of these about how to learn coding:
A pie chart with three slices: learning 30%, practicing 40%, building projects 30%.
How to Learn Programming Languages?
As we mentioned earlier,
there are many programming languages to choose from when learning coding. Each
programming language has its own characteristics, applications, and advantages.
How do you learn programming languages? What are the best ways to learn
specific programming languages? Here are some tips and resources for learning
some of the most popular and widely used programming languages:
·
How to learn Python:
Python is a high-level,
general-purpose, interpreted, and dynamic programming language that is known
for its simplicity, readability, and versatility. Python can be used for
various purposes such as web development, data science, machine learning,
automation, etc. To learn Python, you can use the following resources:
·
Pythonfor Everybody Specialization: A series of online courses
that teach the basics of Python programming and its applications in data
analysis and web development.
·
Automate
the Boring Stuff with Python: A book and a website that teach how to
use Python to automate various tasks such as web scraping, file manipulation,
email sending, etc.
·
Python
Crash Course
: A book that teaches the
fundamentals of Python programming and how to build projects using Python
libraries such as pygame, matplotlib, requests, etc.
·
How to learn C:
C is a low-level,
compiled, and structured programming language that is one of the oldest and
most influential programming languages in the world. C can be used for system
programming, embedded systems, operating systems, etc. To learn C, you can use
the following resources:
·
CS50’s
Introduction to Computer Science: An
online course that teaches the basics of computer science and programming using
C and other languages.
·
The C
Programming Language:
A classic book that introduces the C programming language and its features.
·
LearnC the Hard Way: A book and a website that teach C programming
through exercises and challenges.
·
How to learn Java:
Java is a high-level,
object-oriented, compiled, and platform-independent programming language that
is widely used for web development, enterprise applications, mobile
development, etc. To learn Java, you can use the following resources:
·
JavaProgramming Masterclass for Software Developers
(): An
online course that covers the core concepts and features of Java programming
and how to build projects using Java technologies such as Spring, Hibernate,
etc.
·
HeadFirst Java: A book
that teaches Java programming using a fun and engaging approach that involves
puzzles, quizzes, stories, etc.
·
CodingBat: A website that provides
interactive coding exercises and problems to practice and improve your Java
skills.
·
How to learn JavaScript:
JavaScript is a
high-level, interpreted, and dynamic programming language that is mainly used
for web development, especially for creating dynamic and interactive web pages.
JavaScript can also be used for other purposes such as server-side programming,
mobile development, desktop applications, etc. To learn JavaScript, you can use
the following resources:
·
JavaScript: The Definitive Guide:
A comprehensive book that covers everything you need to know about JavaScript
programming and its applications in web development.
·
TheModern JavaScript Tutorial ():
A website that provides a detailed and up-to-date guide on JavaScript
programming and its features.
· EloquentJavaScript: A book and a website that teach JavaScript programming through examples and exercises.
Common mistakes while learning coding:
Some common mistakes beginners make when learning coding
are:
·
Not
practicing enough:
Consistent practice is
essential for mastering any skill, including coding. Make sure to allocate
enough time to practice regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.
You can practice by solving exercises, challenges, puzzles, quizzes, or
projects that test your knowledge and understanding of the programming
language.
You can find these
resources from various websites or platforms such as Codecademy, HackerRank ,
Codewars, LeetCode, etc.
·
Not
checking the working of your code constantly and letting the code pile up
endlessly:
It is important to check
the working of your code frequently and fix any errors or bugs as soon as you
encounter them. This will help you avoid accumulating a lot of code that is
hard to debug and maintain. You can use tools such as debuggers, print
statements, or online code editors to test and run your code.
·
Coding
in isolation:
Coding can be
challenging and frustrating at times. You may encounter errors, bugs, or concepts
that you don’t understand. Instead of giving up or struggling alone, you should
seek feedback and guidance from others who can help you learn and improve.
You can ask for help
from your peers, mentors, instructors, online communities, forums, etc. You
can also learn from other sources and resources such as books, online courses,
tutorials, videos, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, etc.
·
Doubting
your knowledge and ability when you see errors:
Errors are inevitable in
coding. They are not a sign of your incompetence or failure. They are a sign of
your learning and progress. Errors are an opportunity to learn from your
mistakes and improve your skills. Instead of doubting yourself when you see
errors, you should try to understand the cause and the solution of the
error. You can use tools such as error messages, documentation, or online
search engines to help you find and fix errors.
·
Not
using proper formatting and naming conventions:
Formatting and naming
conventions are important for making your code readable, understandable, and
consistent. They also help you avoid syntax errors and confusion. You should
follow the standard formatting and naming conventions for the programming
language that you are using. These include indentation, spacing, line
breaks, comments, variable names, function names, class names, etc.
Writing standard code:
Some examples of good formatting and naming conventions in
programming languages are:
·
Indentation:
Indentation is the
practice of adding spaces or tabs at the beginning of a line of code to
indicate its level of nesting or hierarchy. Indentation helps to make the code
more readable and organized. Different programming languages may have different
rules or preferences for indentation, such as using spaces or tabs, or how many
spaces or tabs to use.
For example, in Python,
indentation is mandatory and is used to define blocks of code. In C#,
indentation is optional but is recommended to follow the convention of using
four spaces per level of indentation.
·
Spacing:
Spacing is the practice
of adding spaces or other white space characters within or between lines of
code to separate different elements or parts of the code. Spacing helps to make
the code more readable and consistent. Different programming languages may have
different rules or preferences for spacing, such as where to put spaces around
operators, parentheses, commas, etc.
For example, in
JavaScript, it is recommended to use one space before and after operators, one
space after commas, and no space before or after parentheses.
·
Line
breaks:
Line breaks are the
practice of breaking long lines of code into shorter lines to fit within a
certain width limit or to improve readability. Line breaks help to make the
code more readable and avoid horizontal scrolling.
Different programming
languages may have different rules or preferences for line breaks, such as
where to break lines, how to align the continuation lines, how to indicate the
continuation with special characters, etc.
For example, in Java, it
is recommended to break lines after a comma or an operator, align the new line
with the beginning of the expression at the same level on the previous line,
and avoid breaking lines in the middle of a method name.
·
Comments:
Comments are the
practice of adding explanatory text within the code that is ignored by the
compiler or interpreter. Comments help to make the code more understandable and
maintainable. Different programming languages may have different rules or
preferences for comments, such as how to mark comments with special symbols,
how to write single-line or multi-line comments, how to write documentation
comments, etc.
For example, in C#, you
can use // for single-line comments, /* */ for multi-line comments, and /// for
documentation comments.
·
Variable
names:
Variable names are the
names given to variables that store values in the code. Variable names help to
make the code more meaningful and descriptive. Different programming languages
may have different rules or preferences for variable names, such as how to use
capitalization, punctuation, abbreviations, etc.
For example, in Python,
it is recommended to use snake case (lowercase letters separated by underscores)
for variable names, such as user_name or max_length.
·
Function
names:
Function names are the
names given to functions that perform actions or return values in the code.
Function names help to make the code more meaningful and descriptive. Different
programming languages may have different rules or preferences for function
names, such as how to use capitalization, punctuation, abbreviations,
etc.
For example, in
JavaScript, it is recommended to use camel case (lowercase first letter
followed by uppercase letters for each subsequent word) for function names,
such as reverseName or calculateArea.
·
Class
names:
Class names are the
names given to classes that define objects or data structures in the code.
Class names help to make the code more meaningful and descriptive. Different
programming languages may have different rules or preferences for class names.
How to stay motivated:
Some tips and strategies to stay motivated when learning coding are:·
Have
an end goal in mind:
Having a clear and
specific goal for why you want to learn coding can help you stay focused and
motivated. Your goal can be related to your personal or professional interests,
such as creating a website, building an app, landing a job, or solving a
problem. You can also break down your goal into smaller and measurable
milestones that you can track and celebrate.
·
Be
realistic about your goals:
Learning coding can be
challenging and time-consuming. You should not expect to master everything
overnight or compare yourself to others who may have more experience or
resources. You should set realistic and attainable goals that match your
current level and abilities. You should also acknowledge your progress and
achievements, no matter how small or big they are.
·
Choose
consistency over speed:
Learning coding is not a
race or a competition. It is a lifelong process that requires constant practice
and improvement. You should not rush through the lessons or skip the basics.
Instead, you should learn at your own pace and review the concepts as often as
needed.
·
Build
up your willpower muscle:
Learning coding requires
discipline and dedication. You may face distractions, temptations, or excuses
that prevent you from learning or practicing. You may also encounter obstacles,
challenges, or failures that discourage you from continuing. To overcome
these, you need to build up your willpower muscle by committing to your goals,
resisting distractions, overcoming difficulties, and persisting until you
succeed.
·
Avoid
burnout and get rest:
Learning coding can be
exhausting and stressful. You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of
information, frustrated by the errors or bugs, or bored by the repetition. To
avoid burnout and maintain your motivation, you need to take care of yourself
physically and mentally. You need to get enough sleep, eat well, exercise,
relax, have fun, and take breaks when you need them.
·
Don’t
let impostor syndrome get you down:
Impostor syndrome is the
feeling of being inadequate or incompetent despite evidence of your skills or
achievements. You may feel like you don’t belong in the coding community, like
you are a fraud or a fake, or like you are not good enough or smart enough.
Impostor syndrome can affect your confidence, motivation, and
performance. To overcome impostor syndrome, you need to recognize your
strengths and weaknesses, accept your mistakes and failures as learning
opportunities, seek feedback and support from others, and celebrate your
successes.
·
Find a
community of like-minded learners:
Learning coding can be lonely and isolating. You may feel like you are the only one who is struggling or who doesn’t understand something. You may also lack the guidance or encouragement that you need to keep going. To avoid these feelings, you need to find a community of like-minded learners who can share their experiences, insights, tips, resources, questions, answers, challenges, solutions, etc. You can find these communities online or offline through websites, platforms, forums, blogs, podcasts, newsletters,
Learning coding can be a rewarding and
enjoyable experience if you follow some of the tips and resources that we have
shared in this blog post about how to learn coding. Remember to choose a
programming language that suits your goals and interests, learn the basics of
the programming language, practice coding regularly, build projects that
interest you, seek feedback and guidance from others, learn from other sources
and resources, and keep track of your progress and achievements. We hope that
this blog post has helped you learn how to learn coding effectively. Happy
coding! 😊
hhh
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