Have you ever wondered how certain apps, websites or games are built? Day by day, the world becomes increasingly digitized.
In recent years, a lot of people have transitioned into tech. Even people without computer science degrees have landed full-time positions by learning how to code. With dedication and the right resources, you too can learn to code. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know to start writing code.
Let's start by defining what coding means;
What is coding?
Coding simply means giving instructions or tasks to a computer to execute. We can also define it as the process of transforming our ideas or problems into a language the computer understands, with the use of programming languages. Computers only understand binary code and programming languages like Java, Python provides a way for us to communicate with computers effectively,
Why should I learn to code?
Coding is a very valuable skill to build. it helps you develop strong problem-solving and critical reasoning skills which you can apply to different parts of your life.
There are so many amazing things you can do with code. You can build cool websites, games, apps or software.
Also, with coding, you never stop learning. There's always a new tool, technology or language to explore.
How to start Coding
Set an end goal
Before you start coding, ask yourself why you want to code. It doesn't matter whether you want to code for fun, build apps or advance in your career.
Coding takes a lot of motivation and consistency to perfect and without a clear end goal, you might lose interest or get frustrated before you achieve your goal.
Start by setting realistic long-term goals, choose a timeframe to complete the goal and set a schedule for studying and practice. You can use an app like Notion to set your goals and track your progress.
Choose a programming language
Once you have figured out why you want to code, the next step is choosing a language to learn.
As a beginner, it might be tempting to pick the most popular programming language and jump right into it. This is a risky move because not all programming languages are beginner-friendly. Also, each language has its specific applications so before diving into any language, think about what you want to build. This will help you determine the best language to learn. For example, if you want to learn how to build websites, you should start with HTML, CSS then Javascript.
If you're not sure of the language to learn, You can start with a general-purpose language like Python, it's easy and has a wide range of applications
Take online courses
You can learn to code without getting a computer science degree. Thousands of free online courses can help you learn to program. These courses
Study other people's code
Don't be embarrassed to ask for help or check other people's code if you run into difficulties while coding. You can search online or reach out to people who have built similar projects, you can ask for source codes directly or check through their GitHub repository. By doing this, you save a lot of time and you might also learn a new technique that you didn't think was possible.
Build projects
The best way to improve your coding skills is to build projects, this way you're not only learning a language but also using it to solve problems.
Your projects can also show employers how skilled you are in certain aspects of programming.
Be consistent
Consistency is the key to any successful career and you cannot become a skilled programmer without staying consistent. Avoid jumping from one programming language to another, pick a language or two to learn at a time.
Best online resources to learn to code
Most times, there's always a lot of confusion starting as a developer without a CS degree, you tend to overthink where to start, what courses to take, which language to learn, and so on.
A great place to start is to take Havard's introduction to computer science course on edX or Youtube. It is a free entry-level computer science program that covers the foundation of programming. You'll learn how to use programming languages like python, Javascript, C and SQL to solve intellectual problems. Although a bit lengthy, it is the perfect beginner-friendly course for people without any background knowledge of computer science.
Below is a list of some of the best online resources to learn to code;
W3schools is a free online educational website. It has about 8 different programming languages split into sections. It is my favorite go-to website when I need to do a quick search like 'how to center a div' or 'how to upload a file with javascript'. These courses give you structure so you can follow the correct learning path. You can also download the offline file so you can access it without a data connection.
- Sololearn
Sololearn is a beginner-friendly app that teaches you how to code. It has over 20 programming courses, including python, C++, Java, Javascript, Jquery and more. You can track your coding progress and also interact with other members of the Solo learn community. It is free, easy and can be used to code on your phone if you do not have access to a Laptop. Sololearn issues a free certificate when you complete a course.
- freecodecamp
Freecodecamp is an interactive online learning platform that teaches you how to code for free. There is no application process, all you need is to sign up and you get access to thousands of courses, videos, files, codes and articles put together by programming experts. You can build your portfolio by becoming a contributor to the freecodecamp community.
- Codecademy
Codecademy is designed to teach aspiring developers how to code. It has thousands of technical courses ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced. Signing up on Codecademy allows you to enjoy high-quality courses in different languages including C++, Python, Javascript, Go, Ruby, Swift, C#, Java, SQL, HTML and CSS.
- Udemy
Udemy is an online platform that provides educational courses on a wide range of topics. You can purchase courses and materials from top professionals in the tech industry to level up your career.
- Youtube
Youtube is one of the most important tools you need in your career, it has millions of uploaded videos from different developers all around the world.
There are thousands of tutorials, tips and personal development videos you can watch. You can take on coding challenges or participate in live hackathons. Many top developers are YouTubers so you get a view of how these professionals have built their successful careers.
Top Programming Languages to Learn in 2023
Javascript
Javascript popularly called JS is a high-level programming language used predominantly for client-side scripting alongside HTML and CSS for building responsive user-interface. It plays an important role in modern front-end web development, providing developers with libraries and frameworks such as React, and VueJS to add functionality and interactivity to websites.
NodeJS is a popular js framework used for backend development. Javascript is one of the most sought-after programming technologies in 2023.
Python
Python is a versatile, high-level programming language popularly used by developers and non-developers. It is considered one of the easiest programming languages to learn.
Python is a multipurpose language with many applications in web development, AI, machine learning, data visualization, data automation and many more.
Java
Java is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language often used for developing games, and web and mobile applications. It was developed specifically to reduce runtime dependencies, making it a fast and secure language for building applications.
Go
Go, also known as Golang is a multi-paradigm programming language designed by Google. It is used for creating highly scalable and efficient software applications. Go was designed to tackle common problems such as slow build time, uncontrolled dependencies and cross-language development.
Swift
Swift is an open-source language created by Apple. It is commonly used for building iOS, macOS, watchOS and Linux applications.
There's a lot of learning and practicing to be done if you want to be a successful programmer. Learning to code takes time, so don't be too hard on yourself. It doesn't matter if it takes months or years to achieve your goals, stay consistent and never give up. Remember, nobody becomes a pro overnight