A Beginner’s Guide to Coding
As a beginner, coding may seem at times cryptic, difficult, and virtually impossible to understand. However, the reality remains that coding, like any other language, becomes relatively innate once you have mastered it. That being said, people often wonder where to start and what to expect on their journey of learning to code. Let’s look at some tips and tricks for beginners to the realm of programming.
Start somewhere.
Although not intuitive, beginning to code at least somewhere shows that you’re resilient to both you, and your future employers. Learning to code may be a steep learning curve for most people, so if you find yourself needing a break or wanting to quit, know those feelings are natural. Every developer has once felt the same and it’s unique to the lucrativeness of coding.
So many languages to choose from…
If you’ve explored the realm of computer science already, you may have noticed that there is a plethora of coding languages to choose and learn from. All are fair game for gaining experience, but it is important to note that languages have a commonality. If you are seeking to pursue computer science in college, you may want to get a head start on learning object-oriented programming with languages such as C++, Java, and Kotlin. In my experience, languages become easier to learn once you’ve gotten down the fundamentals of other languages, usually of the same category.
Looking to be the next Mark Zuckerberg?
Every developer or future programmer has experienced the thought of becoming the next “blank” when it comes to entering computer science. While this does aid in an entrepreneurial resolve, it is best to continue learning at your own pace. Before you know it, you’ll be surprised at the amount of knowledge you have and the creations at your hand.
Ensuring success.
Whether you have a compelling drive to learn programming or view it as a mere hobby, the key to success is following a clear path. For some, that’s a monthly learning goal plan, and for others, it’s working on projects every other week. Whichever your current pacing is, it is key to be consistent and work towards that goal with a pace and you’ll be good to go!
Reaching out.
Often, programmers come from a background where family members may not be in the field of computer science and therefore, it is difficult to converse with others about your passion. I recommend joining an online forum or a handy discord server to have a group of people you’re able to identify with. You may also reach out to me on my discord — @sarahak1786 — to ask questions, hang out, or find more people like you!
Best of luck to all new programmers!