How To Learn Coding
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The standard advice for anyone considering a career shift is to "learn to code," and there's a good reason for that. Your talents are more important than your résumé, especially when applying for a position as a software engineer.
Even better, you don't need to invest a lot of money to get started in this lucrative market because there are so many free tools out there. We've put up a list of the top resources if you're interested in learning to code.
What Is Coding?
How you instruct a computer is by coding, often known as computer programming. When you write code, you're giving the computer a specific set of instructions to follow in order to carry out a task. Siri may try to tell you otherwise, but machines cannot comprehend human language. Just "on" and "off" are understood by computers. Even though it sounds easy, giving your machine instructions in this simple binary language would take a lot of time.
This procedure is made easier by computer languages, which enable programmers to convert commands into binary code. Every computer program, from the simplest operating system to the most complex, depends on the software that has been created.
Is Learning To Code Hard?
The omnipresence of the “Learn to Code” mantra has done much to make coding more accessible, but learning to code is not as simple as it may seem. The initial learning phase often consists of simple, scripted exercises that can give you unrealistic expectations. Understanding the basics of coding and learning some fun tricks is fairly effortless, but becoming “job-ready” as a developer is more difficult.
Many beginning coders find that, once they finish basic tutorials and begin to deal with more complex challenges, they hit a wall. This is the point where many realize that learning to code isn’t as easy as it sounds, and if you reach this place, you may be tempted to give up. And if you stick with coding past this phase, it will only keep getting harder, for a while at least.
But if you push through that intermediate stage, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to tackle more challenging problems. At its core, coding is a process of problem-solving. It’s never going to be easy, but you’ll be good enough to do the hard work involved. So while coding is hard to learn, some paths make learning easier than others.
How Long Does It Take To Learn To Code?
The majority of seasoned programmers concur that learning to code is a lifelong effort. After all, as the tech sector is constantly at the forefront of innovation, programming languages experience ups and downs in popularity. What you put into coding is what you get out of it. You'll learn to code more quickly the more time you invest in it.
If you put in roughly 10 hours a week of study time, you should be able to learn the fundamentals of coding in three to six months. Expect it to take the entire six months or possibly longer if you have no prior expertise with coding. You'll probably pick it up in three months or less if you've dabbled with programming before. This will advance you to the junior developer stage, but it will take much longer to become an expert.
How To Start Learning To Code
Take a Free Course
Utilize Free Resources
Do an Internship
Get To Know Your Own Computer Terminal
Participate in a Related Project That Involves Coding
Try an Interactive Coding Game
Learn on the Job
Complete a Bootcamp
Get a Certification
When it comes to learning to code, one of the issues is the seemingly endless amount of applications that make the best claims. Indeed, when you search "learn to code," Google returns approximately five billion results. The optimal course of action for you will depend on a number of variables. How to begin learning to code is as follows:
Get To Know Other Software Engineering Students
Take a Free Course
There are lots of classes that cover the fundamentals of programming if you're willing to pay. A full-stack web developer can learn everything they need to know in one course, according to Udemy's comprehensive web developer course. It is instructed by the chief trainer of App Brewery, one of London's most well-liked on-site boot camps.
With App Brewery, you can learn the same things and get the same materials covered for around $12,000 less. It's worth waiting a few days for the sale price because the Udemy course regularly goes on sale for $20.99 instead of the quoted price of $119.99. If you want a strong foundation that will enable you to apply for junior developer employment once you graduate, this choice is fantastic. It's also a smart decision if you'd prefer to invest a little money on a carefully planned curriculum than scrambling to put together resources on your own.
Utilize Free Resources
There are many free options available if you're looking for the least expensive way to study or if you want to try something out before making a commitment. Courses at Codecademy are available in practically all languages and skill levels. One of the biggest online coding schools is this one. Although they have paid pro plans available, the majority of their content is free.
FreeCodeCamp is another well-known cost-free alternative. From machine learning to responsive web design, you can become certified for nothing at all. Local study groups are one of freeCodeCamp's distinctive features. If you want a free resource and want the accountability and companionship of a study group, this is a good option.
But don't stop at free resources. There are several YouTube channels that can teach you how to code. With 2.9 million viewers, the YouTube channel Programming with Mosh features a variety of languages and business applications.
Do an Internship
Doing a paid internship with a tech talent development company can be an excellent way to learn to code if you have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated discipline. Some of the largest businesses in the world hire tech talent from organizations like Revature. They recruit college grads and pay them to enroll in one of their 10- to 14-week in-person programs where they will study some of the most in-demand talents. They will place you with a business that requires your newly acquired talents once you are prepared for employment.
Get To Know Your Own Computer Terminal
A text-based user interface is offered by all operating systems, allowing you to enter commands for rapid execution. You carry out a command by pressing enter after you type it. The command line is what hackers use when you see them in movies typing commands into that tiny black box with a blinking cursor. A command line is a powerful tool that can teach you a lot about programming and how your computer functions, even though you probably won't get a job based only on it.
You may get started using the command line by following the short tutorial provided by Django Girls. The Command Line Power User's video courses can teach you command-line abilities that many seasoned developers don't even know about once you've mastered the fundamentals and want to go deeper.
Participate in a Related Project That Involves Coding
It can seem monotonous and unnecessary to complete lessons solely for the purpose of finishing them. Nonetheless, it is incredibly motivating to study programming in order to address a real-world issue. You can learn a lot in a real-world setting and contribute to the creation of something worthwhile without the restrictions of a planned online course.
Consider your daily activities and what would make them simpler for you to start. You might wish to be notified via SMS when tickets for your favorite band's show go on sale. Even if there may already be an app for that, creating your own can help you learn and produce something you can be proud of. To help you get started, below is a selection of samples.
Try an Interactive Coding Game
That programmers have produced an incredible game alternative for learning to code shouldn't come as a surprise. In addition to improving your coding abilities and having fun, CodinGame is a fantastic location to stand out and find employment. This platform enables you to play with friends, compete in challenges, interact with the community, and receive feedback on your development. If you want to learn to code but don't want a more structured curriculum, CodinGame is a great choice. Playing a game can be far more enjoyable at the end of a long day than completing an assignment.
Learn on the Job
Employers are increasingly using websites like freeCodeCamp to train their staff. You can take some information to your HR department to see if they're interested if your company doesn't currently provide this option but you believe it might be advantageous. With your present credentials, you could even be able to find employment where you could learn to code.
Complete a Bootcamp
Bootcamps provide an intensive program that typically necessitates both a full-time commitment and a large upfront cost. But, they can be an excellent path if you need a more structured option or assistance finding your first job. But, it pays to do your homework before selecting a bootcamp. There is a big range in program quality, so look for one with a solid track record of employment following boot camp.
One of the few bootcamps, Springboard, guarantees a job with some of its courses. They provide courses in statistics, design, and cybersecurity in addition to coding. Learning to code is risk-free thanks to their employment and tuition guarantee. Also, a mentor will be assigned to you; in weekly one-on-one meetings, your mentor will provide feedback and guidance. Springboard offers several tuition payment choices, such as deferred tuition, and a cost-effective route to a rewarding profession.
In terms of producing mid-level and senior-level software engineers, Codesmith has a stellar track record. Although the on-campus immersive software engineering program costs $19,950 in tuition, there are several different ways to pay for it, including scholarships. They also provide other, less priced, less comprehensive services. Its outcomes are outstanding, with 92% of graduates getting jobs in their field and a median salary of more than $115,000.
Another Bootcamp with a solid track record for assisting alumni in finding employment in their profession is DevMountain. They provide classes on a variety of IT subjects. For example, their $49 introductory coding course is a wonderful choice if you want to check out coding before spending a lot of money. They typically provide free lodging to their full-time, in-person students at their Texas and Utah campuses, but it is not now available due to COVID. A remarkable 87% of their graduates are working in the industry where they studied.
90% of its clients find jobs, according to Tech Elevator. They provide live online and in-person classes in numerous cities. Java,.NET, HTML, CSS, SQL, API, and JavaScript are among the course selections. In addition to the required coursework, Tech Elevator offers individualized coaching sessions, mock interviews, and placement assistance for six months following graduation.
Get a Certification
You can complete a certificate program on your own if you're motivated. Although you are unlikely to have the connections or career placement assistance that a bootcamp offers, you will have a credential that you may highlight on your CV. Google offers a number of tech certifications, but the Associate Android Developer Certification is currently the only choice for developers.
Nearly every coding language and technological expertise are available as a credential through Coursera. Also, they collaborate with renowned colleges to provide more specialized credentials. The courses that make up each credential are numerous. You receive a certificate for finishing all of the courses, which you may use to demonstrate your new abilities and find employment.
Examples To Follow When It Comes to Learning To Code
There are countless methods for learning how to code. You can find inspiration from those who have already learned how to code, even if your experience will be unique. You can identify helpful shortcuts and steer clear of frequent hazards by listening to other people's experiences. Searching through YouTube videos, blogs, and forums might help you discover the routes that other people have traveled.
From Zero Experience to Software Engineer at Google in Six Months
Six months before he landed his job as a software engineer at Google, Clément Mihailescu had never written a line of code. He graduated from college with a degree in math but found it hard to find a job without coding experience. So he applied to four coding bootcamps and did the preparatory work to learn the basics before starting the Full Stack Academy in-person bootcamp in NYC.
The bootcamp was an immersive three-month experience. During the bootcamp, he spent 14 hours a day coding, going beyond the curriculum’s eight-hour-a-day workload. Clement’s experience is a great example of what’s possible when you devote yourself to learning to code. He threw himself into the experience wholeheartedly. His story proves that you get out of your programing journey what you put into it.
From Bootcamp Dropout to a Lead Engineer at Udacity
Brad Crispin’s coding journey wasn’t an immediate success. After experiencing burnout in his previous career, he decided to learn to program. He drained his savings to pay $10,000 for a General Assembly bootcamp but dropped out after the first semester. While he learned a little and afterward managed to find sporadic work as a freelance Javascript contractor, he put his coding dreams on pause and went back to a career in his former field.
However, after a year at his new job, he still couldn’t let go of his desire to become a programmer. Brad was over 30 by this point and worried he might be too
He made the decision to persevere in the face of obstacles, seek a mentor, and labor for free if the experience was worthwhile. He got in touch with an old acquaintance and was given a job as an intern for a pittance.
Brad thought the secret to his success was immersion. He devoted himself entirely to coding. He gave up socializing and other activities that distracted him from his objective. He took Udacity courses in addition to his internship. When he was prepared to apply for full-time jobs, he possessed the qualifications to get a job at Udacity.
The lesson from Brad's tale is that you should not let one setback define you. Failure can be a tremendous springboard for success in the future. Brad demonstrates why it's never too late to start learning how to code because it's a difficult talent that takes time to master. It's simple to fall into the myth that if you don't get started right away, you'll miss out, but this is rarely the case.
From Psych Grad to Developer
Cindy Lin describes how, after earning a degree in liberal arts, she discovered a job in computer coding. She first completed a comprehensive web development course, but she wasn't yet ready to look for a job. Instead, she decided to work as a volunteer to gain some practical experience. She accepted a position as a campus coordinator at a digital training boot camp in the interim. She eventually resigned from her position because it wasn't technical and went to Taiwan for what she thought would be a brief vacation.
She was stranded in Taiwan at the start of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. She made the most of her time in Taiwan by enrolling in some Python classes. She experimented with various fields after getting back home, such as machine learning, but soon realized that her true passion was web development.
Cindy Lin describes how, after earning a degree in liberal arts, she discovered a job in computer coding. She first completed a comprehensive web development course, but she wasn't yet ready to look for a job. Instead, she decided to work as a volunteer to gain some practical experience. She accepted a position as a campus coordinator at a digital training bootcamp in the interim. She eventually resigned from her position because it wasn't technical and went to Taiwan for what she thought would be a brief vacation.
Cindy was motivated by her renewed devotion and concentrated on mastering the abilities that would enable her to accomplish her goal. She began each day with a coding assignment and used a spreadsheet to measure her academic development. She contributed helpful articles on LinkedIn to raise her profile. While still hunting for a job, she also participated in another volunteer opportunity. She was too anxious to even attempt the coding difficulties after sending out more than 50 résumé and receiving only two interviews. Ultimately, Cindy received a full-time job offer from the organization where she had volunteered.
Cindy's experience demonstrates the value of perseverance. It also shows that learning to code is not always an easy process. When you first think about where you want to go, you might think one thing, but as you study more and have more practical experience, you might find you want to go in an entirely different way. In the process, there will be growth.
Self-Taught Coders Who Landed a Good Job
There are a lot of programmers in this Reddit post who learned how to code on their own and went on to land decent jobs. These comments, which range from those with advanced degrees in other professions to high school dropouts, demonstrate that there isn't just one way to become a programmer. Some of the respondents switched to a developer position inside the organization they were working for, but many did so as soon as they could demonstrate their qualifications.
Being tenacious in the face of rejection, refining your skills in response to feedback, and customizing your application to the position you're applying for made up the majority of the advice. Some people advise submitting an application for a job whether or not you meet the qualifications. Many respondents suggested working on personal projects to demonstrate their abilities. Another frequently mentioned option was to obtain experience by performing entry-level work on a freelance marketplace like Upwork.
The most crucial aspect of learning to code isn't how you do it, but rather choosing a method, following it through to completion, and using what you've learned to show off your abilities.
The Benefits of Learning To Code
“Everyone in this country should learn how to program because it teaches you how to think.”
– Steve Jobs.
Despite Steve Jobs’ famous quote, it’s doubtful that everyone will learn to code. However, learning to program has broad benefits that go far beyond having a marketable skill, although that’s certainly one of the major perks.
In-Demand Skills
Employers and schools are going remote as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The convenience of working, learning, and purchasing online wasn't one of the many terrible elements of COVID and the lockdown, though. There will always be options for grocery delivery, remote work, and telehealth visits.
These comforts are made possible by the Internet of Things (IoT) and a fast-expanding range of sophisticated computing talents. The tech skills gap, which has been there for more than ten years, has widened as a result of this rapid innovation. The demand for programmers has not decreased in our data-driven, digital age. All industries still need programmers. So, in this economy, tech-skilled individuals can be selective about the occupations they pursue.
Applicable to Any Industry
Every industry is now a tech industry as a result of the emergence of big data and the desire to offer every conceivable service online. Even historically low-tech businesses now rely on advancements in robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The expectation that computer programming will be a part of many diverse employment roles is increasing.
You can be sure that they need programmers whether you're interested in business, the arts, environmental science, or any other seemingly unrelated profession. When applying for nearly any job, learning to code is a great way to put yourself ahead of the pack.
Build Your Own Applications, Programs, and Web Pages
There will always be occasions where "an app for that," at least not yet, does not exist. You can create your own apps if you know how to code. You are not at the mercy of the abilities and intentions of others. You can put your knowledge to use by resolving issues for yourself or others.
If your experience in coding doesn't lead to a high-paying position, you can always strike out on your own. When you have the capacity to make your own apps, programs, and websites, you may develop your own solutions and, if you so desire, sell them on the open market. If starting your own business isn't your thing, you can also work as a freelancer offering these services to other businesses.
High-Paying Jobs
- Of course, learning to code is often done in order to increase one's chances of landing a well-paying job. It's a valid hope, in fact. The sector of information technology and computers has some of the highest-paying employment. The average pay for some of the most typical coding-related positions is as follows, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Software developers: $107,510
- Web developers: $73,760
- Computer programmers: $86,550
- Database administrators: $93,750
An Ever-Changing Industry That Rewards Curiosity and Creativity
Although most people believe that creativity is the antithesis of technical skills, creativity is a crucial component of coding. Coding does teach you how to think, as Steve Jobs said. Problem-solving creativity is at the heart of programming. Coders are continually challenged to come up with novel approaches to even the most commonplace tasks, making it far from the boring, repetitive work that many people assume it to be. Programming is an excellent career choice if you want a position where you can utilize all of your skills and talents and keep developing new ones.
