Thanks to the Internet, there has never been a better time to learn how to program. Unfortunately, the sheer number of learning options can leave some novice coders stumped before they even get started.
- Take an online course
You don’t have to go to university to learn how to program anymore. Today, there are thousands of online programming courses that cover everything from the basics of HTML to data structures to complex algorithms.
Your first course should introduce you to the basics of the language and contain interactive modules and assignments to steer your learning in the right vector. The courses provide a structure for learning, which is important because concepts in computer science build on each other. An organized course makes it easy to learn the material and ensures that you’re learning the subjects in the right order.
- Watch video lessons
You’ve probably watched video tutorials on YouTube – why not do the same for programming?
While online courses are your best bet for hands-on experience, free online videos can supplement learning and satisfy curiosity.
- read books and e-books
Prefer the good old-fashioned approach? Pick up a book on your chosen language for beginners. Books will introduce you to fundamental concepts and help you write code. - Practice on real-world tasks
Programming is something you learn by doing – you can’t do without it. You can read about all the concepts and syntax you need to write functional code. But as long as you don’t apply the received knowledge in practice, the ideas cannot be fully realized in your mind. This is where projects come to the rescue.
A project is any program (or website) created in the language of your choice. In the beginning, projects should be short-term. If you are studying a course, you may be assigned projects aimed at reinforcing a particular concept. There are also many projects for beginning programmers that you can do on your own.
In addition to practicing concepts, projects provide two other benefits for effective learning. First, they will keep you motivated. Projects help you understand why you’re doing programming and set clear, tangible benchmarks for your progress. Each completed project means another skill under your belt. When I was studying, it was very encouraging.
- Find a mentor and community
Having a partner, mentor, or online community to further your learning can be invaluable in helping you develop.
First, I recommend finding a mentor. As you learn, you’ll run into problems that, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t solve. This is where mentors can help. A mentor doesn’t have to be a real teacher – it can be anyone who knows the chosen programming language and can explain complex concepts and give you a solution. In addition, an experienced mentor can help you follow development practices that are not described in textbooks, and give advice on developing a career in technology.
In addition to a mentor, you may be interested in getting involved in the community. Look for online groups, networking events and meetings in your area, and hackathons where you can network with experienced programmers.
- Consider signing up for a coding bootcamp
A coding bootcamp is a short-term training program that includes a full programming curriculum over several months. These programs are designed for quick immersion and are a launching pad for a career as a developer.
Development bootcamps are intensive and expensive – not something you should dive into without programming experience. These programs are designed for beginners who intend to build a career in development and are willing to spend the time, energy, and money to quickly acquire the necessary skills.
While graduates tend to find jobs in IT, understand that this is not a guaranteed outcome and that you will have to devote a decent chunk of your time and savings to such training. Nevertheless, it’s hard to beat a full-time learning environment surrounded by dedicated peers and teachers just like you.