Self-taught coding: Essential tips for beginners
With the advent of technology, self-taught learning is becoming increasingly popular. According to a poll conducted by Hackerrank, around 27.4% of developers claim to be self-taught programmers. We’ve seen many self-taught programmers secure significant positions at tech companies because of the availability of great resources online.
Self-taught coding can be very beneficial for programmers planning to learn to code. Gone are the days when you had to enroll in a 4-year computer science program to become a software developer. You can still opt for this path, but it requires a lot of resources and time. On the contrary, self-taught coding can help you a lot.
It's a challenging path because you have to be your own teacher, motivator, and mentor. Additionally, you also need guidance and a roadmap to become an efficient and capable programmer. If you're on the hunt for delving into self-taught coding and want the right tips as a beginner, get ready for some tips and resources to help you in this journey. Self-taught learning is not a walk in the park, but it can be effective and exciting with the proper guidance. Let's begin!
Essential tips for self-taught coding beginners#
The internet is filled with coding resources for beginners and tips on how to start coding. With the availability of so many resources, finding the right one can take a lot of work. Before starting your learn to code journey, remember some basic tips as a beginner. They surely can help you in the long run.
Start with the basics#
At the beginning of your self-taught coding journey, the first thing you need to start with is learning the basics. Learners who are just starting and know nothing about coding or the tech world should start with basic concepts like different languages, HTML, CSS, front-end development, and back-end development.
Having a strong coding foundation is crucial before moving on to the next step. Grasp as much information as you can. Some resources that can help beginners are listed below:
Set clear goals#
The tech industry offers various roles—each distinct and specialized in its own right—such as front-end and back-end developers, data scientists, and system design developers. Although these roles might seem similar at first glance, they each have unique aspects. Therefore, it's essential to clearly understand your career objectives and develop a strategic roadmap to achieve them.
Define what you want to achieve after you learn to code:
If you want to build websites, you need to learn about front-end and back-end development.
If you want to build mobile applications, create a roadmap for app developers.
If you’re more interested in analyzing data, learn data science.
If you want to work with artificial intelligence, learn machine learning.
If you want to protect data and systems, learn cybersecurity.
Pick a language#
Now that you’ve set some goals, it is time to start learning a computer language. There are more than 700 programming languages available worldwide, so it can be tough to choose. Choosing a first language to learn coding for beginners can be a tough decision.
Some top suggested languages to learn for beginners are:
Python: This is often recommended as a first language for beginners due to its simplicity and readability, making it exceptionally user-friendly for newcomers to programming. Its syntax closely mirrors natural language, which helps beginners understand the concepts of programming without getting bogged down by complex syntax rules that are common in other languages. Python also boasts a vast standard library and a vibrant community, providing extensive resources, frameworks, and modules that allow beginners to quickly move from learning the basics to working on real-world projects.
Python is one of the favorite programming languages among developers and data scientists due to its intuitive syntax and advanced functionality. These properties arguably also make Python the most in-demand programming language in the world today. Python libraries make things easier and help reduce the time and effort required to solve big problems. This path will help you use your programming experience to quickly adapt Python to your programming requirements. You'll also go through a few brain teasers to test your understanding. By the end, you'll have advanced knowledge to confidently use Python in your next project.
JavaScript: This is an excellent first language for beginners, particularly for those interested in web development, due to its central role in creating interactive and dynamic web pages. As the only programming language natively understood by web browsers, learning JavaScript empowers beginners to immediately see the results of their code in a web environment, providing instant feedback which can be highly motivating. Its syntax is relatively straightforward, and the language supports both procedural and object-oriented programming paradigms, making it a flexible tool for various tasks.
JavaScript is a popular, in-demand, and widely used programming language today because of its simple syntax, modular nature, and ability to support all modern browsers. This path is perfect for you if you are new to programming. The path will teach you real-world problem-solving techniques and how to write step-by-step solutions in JavaScript. You will start by covering JavaScript's basic syntax and functionality to create basic programs. In the latter half, you will get a detailed overview of object-oriented programming to create scalable, modular, and cleaner code. Moreover, you will get hands-on experience practicing the implementations of commonly used data structures in JavaScript. Finally, you build a Tetris game step by step using modern JavaScript. By the end of this path, you will be able to write real-world programs in JavaScript and start your career as a JavaScript developer.
Learn from online coding resources#
Learning to code online is rapidly becoming the standard approach, with abundant resources such as coding platforms, courses, paths, and bootcamps readily accessible on the internet. This plethora of options offers a variety of learning methods and provides time and cost savings for aspiring developers.
Educative stands out as a leading tech-education platform, particularly for novices embarking on their coding journey. It offers beginner-friendly courses and paths, featuring integrated coding environments for hands-on practice, quizzes, and playgrounds to enhance the learning experience.
Learn to debug#
Some important coding elements can be skipped easily during your self-taught coding journey. One of them is debugging. Debugging is the process of identifying, isolating, and fixing problems or bugs within a software program. Bugs can manifest as errors, flaws, failures, or other unexpected behaviors in the code that prevent the program from functioning correctly.
While writing a code, errors can occur. And as a self-taught learner, you're on your own. That is why you should not forget to learn about different types of errors, how and why they occur, and how you should fix them.
Work on projects#
While learning to code, hands-on practice is very crucial. To learn programming, you need to jump into the pool and write programs yourself. That is why working on projects is very important as a programmer.
Start with simple projects and gradually increase the complexity. Solve commonly asked coding interview questions. Working on projects not only helps you find areas of improvement but also helps you build your portfolio to apply for your first coding job. Educative projects are a perfect platform for practicing your coding skills and working on real problem-based projects.
Stay updated with the tech trends#
The tech industry is renowned for its rapid evolution, which presents a challenge for newcomers to grasp its full scope. Staying ahead of the latest developments is essential for beginners and advanced professionals to remain relevant in this dynamic field.
To stay informed about current tech trends and industry insights, consider subscribing to technology newsletters, regularly reading tech blogs, or keeping up with daily tech news. This habit will enhance your knowledge and ensure you stay connected with the ever-changing landscape of the tech industry.
How hard is self-taught programming?#
Self-taught programming can be a tough journey. But with the right resources and help, you can ace it and become a successful programmer. Many people have done it, and so can you. We have many examples like Margaret Hamilton, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk. These are just a few big names on the list of self-taught programmers.
Educative promotes self-taught coding and always strives to provide learners with the easiest and most efficient resources. Explore our courses and begin your self-taught programming journey with Educative.
Happy Learning!
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