This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Jayesh Jain
Assuming you want to learn programming from scratch, here are 10 important steps you need to follow:
- Choose the Right Language
- Find Good Resources
- Start Small and Build Upon What You Learn
- Practice, Practice, Practice
- Seek Help When You Need It
- Persevere When You Feel Stuck
- Stay motivated by Setting Goals
- Take Breaks and Celebrate Your Progress
- Join or Follow a Community
- Never Stop Learning
1. Choose the Right Language
The first step to learning programming is choosing the right language. There are dozens of programming languages out there, each with their own unique syntax and semantics. For a beginner, it can be tough to decide which language to learn first. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow. If you want to build websites, learn HTML and CSS. If you want to develop apps for iOS or Android, learn Swift or Java. If you want to create video games, learn C++. And if you want to do scientific or mathematical computing, learn Python or R. Once you've selected a language, it's time to find some resources.
2. Find Good Resources
Finding good resources is essential for learning how to program effectively. A great resource will provide clear and concise explanations of concepts, interactive exercises to practice what you're learning, and challenge problems to push your understanding further. It's also important that the resource is up-to-date with the latest version of the language you're learning so that you're not using outdated syntax or deprecated features. Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality resources available online for free; all you need is a little bit of searching (hint: start with Google).
3. Start Small and Build Upon What You Learn
One of the best pieces of advice for learning programming is to start small and build upon what you learn. Rather than trying to tackle a huge project all at once, it's better to start with something simpler and gradually add more features as you become more comfortable with the basics. For example, if you're interested in building websites, start by coding a simple HTML file that includes your name, a few paragraphs of text, and some basic formatting. Once you have the hang of things, you can move on to adding CSS stylesheets and JavaScript scripts. By starting small and gradually adding complexity, you'll avoid getting overwhelmed and will be able to build up a strong foundation of programming knowledge.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
In addition to starting small, another important piece of advice for learning programming is to practice, practice, practice. A big part of becoming proficient in any skill is simply putting in the hours; the same is true for programming. The best way to get better at coding is to write code frequently; the more experience you have writing code, the easier it will become. One great way to practice coding is by working on projects with other people; not only will this force you to write code more often but it will also allow you to learn from others who are further along in their journey than you are.
5. Seek Help When You Need
It Despite what some people may think, seeking help when learning how to program is not a sign of weakness; in fact, it's quite the opposite! Asking for help shows that you're willing to put in the effort required to learn how to code properly; something that will be sure impress potential employers or clients down the line. Furthermore, there are plenty of resources available that can provide assistance when needed; whether it's an online forum where people can answer your questions or a tutorial that walks through solving a specific problem step-by-step
6. Persevere When You Feel Stuck
One of the most difficult aspects of learning how to program is feeling like you're stuck and not making any progress. It's important to remember that everyone goes through this at some point; even experienced developers sometimes hit roadblocks when working on new projects. The best way to get past these sticking points is to seek help from others (see tip #5) and to keep practicing regularly (see tip #4). With enough time and effort, you'll eventually find yourself moving forward once again.
7. Stay motivated by Setting Goals
It can be easy to get discouraged when learning how to program; after all, it's a complex skill that requires a lot of time and effort to master. However, one way to stay motivated is by setting goals for yourself; both short-term and long-term goals. Having something to work towards will help you push through the tough times and stay focused on your goal of becoming a programmer. In addition, as you start achieving your goals, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment that will further motivate you to keep going.
8. Take Breaks and Celebrate Your Progress
One of the best pieces of advice for learning programming is to take breaks and celebrate your progress. It can be easy to get discouraged when you feel like you're not making any progress, but it's important to remember that even small accomplishments are worth celebrating. By taking breaks and acknowledging your achievements, you'll stay motivated and will be more likely to stick with it in the long run. In addition, as you start accomplishing more and more, you'll build up a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that will make future learning easier.
9. Join or Follow a Community
Last but not least, one of the best things you can do when learning programming is to join or follow a community. There are many benefits to being involved in a community of fellow programmers; you can learn from others, get answers to your questions, and even find potential collaborators for future projects. Furthermore, simply being around other people who share your interests can be motivating and make the learning process more enjoyable. So if you're feeling stuck or just need some extra support, consider seeking out a community of like-minded individuals.
10. Never Stop Learning
One of the best pieces of advice for learning programming is to never stop learning. Even after you've mastered the basics, there's always more to learn; whether it's new languages, frameworks, or tools. By continuously expanding your skillset, you'll not only stay ahead of the curve, but you'll also be more marketable and in-demand as a programmer. In addition, as technology evolves over time, keeping up-to-date with the latest advancements will ensure that you're never left behind. So even after you've achieved your goals and reached your desired level of expertise, remember to never stop learning; it's what will help you maintain your edge and stay ahead of the competition.
I am Software Tester at Testscenario. We are a software testing company delivering software testing services to our clients across the globe. We help start-ups, SMEs and Enterprises to test their software or APPs.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Jayesh Jain
Jayesh Jain | Sciencx (2022-07-11T06:25:51+00:00) How to Learn Programming in 10 Steps. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2022/07/11/how-to-learn-programming-in-10-steps/
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