The Ultimate Guide to Learning How to Code

The Ultimate Guide to Learning How to Code

Most people take for granted the wondrousness of technology. From banking and streaming HD movies on computers to connect with people on the other side of the planet on our phones, the modern world seems to be a magical one.

Yet the truth is that magic isn’t what powers these devices—it’s lines and lines of code.

If you’ve ever thought about learning how to code, you’ve come to the right place. Today we’re going to walk you through the basics, helping you understand how and where you can get started with it.

Read on to learn about how to get started with coding for beginners.

Understand What Coding Is

Many people know that coding is important but lack a clear understanding of what it is. Before you try to start learning how to code, ensure that you understand its definition.

Most programmers would agree that coding involves writing programs that allow a computer to execute different functions. While that sounds straightforward enough, the scope of these programs is immense.

You might already know that lines of code power the applications and UI on your phone, computer, and tablet. They also power everything from an airplane’s autopilot system to the microchip inside modern-day microwaves.

Go in With a Plan

There isn’t a wrong reason to start learning how to code but remember that there is a lot of information to grasp. In many ways, learning programming languages are like learning real-world languages—it takes months (and even years) of study and practice to get good at them.

If you’re hoping to master things in a matter of days or weeks, you’re in for a rude awakening.

Try to create a plan before you open your first study module. Determine what you want to get out of it, how much time and money you can commit to learning, and why you want to learn how to code in the first place.

Decide on the Right Language

Many newbies don’t realize the vast number of programming languages they have to choose from when first starting out. Choosing the right one is important, as some languages work better for certain tasks than others.

Let’s take a look at a couple of the most common languages.

Python

Python is one of the most popular languages as well as one of the best ones for beginners. This is because, unlike other programming languages, Python has a clear and easy-to-read syntax.

Python is also versatile and popular in many different industries. Learning allows you to get into anything from data analysis to machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Given its popularity, Python also has a massive community of experts and fellow learners. You’ll have no problem-solving problems and pick up new things since you have so many people who can help you.

Java

Java is another great language for beginners to learn. It’s simple, resembles the English language, and will always be a skill that can land you an entry-level programming job.

Most people who learn Java use it to develop applications on the internet, as well as on desktop and mobile platforms. However, like Python, Java is a versatile language that people in all industries can benefit from learning.

Check out this guide to learn a bit about Java versus Scala.

C#

If you’re looking for a language that eliminates the more intricate parts of machine-level code and allows you to focus more on actual programming, you might want to consider learning C#.

C# (pronounced as “C sharp”) is another popular and beginner-friendly language. It prioritizes productivity and efficiency, cutting through the complexity that many other languages suffer from.

Many programmers who learn C# do so to work with and design Microsoft programs. Microsoft originally designed it for that exact purpose.

Find the Resources That Can Help You Learn

After you decide on a language to learn, your next step is to find the right resources to get started. Unless you come from a programming background, you probably won’t have the necessary skills to learn everything yourself.

Try looking around on sites like Udemy for beginner courses. For a small amount of money, you should have no problem finding a course that comes with dozens of hours’ worth of content.

You can also turn to YouTube and different forums to help you learn. Just make sure that the people you listen to are industry experts!

Practice Makes Perfect

As is the case with real languages, listening to other people’s lectures can only get you so far. To really get a grasp on different coding concepts, practicing them yourself is essential.

Even if you’re just watching a video, try to mimic what the lecturer is doing. This will help you become familiar with the language and the different ways you can use it.

When you’re first getting started, coding by hand can also be a good idea. This forces you to know what you’re doing every step of the way. Pretend you don’t have a computer that can check your work!

Learning How to Code Made Easy

Whether you’re trying to learn how to code for professional reasons or because you want a new and fulfilling hobby, there’s never a bad time to start learning. However, as coding is a massive field, you do want to ensure you go about it in the right way.

Use this guide to help you get with learning how to code. By following the steps mentioned in this guide, you’ll have no difficulty establishing a solid foundation that you can then build off of.

Are you looking for more of the best coding tips? If so, spend some time checking out the rest of our site for more great content.