Programming is now ranked as one of the most sought-after skills in the job market around the world. The beauty is that you can learn how to code even without a college diploma or degree! You can even learn how to code and switch your career to tech. Now, if you are looking to start coding as a beginner, you are in the right place. Here is a comprehensive guide on getting started in coding on your path to being a pro:
Choose the Right Programming Language
As a beginner getting started in coding, the best place to start is to pick the right programming language. You might already know that there are many programming languages including the likes of JavaScript, C, C++, Java, Python, Java, and Kotlin just to name a few. So, how do you pick the right one?
Well, here are some of the factors to keep in mind as you pick a programming language:
- Job Market Demands: If you would like to find a job with your coding skill, then you ought to think about the demands in the job market. You could look into job listings to find out which programming languages are used for the roles you are looking to get into.
Say you are a beginner looking to start as an Android developer. You can go for a language like Kotlin rather than Java, given that Google is now shifting to support Kotlin as the preferred language for Android development.
You can also look at profiles of professionals working in your target field on LinkedIn and GitHub. This can give you an idea of which languages are in demand for specific roles and industries.
- Factor in Your Interests: You should also assess what you want to accomplish with your programming skills. For example, are you interested in web development, mobile apps, data analysis, and game development?
Again, remember that different languages are better suited for specific domains. - Ease of Learning: Some languages tend to have a simpler syntax that is easier to learn as a beginner. For instance, Python is known for being beginner-friendly. It can help you grasp programming concepts you can apply to learn other languages faster!
- Community and Resources: It is also wise to go for languages with active communities and abundant learning resources. A strong community means you’ll find more tutorials, forums, and online support to help you when you encounter challenges as a beginner in coding.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with a few languages by writing some simple programs or completing introductory tutorials in different languages to get a feel before you settle for the right one.
Learn By Building Projects
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. The best way to hone your skill as a beginner is to write code! In fact, you should challenge yourself with small beginner-friendly projects.
For instance, if you are looking to learn how to build web apps, you could start by learning how to build a simple personal website. Perhaps you can create one to showcase your portfolio, interests, and contact information using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
You could take advantage of free hosting platforms like Heroku, which is great whenever you want to host your web applications in a production environment. There are also other nice free Heroku alternatives that have free tiers that are tailored for beginners. Some even allow you to host and test small applications without asking for a credit card.
Use Physical & Online Learning Platforms
You can also tap into online learning platforms like YouTube to gain knowledge and skills in programming. You can also use popular learning platforms like Codecademy, Coursera, or freeCodeCamp to access interactive tutorials and coding exercises.
Most of these platforms provide structured courses, making it easier for beginners to grasp concepts and practice coding in real-time. Some of them are even free!
Finding and joining boot camps is another way to accelerate your learning process. Good physical and online boot camps will emphasize hands-on learning-you will work on real-world projects. This way, you will gain practical experience that helps solidify theoretical programming concepts.
You can also use it as an opportunity to build a portfolio of work you can showcase to potential employers.
Create a Nice Portfolio
Talking of creating a portfolio, you will need to showcase your skills, projects, and progress to potential employers or clients. Simply, choose a platform like a website or GitHub Pages to host your portfolio. Then, showcase your coding projects including project titles, descriptions, and relevant technologies used. Better even, add links to live demos and GitHub repositories.
You can create an “About Me” section where you can introduce yourself and your background. Capture things like your interests, aspirations, and what motivated you to start coding.
Remember to list the programming languages you are good at and mention any coding boot camps, courses, or certifications you’ve completed.
Tip: Do your best to keep the portfolio polished, concise, and focused on showcasing your best work. With time and continuous learning, your portfolio will grow.
Find Internships & Entry Level Opportunities
Once you have grasped the basic concepts and built some real-world projects, it is time to put your skill into products and even start earning some cash. One way to do so is to find internships or even entry-level jobs that can help hone your coding craft.
Internships and entry-level jobs in tech will provide hands-on experience with real projects and tasks, plus you will be exposed to industry things like best practices, coding standards, and project management methodologies.
This practical exposure will help you apply the theoretical knowledge you’ve learned and understand how programming concepts are used in real-world scenarios
It is also an opportunity to work with experienced developers and be part of a professional development team. Collaborating with others fosters learning from more experienced peers and understanding how to work in a team environment.
Wrapping up
In a nutshell, you can get started from being a beginner in coding to being a pro developer! There are many resources online and platforms that can help you start learning programming from scratch. So, start with the resources you have including free online tutorials on Youtube. Then, build up the skills through other online learning platforms, boot camps, and Internships. Remember, persistence is key and the more you code, the more confident and skilled you’ll become. You are bound to start earning from your skill soon!
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