Learn how to code in 2024 with these courses
Considering a career in software engineering? We’re here to help with some of the very best resources for prospective programmers.
We’ll cover:
- What language should I learn?
- Pursue a software development specialization
- Six language-based courses for learning how to code
- What makes these courses different?
- Start learning today
What language should I learn?#
Before you can start coding, you’ll need to pick a language. Programming languages have different strengths and limitations, and are therefore better suited to solving different problems and fulfilling different use cases. You will want to consider which developer career path seems most appealing to you in order to know where to start.
However, it is worth noting that this decision isn’t as final as it may seem. Your first language is simply that– your first. You have a long career ahead of you and there are likely to be plenty of other languages and technologies that you’ll need to learn (in fact, developers often learn multiple languages, frameworks, and technologies throughout their career).
Let’s briefly cover a few of the most popular programming languages.
Python is renowned for its beginner-friendly characteristics. It is famously easy to read and debug, but this doesn’t make it just for beginners. Python has been steadily gaining popularity for many years now, and is often in the headlines for a wide variety of applications, ranging from web development, to data science and artificial intelligence.
Learning Python is one of the very best ways to start your software development journey, and many other certifications and bootcamps will start learners with Python for the very basics of writing code.
Get started in Python today
The tools that help create a document, a movie, or a game are all programs. This course uses Python as its programming language. Python programmers are in high demand. The programs you’ll learn in this course are specially designed for learners with no programming background. You’ll start with simple math, real-world problem-solving, and writing solutions as steps in a simple language. Next, you’ll learn decision-based solutions demonstrated via flowcharts and explained with execution sheets. Finally, you’ll learn to translate your solutions into Python programs using variables, conditional statements, loops, strings, lists, and built-in functions. You’ll also learn to create your own functions in Python. Plenty of practice programs with the facility of editing and running them in an embedded way will add to your confidence. After completing this course, you can start as a Python developer. Python is used in business, web, healthcare, education, data science, scraping, embedded systems, and games.
JavaScript (often abbreviated to JS) is a multipurpose programming language, much like Python, but it also occupies a much larger space in web development. Much of the functionality of web applications and websites comes from JS. If you plan on building websites or working in “front-end development” it’s a good idea to learn JavaScript. Thankfully, JS is also quite beginner friendly and is a great language for popular programming styles like object oriented programming (OOP).
Get started in JavaScript
JavaScript is a versatile language essential for web development, working alongside HTML and CSS to build both simple and complex web applications. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to JavaScript for beginners, starting with fundamental concepts like problem-solving and simple JavaScript programs. Through interactive exercises, challenges, and quizzes, learners will master control structures, loops, strings, arrays, and functions. By the end of this course, you'll have solid problem-solving skills, a deep understanding of JavaScript programming, and practical experience in writing clean, efficient code. This knowledge will prepare you for a successful career as a JavaScript developer and significantly enhance your employability in the tech industry.
Java is a versatile programming language that is similar to C and C++. Java remains one of the most popular programming languages, specifically for building client-server web applications.
Java became popular because of its support for object-oriented programming (OOP), but also to improve upon the limitations of older compiled languages (like C++). Java allows programmers to write once, run anywhere. This means that code written in Java can run on any supported platform. With this ability, the introduction of Java represented a big step in cross-platform software development.
Get started in Java today
Java is a high-level, object-oriented language known for its portability and reliability. Mastering Java is key for developers to build scalable, secure software efficiently. In this course, you will start by mastering the art of problem-solving with simple Java programs, such as the Bottle Filling example. You will learn how to structure your solutions, create execution sheets, and enhance your problem-solving abilities through practical exercises and quizzes. Progressing further, you will learn decision-making and branching in Java, understanding flowcharts, conditional expressions, and their application. You will also learn about Java basics, including the first Java program, fundamentals, conditional statements, and error categories, followed by in-depth lessons on working with Java strings and arrays. By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of Java programming fundamentals and the ability to solve real-world problems using Java.
C# (pronounced “C sharp”) is a simple, modern language that is based on older languages like C and C++. Given these roots, skills in C, C++, and C# are easily transferable. Additionally, Java and JavaScript programmers will also see familiarities in C#.
One of the main draws to C# is .NET. .NET is an open-source developer platform built and maintained by Microsoft. Developers can use C# to build highly functional, secure applications that run in .NET.
Get started in C# today
C# is a versatile and robust language, ideal for developing software applications from games to enterprise solutions. This course introduces C sharp fundamentals, starting with writing your first program and understanding core concepts. You'll progress to more complex topics like loops, string and array manipulation, and mastering best practices for code organization. By the end, you'll be well-prepared to pursue opportunities as a C# developer in industries like gaming and finance, equipped to create high-performance applications across platforms.
Like all of the previous languages, C++ (sometimes written as CPP) is a readable language that is well suited for plenty of different programming tasks. C++ is an extension of the C language that was built with object oriented programming in mind. It has expanded significantly over time and supports many different programming disciplines.
C++ is most commonly used for desktop applications, servers, databases, and video games. Most big budget AAA video games are built in C++.
Get started in C++ today
C++ is a versatile language known for its efficiency and flexibility, widely used in industries like game development, finance, and system programming. This course dives deep into C++ programming foundations, focusing on practical problem-solving techniques. You will start by learning basic problem-solving skills using simple programs and execution sheets. Then, you'll explore decision-making, branching, loops, and manipulation of strings and arrays using C++ programming. Finally, the course will cover functions and complex program structures, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the language's capabilities. By the end, you will be equipped with problem-solving skills, a solid understanding of C++ basics, and confidence in writing structured code, setting you on the path to becoming a proficient C++ developer.
Ruby is used for a wide range of applications. Ruby on Rails is a framework for web development, but Ruby can also be used for data processing, automation, and static site generation. Ruby is often compared to Python as a beginner programming language as they share a lot of functionality.
Get started in Ruby today
The Ruby programming language, known for its simplicity and readability, is perfect for programming beginners. This course introduces core programming concepts and problem-solving techniques, providing a solid foundation in Ruby. You’ll start with basic program development, decision-making, loops, strings, and arrays, reinforced by hands-on exercises, quizzes, and coding challenges. By the end of the course, you’ll gain essential skills that can advance your career as a Ruby developer in the tech industry.
High-level languages: interpretation and compilation#
High-level languages are languages that are readable by humans. When the code is executed they need to be translated into code that is readable by computers. This translation process can be done several different ways. Both interpretation and compilation translate human-readable code into machine code, but they do it in different ways.
These differences in translation means that program speeds may vary, or that code may not be cross-platform compatible.
Typically, languages like Ruby, Python, JS, and C# that execute at run-time are dynamically typed, and languages that execute at compile time, like C, C++, and Java are statically typed.
There isn’t one right answer#
Don’t become too mired in deciding which programming language is right for you. All of the above languages are dependable, popular languages that will help you develop your coding skills. The code and the specific use cases vary across languages, but you shouldn’t be too concerned about that right now. Instead, try to focus on building the problem solving skills and the muscle memory of coding so that you can grow as a programmer. There will be plenty of other opportunities to learn different languages in the future.
With that in mind, Python and JavaScript are among the two most popular languages for total beginners.
Pursue a software development specialization#
There are many different professional applications for any programming language you choose. If you want to get ahead, begin working towards a software engineering discipline. Develop your problem solving skills by thinking like a coder and solving real world challenges that prep you to be a professional software developer. Educative offers long-form paths that prepare you for a profession (even without a degree).
The world of software engineering is a broad one. There is a place for anyone, but finding that place may take a little bit of work. Let’s cover some of the most prominent specializations.
It’s impossible to really know what kind of developer you want to be until you get the experience to see what you like and what you don’t. With Educative’s paths you can see what real-world professionals do each day, and you can kickstart your own software development career by learning the tools and technologies you’ll need to showcase on your resumé.
Note: The roles listed below are only a small part of professional software engineering positions.
Front-end development represents the user side of web development. Front-end devs are responsible for building the visible side of a web application. The primary languages front-end developers use are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. While these are the most ubiquitous to front-end devs, there are many different tech stacks to choose from.
Become a front-end dev today
Front-end developers are in high demand because tech companies are always looking for ways to make their apps look and work better. To learn front-end web development, you must know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This Skill Path is the perfect place to start front-end development if you don't have a programming background. It comprehensively introduces you to the most important parts of the web, particularly the front-end part of web development. You will start with an introduction of basic terms in the web development domain. As you move on, you'll learn the basic pillars of front-end development, i.e., HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Next, you’ll work on smaller projects to get a strong handle on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Lastly, you will get a full, step-by-step explanation of how to get a website up and running on the Internet. By the end of this Skill Path, you will know how to make functional websites and web applications.
Back-end development is the server-side of web development. Back-end devs are responsible for website architecture, scripting, and communication with the database layer. There are plenty of different languages that can be used for back-end development. Just a few popular backend languages are:
- Python
- R
- Java
- JavaScript
- PHP
- Ruby
Front-end and back-end web development work together to create a functional web application that is easy and intuitive to use. The unison of these two disciplines is called full-stack web development. Full-stack developers follow the creation of a web application through the entirety of the system. They are able to work on every part of the application from browser, to the server and database.
Web development is a diverse world of software engineering, and we recommend that you spend some time getting acquainted with the nuances of each discipline. Front-end vs back-end is a common question beginners like to ask, but the best way to answer it is by familiarizing yourself with both and seeing what you gravitate towards.
Become a back-end dev today
Backend developers are responsible for the server side of web applications. According to a survey of recruiters, backend developers top the list of in-demand tech jobs. This Skill Path is designed for individuals who are interested in becoming backend developers but don't have any programming background. You will learn how to design and build efficient, scalable, and secure backend systems using Python and Django framework. By the end of this Skill Path, you’ll have a strong understanding of backend development concepts and the ability to build and deploy your web applications. Get ready to dive into the exciting world of backend development!
Machine learning is a complex process that centers around writing algorithms to sort, parse, and then learn from data. The main goal of machine learning is to develop models that can make informed decisions without manual input. By feeding machine learning models more data, more accurate connections between data can be formed, and the smarter the model becomes.
The most popular engineering discipline in tech right now is machine learning. Machine learning engineers are responsible for building artificial intelligence (AI), and they are in high demand at just about every big tech company. OpenAI’s ChatGPT made viral headlines, and Google and Bing aim to capitalize on the media’s attention to machine learning by announcing new AI powered search products.
Become a machine learning engineer today
Machine learning is used for software applications to help them generate more accurate predictions. It is a type of artificial intelligence being used worldwide and offers high-paying careers. This Skill Path is designed for individuals interested in machine learning but with little programming experience. The Skill Path begins by introducing the basic concepts of the Python programming language and terminology of machine learning, followed by a focus on supervised and unsupervised learning methods. It covers the different types of algorithms used in machine learning and how to select the appropriate algorithm for a given task. The Skill Path also covers data preprocessing, feature selection, and model evaluation. Additionally, it provides an overview of different libraries and frameworks commonly used in machine learning, such as NumPy and pandas. By the end, you’ll have hands-on experience using Python libraries and frameworks for machine learning.
Data science is a broad term that encompasses multiple disciplines like: statistics, scientific computing, and data analysis. While data science is slightly different from software engineering, there is a great deal of overlap. Software is crucial when it comes to parsing large amounts of data. There are varying specializations within data science, so there’s a space for anyone when it comes to finding your niche.
One of the easiest ways to discover data manipulation is through Python. Our data science path teaches you Python from absolute beginner to full blown data analysis with Pandas, a Python library for data analysis. Python isn’t the only language for data science, or the definitive best. It is common for languages like R, Java, C++, C#, and JavaScript for a wide range of data science use cases.
Become a data scientist today
Data Science is a highly sought-after and popular skill in today's global market since you can derive significant insights from data. These properties make data analytics one of the most desired career paths in the world today. This Skill Path is the perfect place to start if you don't have a programming background. The Skill Path will comprehensively teach you real-world problem-solving techniques. It will help you write step-by-step solutions. You'll start by covering Python's basic syntax and functionality to create programs. Next, you'll get a detailed overview of some of the most commonly used libraries and tools (NumPy, SciPy, pandas, and seaborn) of Python essential for data science. Finally, you will get hands-on experience visualizing data in various ways using Matplotlib. By the end of this Skill Path, you will be able to process, analyze, and visualize data in Python and start your career in data science.
Six language-based courses for learning how to code#
Learning how to code is no simple task. Luckily, Educative has you covered with our brand new introductory coding courses. These courses are aimed at total beginners and are written and vetted by university professors with decades of experience teaching people how to code. These resources explain all of the basics of coding in plain English. But, more importantly, they teach you how to think like a coder. By starting with the problem solving skills you already have, these courses help frame your learning journey in a practical, solution-oriented approach to programming. If you’re looking for the best way to learn the basics of programming, keep reading.
Like all of the courses and paths offered through Educative, these Learn to Code courses are text based. This means that you don’t have to spend time scrubbing through videos to reach the information you want to find. Additionally, Educative offers in-browser coding environments so you don’t have to bother with downloading and setting up your own code editor. All the code can be executed right in your browser.
Educative offers Learn to Code courses in each of the languages listed above.
What makes these courses different?#
As mentioned above, these courses are all aimed at complete beginners. They lay the groundwork for complete comprehension of introductory programming skills and beyond. Practicing and ingraining the fundamentals will set you up for success when it comes to complex topics like algorithms and data structures.
By starting your coding career off right, you’ll be able to soar to your dream job. Let’s briefly cover some of the fundamentals that these Learn to Code courses cover.
Now that you have an idea of what language you may want to start with, it’s time to get into the mindset of a programmer. Understanding the logic behind solving problems with programming is the most important skill when it comes to designing and implementing code.
Before you ever write a single line of code, we’ll make sure that you’re equipped with the tools to think critically and solve problems. Programmers are paid based on their ability to solve problems, not on their ability to write code. Learning a coding language is a technical skill that is integral to becoming a professional programmer, but it is not the most important quality of the best software engineers.
These courses will help you establish the logic and problem solving skills you need to begin solving coding challenges and understanding the true responsibilities of real software engineers.
The most important thing when figuring out how to solve software engineering problems is to take them one step at a time. You may be familiar with this approach from mathematics; the concept in computer science is very similar.
Below is an example of the type of problem solving you’ll need to be familiar with for more challenging coding problems.
Task: Measure water into different quantities.
Materials:
- As much water as necessary.
- One three liter bottle.
- One five liter bottle.
Rules:
- You may fill and drain the water bottles as many times as necessary.
- You may pour the contents of one bottle into another.
- You cannot partially fill a bottle.
Now that we have the groundwork covered, grab a piece of paper or open a text editor and write the step-by-step instructions for how you could measure out exactly two liters of water.
Remember: you can’t fill a bottle halfway.
Answer: Pretty easy, right? If you start by filling the five liter bottle, all you have to do is pour enough water into the three liter bottle to fill it. Then, you’re left with exactly two liters in the five liter bottle.
Other measurements: Try writing the steps to measure out exactly one liter of water. Now try four liters of water.
Hint: both processes should begin by filling the three liter bottle.
Of course, these types of problems aren’t really teaching you how to code, but they set you up for success when it comes to being a software engineer. Let’s get into what you’ll need to know when actually writing your first programs.
Check out this logic problem and more in-depth in our learn to code for absolute beginners series.
Programming basics#
There is a lot to cover when it comes to the basics of programming. The fact that each language has slightly different syntax adds a whole other layer of nuance to the topic, as well. (In programming, syntax are the rules that tell programmers what combination of symbols and characters constitutes a valid statement.) So instead of giving you a crash course on one particular language let’s cover the very basics and what they are, so you’re more informed when you actually get into the weeds of the course.
Data types#
Data types are classifications made to group data based on intent. One of the most important parts of understanding how your programs work will be knowing the difference between data types.
- Boolean: true or false (binary)
true,false
- String: text/characters
"Hello world!"
- Integer: whole numbers
8,49,-24680
- Floating point/double: fractional numbers
0.0,6.626,-273.15
Conditional statements#
Conditional statements are instructions that help a program make decisions. They function like a flow chart.
We’ll cover some of the most common conditional statements
if: Specifies a block of code to be executed if a condition is trueelse: Specifies a block of code to be executed if a condition is falseelseif: Specifies a block of code to be executed if a new condition is true
Loops#
Loops are specific instructions for a program to repeat certain blocks of code. Typically, these instructions are performed as long as certain conditions are meant. Loops fit together harmoniously with conditional statements to instruct computers to perform a vast array of tedious or time consuming tasks.
Loops are often written into functions.
Types of loops:
For: Repeats for a fixed number of iterations
# Print the elements of a list using a for loopmy_list = ["apple", "banana", "orange", "grape"]for fruit in my_list:print(fruit)
While: Repeats only while a certain condition is meant
# Count from 1 to 5 using a while loopcount = 1while count <= 5:print(count)count += 1
Functions, lists, and more#
Whichever language you choose, the course will conclude with more complex aspects of coding. You’ll learn how to define functions and see how useful they can be.
You’ll even get an introduction to data structures by working with lists. Lists are collections of values separated by a comma. A list is marked with square brackets on either end. Lists are a great way to begin understanding data structures and how data can be organized, manipulated, and called.
At the end of the course, you will even have the opportunity to work on complex programs that represent real-world applications for beginner programmers. These tutorials will guide you in creating programs that manipulate strings, returns n prime numbers, and more.
Start learning today#
We created these Learn to Code courses to help facilitate learners and their professional development. By demystifying the process of learning Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, C#, or Ruby our online courses begin with an intro on learning to think like a coder. By keeping this in mind as you continue on your learning journey, you’ll be able to train your problem solving skills in a computer programming context.
We currently offer language-specific courses for:
And, we offer career-specific paths for:
Happy learning!
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