A Step-by-Step Guide to Coding

Despite the fact that coding is relatively simple to learn compared to many other technological skills, it remains a source of fear for many people.It can seem complex, confusing, and extremely difficult to master at first glance. What I mean is, how d…


This content originally appeared on Level Up Coding - Medium and was authored by Cox Mutungi Musyoki

Despite the fact that coding is relatively simple to learn compared to many other technological skills, it remains a source of fear for many people.

It can seem complex, confusing, and extremely difficult to master at first glance. What I mean is, how do you learn how to code a website if you have no prior programming experience?

The response is simple: you follow our beginner’s step-by-step guide to learning how to code! By the end of this guide, you should have a strong understanding of the steps you’ll need to take to become a programmer, as well as what you can do to expedite your development.

Step 1: Figure Out Why You Want To Learn How To Code

Now, before you even consider enrolling in courses or beginning to watch YouTube videos about coding, you should ask yourself why you want to learn to code in the first place.

Look down and consider what you want to achieve from it, why coding is a skill you want to master, and how much time and money you can devote to it.

Find the following:

What kind of skills do you want to have in the end? Do you​ plan to work as a web developer? Maybe you’d rather be able to create mobile apps or work in software engineering. You’ll want to think about this carefully because it will have a big impact on the languages you study.

What motivates you to learn to code? Is learning to code​ actually something you want to do in your spare time because it concerns you? Is programming something you’d like to try as a career in the future?

How much time and money would you devote? There’s​

obviously no point in enrolling in an intense course if you only have a couple of hours per week to dedicate to learning how to code. Similarly, if you want to enroll in an intense course with sponsorship, you must be willing to pay for it.

Identify and write down the coding priorities, and keep them in a safe spot. These will serve as the base for your​ development from beginner to master coder.

Step 2: Choose the Correct Languages

Different forms of programming necessitate varying abilities. If you want to learn how to code a website, for example, you can learn ​HTML, CSS, Java,​ and JavaScript.

Similarly, mobile app development necessitates the use of Java (for Android) or Swift (for iOS) (for iOS). It’s crucial to pick the right language, which is why we’ve listed some of the most common among beginners below:

Java

In the modern world, ​Java is undoubtedly the king of programming languages.​ It is widely used, ​modular,​ and can be used to​ create Android apps​ and ​back-end web development.

For beginners learning to code, Java is a really ​functional language. It’s ​easy to understand, reads like English,​ and there’s plenty of work for entry-level Java programmers out there.

I recommend ​Udacity’s Java Nanodegree course​ if you want to study Java as one of your first programming languages.

You can also go for ​BitDegree’s immersive Java tutorial​. This course will teach you the language’s basic syntax and features. It will demonstrate the power of Java and look into the creation of back-end web apps.

Python

Python is the ​queen of programming languages​, if Java is the king. It’s also​ incredibly flexible, with various implementations​. Python is used by many academics and researchers to develop data analysis systems that aid their study.

It is also responsible for the development of emerging technologies such as ​artificial intelligence and machine learning​. It is simple to learn and is the most commonly taught language in schools. As a result, it’s ideal for those who want to learn how to code from scratch.

If you put your mind to it, learning Python can be easy. Start with a course like the ​Interactive Python tutorial ​or the Introduction to Python course​. Both of these courses will provide you with a solid foundation in the language.

Ruby

Ruby is a full-stack web development language​ that is​ growing in popularity. The Ruby on Rails architecture facilitates the seamless integration of both front-end andback-end elements of a new website.​

If you want to work as a web developer, you should learn at least the fundamentals of Ruby. This way, even if you don’t have to deal with the language explicitly, you’ll be comfortable with it. Begin by taking the Learn Ruby on Rails course, which explains what Ruby on Rails is and how it’s used in web development.

HTML

You must learn HTML if you want to function in front-end webcreation. HTML (or Hypertext Markup Language) is a​ simplelanguage for marking up text so that computers can​ understand it. It’s where a lot of people start when learning how to code for beginners.

HTML is a very basic language,​ and the best way to learn it​ is to first become familiar with the language’s key components by taking a course like the Introduction to HTML, and then to get out there and practice​ writing code for beginners.​

CSS

To style and format material on web pages, CSS is almost exclusively used in conjunction with HTML. It allows you to adjust the color and size of elements, as well as the location of elements on a webpage and the overall layout of the website.

CSS, like HTML, is needed if you want to work as a front-end web developer. In my view, learning HTML and CSS at thesame time through a course like the ​ HTML and CSS course​ is a good idea. This course will cover the fundamentals of CSS, HTML, and web creation, as well as how they all work together.

JavaScript

JavaScript, like Java and Python, is a highly versatile​ and​ widely used programming language.

While JavaScript was originally developed as a front-end webdevelopment language for creating interactive elements, it is​ now being used for a number of other purposes, including back-end web development.

Step 3: Pick the Necessary Learning Materials

It’s time to look at the best ways to learn some of the most common languages now that we’ve looked at some of the most popular languages to help you learn how to code for beginners.

Here are a few examples:

Online coding courses: One of the easiest ways to get a​ feel for a new programming language is to take an online coding course.

When done correctly, they will show you some of a language’s basic syntax and how to use it. They’re typically taught in a fun, engaging way, and many of them let you learn by writing code directly in your browser.

YouTube videos: Online videos and video guides are​ excellent tools for learning challenging concepts. They​ can be used in combination with an online course or another means of teaching beginners how to code.

Step 4: Get a Code Editor

While many online courses allow you to write code in a code editor directly in your browser, you must understand that this is not how the real world operates. You’ll need to start writingyour code directly into a code editor once you complete​ your online course, so it’s a good idea to start practicing now.

The code editors for most programming languages are available for free. They usually provide interactive development environments (IDEs) that assist you in writingclean, error-free code. If you prefer, simple languages like​ HTML and CSS can be written directly into a text document.

Step 5: Exercising Your Programming Skills

You’ll need to start developing your programs and projects​ once you have a basic working knowledge of your chosen language. While it will seem that this is a long way off now, you will be shocked at how easily you advance once you begin to learn.

The language you learn will determine the type of programor project you begin. For example, if you’re learning how to​ code a website using HTML/CSS, you may decide to get started building your website right away.

Step 6: Become a part of an online community

It can be incredibly challenging for beginners ​ to navigate​ the nuances of learning how to code on their own. There will be occasions when you need assistance.

Let’s say you’re studying a language and you’ve come across a piece of syntax that you’re having trouble understanding. Joining an online discussion board or coding platform will provide you with access to people who can answer your questions and assist you in overcoming any obstacles.​

Step 7: Keep Learning

Programming languages are similar to other languages in several respects. If you want to become fluent in them, you’ll need to practice regularly,​ because if you don’t, you’ll forget​ things. As a result, it is critical that you continue to learn new things every day.

Don’t fall into the trap of using the same coding patterns and syntax across all of your projects. Instead, keep striving tolearn new techniques and refine your process.

I make it a point to learn something new every single day.​ This could be a new syntax, a new way to write a line of code, or simply a more efficient way to debug a program.

So there you have it: a simple seven-step guide to learning to code for beginners. You can no longer make excuses. Stop procrastinating and putting it off, and get started learning tocode today!


A Step-by-Step Guide to Coding was originally published in Level Up Coding on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.


This content originally appeared on Level Up Coding - Medium and was authored by Cox Mutungi Musyoki


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