By the end of this blog, you will be able to pick your first coding project yourself and also learn which path to take in your journey to learn how to code.
If you are here to learn about how to code as a beginner, it means that you have already decided to learn coding. It is all well and good, but have you asked yourself, ‘why learn to code?’ If not, then now is a good time to think about it and discuss things before you deep dive into the field.
Why learn to code?
Just like anything you do in life needs a strong intent and motivation, the same way picking up a field to study needs a solid motive. In this case, you need to have a good reason to learn coding. Are you already in the IT industry, and it requires you to pick up coding? Have you always found coding very interesting and wanted to meddle in it? Did you think of learning coding because everyone is doing it these days? Are you in it because programmers are paid highly? These are the questions you should ask yourself first.
If you find that you are pushing yourself to learn how to code without a genuine interest in it, you will only be able to progress as much as the next fish that is trying to climb a tree. So, before you learn how to code, learn why you want to code.
How to learn coding from scratch?
If you are still here, then hello and welcome to the vast world of computer science and programming. Coding, as you may already know, can have extensive applications almost everywhere. So, here is the second set of questions you need to ask yourself. I know you must be wondering why you are being questioned at every step when all you want to do is simply learn how to code, but do pay attention to this. You will understand what I’m getting at soon. Ask yourself: Where do I want to use coding after I have learned it? Do I want to create a website? Would bots be interesting to program? Are apps more interesting to me? Do I want to use microcontrollers?
Check out this interesting video on ‘How to Start Coding’:
Once you have narrowed down your purpose, you can hop on to the next step, and that is finding out what language and tools you need to learn to achieve that practical application. What are the requirements? This will make it very organized and easier for you to pick the right programming language to start with. Keep in mind to start simple.
Set up your computer to be compatible with the tools that you will need to use. While it could be as simple as using your text editor, you will need to save your written code in the correct file type for your computer to be able to appropriately read it and make it perform the way you want it to. Therefore, you need to make sure to install everything that is required to run your code on your computer.
A good suggestion for you is to get used to the command-line interface or CLI. As a programmer, you cannot rely on a graphical user interface (GUI) for certain programming and maintenance, and you will find the use of the command line almost every day.
Languages You Can Pick for Coding
You might have heard of programming languages such as C++, C#, Python, JavaScript, Swift, Java, R, etc. The list is long, but what I want you to think about is your immediate project and the language that will be the easiest for you to pick up and learn.
The best way to learn to code is by starting with something very basic and easy. Before that, let me give you a brief introduction to different programming languages, so you can get an idea of which language is fit to be used where and the level of difficulty.
Easy High-Level Languages
HTML:
- Technically, a markup language
- Invaluable for web design
- An easy entry into coding
Python:
- One of the easiest languages to learn
- A text-based programming language with a very simple syntax
- A general-purpose language with applications in web and mobile application development, operating systems, AI, Machine Learning, video games, etc.
JavaScript:
- One of the oldest and easiest text-based programming languages
- Has a gradual learning curve
- Can be used to introduce interactive elements within web pages
- Has applications in web and mobile app development, web server and server application development, game development, etc.
PHP:
- A widely-used general-purpose scripting language
- Used to create websites and maintain scripts
- Performs server-side scripting and command-line scripting, desktop operation development, graphics and template creation, etc.
- Easy to grasp
- Used in many complicated processes
- Robust enough to function even with code errors
Java:
- Easy to start, learn, and use
- An object-oriented programming language
- Supports write once, run anywhere (WORA), i.e., the code can run on any Java-supported platform
- Widely used in mobile application development, desktop application, software development, etc.
Difficult Coding Languages
These programming languages are difficult in the sense that they are tough for beginners to read, understand, debug, or service.
Assembly:
- A very old low-level language with symbolic codes converted by an assembler
- Every assembler has its own assembly language specifically designed for a single computer architecture
- Difficult-to-remember syntax
- Used for access to specialized processor instructions, direct hardware manipulation, or addressing critical issues in performance
- Has applications in real-time systems, device drivers, and low-level embedded systems, etc.
C:
- Considered a low-level language but at a higher level than Assembly
- Sometimes, used as an intermediate language by implementing other languages
- Popular applications in embedded systems and operating systems
- Has a steep learning curve
C++:
- An extension of C
- Has a steep learning curve
- Used in software such as Adobe Illustrator and the Google Chrome web browser
- Applications in the gaming industry
C#:
- A multi-paradigm general-purpose programming language
- Usually, put into use in conjunction with the .NET framework
- Has a steep learning curve
- Can be used in control systems for factor robotics
- Applied in a web app, game, and software development and Windows Web Services
Objective-C:
- An object-oriented programming language
- A mainstream use in iOS app development
- Has a steep learning curve
Just because some are incredibly difficult and complex languages to learn, it doesn’t make them less useful. In fact, all the above-listed languages are valuable. Eventually, you will have to get into those. But for now, try not to bite off more than you can chew. Pick up a language, like Python, HTML, or JavaScript, etc., that is popular, and this is a great way to learn coding for beginners. C# also has wide applications and offers career flexibility. In addition to these languages, you can familiarize yourself with IDEs (integrated development environments), and Git as these are essential tools that are indispensable for any programmer. You can also make use of Stack Overflow.
Pick Your Coding Project
I know you want to learn how to code and dive right into developing something cool but remember to take it easy and not to be too hard on yourself. Even the simplest projects can be interesting to code. Let’s say you are interested in building your own website. You can start by creating a very basic one inspired by your hobbies or other websites that you like. You can play around with layouts, colors, typography, pictures, etc. You can learn to code online and pick up the basics of HTML and CSS. You don’t have to do too much all at once. Once you have the basic design, you can start adding more complexities bit by bit.
The above is just an example. You can eventually jump into more complex projects once you are confident. For your convenience, here is a quick guide to specific domains you can base your projects on, along with the languages you will need to learn to work in the respective project domains.
Choose Your Learning Path
If you are thinking about how to learn to code easily, don’t worry! You don’t have to enroll in a class right away. Besides, learning online can be so comprehensive that even if you are facing issues, you can get on Google, explore the vastness of the learning resources available online, and have your time learning all the tips and tricks of how to code in the programming language of your choice. You can learn coding online for free and at your own pace through various tutorials and blogs as well.
It is understandable that not all can self-study or learn how to code on their own without guidance. So, for those individuals, it is advisable to turn to instructors with experience and a good command over programming languages. Online learning portals are the best platforms to learn coding. These online courses come with certifications, which means that if you have never pursued computer science or any other relevant degree, the certification courses can help you build your programming skills and validate your expertise when you apply for jobs in the IT industry.
Learning how to code is not a distant dream. You can start at any age and quickly get into it if you pick the right direction and have motivation. Once you have picked your domain of study and decided on the languages and tools you are going to start with, you can cover the basics. Starting from scratch may seem daunting at first, but the moment you pick it up, you will be surprised how quickly you get the hang of the basics. You can give yourself a month to learn the fundamentals, and from there, you can start expanding your skills and branch out to more in-depth learning.
Career Opportunities in Coding
Learning how to code is a gateway to a world in itself. You cannot imagine the applications and domains that can be explored through coding. From the basics when you are branching out to something more complex, that will become your specialization. For instance, if you are looking forward to a career in Data Science, you will need to be excellent in Python, or you can pick up R programming. Likewise, every domain will have its own prerequisites or specializations. All in all, there is no lack of opportunities for programmers out there who are ready to learn and grow.
You don’t have to worry about the compensation you will receive as programmers of all levels earn a good average annual income. PayScale has some interesting facts for you here:
- An entry-level programmer with less than a year of experience earns an average of ₹495,178 per year.
- A programmer who has acquired 1–4 years of experience can earn as much as ₹396,679 a year on average.
- Prior experience of 5–9 years can help a programmer earn an average of ₹524,142 annually.
- A seasoned expert with 10–19 years of experience earns an average compensation of ₹982,635 per annum.
As you can see, programmers are well-compensated, and if you are interested in a particular field or domain, go right ahead without worrying about whether it is worthwhile: Because it is!
Conclusion
This conclusion is only the beginning for you. By learning how to code, you will learn how to problem-solve with a set of specific tools. Everything you need to know about these tools is on the Internet. Now, all you need is a computer and an intent to learn to code. If learning how to code on your own seems intimidating, you can easily register for online classes with excellent instructors to guide you at every step of the way. So, sit down with your computer, pick an easy project, and start coding.