Whether you’re in a coding boot camp, pursuing a degree in computer science, or a veteran using the GI Bill to choose your next assignment, learning to program is a never-ending battle. We’ve gathered seven tips from the Coding Dojo pros to help you get started with programming quickly.
To learn something new, you must put your knowledge to use. When learning a new language, it’s important to play around with the code.
The earlier you start playing with the code for a new subject, the more quickly you will pick up the principles involved. It doesn’t matter how quickly you go through a chapter on for loops and how simple it seems — so simple, in fact, that a chimpanzee could do it – when it comes time to actually implement the code, you’ll still find yourself scratching your head. That one line is going to leave you scratching your head. As the old saying goes, “use it or lose it,” and this is especially true while learning to code because technology changes all the time.
Make a project out of the stuff you’re learning. Starting with a personal project is frequently the best option.
Understand the fundamentals for long-term success
Though they may seem straightforward at first, programming fundamentals must always come first. The more you know about them, the easier it is to understand more complex ideas. In our classes, students who rush through the fundamentals of web development, such as back-end programming, are often the ones that run into trouble later on. If you skip the first chapter of an online lesson or the first class in computer science 101, you’re bypassing the most important part of your education.
Make the programme via hand coding
Even though computer monitors, hard drives, and programming languages have all gotten better, learning to program by hand is still one of the best ways to get started with programming. Hand-coding, whether on a whiteboard or in a notepad, necessitates more care, precision, and thought behind each line of code written. Because hand-written code cannot be tested mid-sheet for accuracy like it can with a computer. This constraint will take more time, but it will make you a better developer in the job market and in the classroom. You will be required to code manually for college examinations and technical interviews, which are an important part of the hiring process because it is both useful for learning and widely recognized as the last test of a programmer’s expertise. As a result, get into the habit as soon as possible and stick with it.
Ask for help if you need it
The reality is that mentors and peer criticism help people improve more quickly than becoming the next Steve Jobs on your own. Even if a bug or subject seems insurmountable, new eyes or an alternative perspective of the matter may quickly clear it up. Be tolerant of those who try to bring you down, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Every programmer has been in your position before. As a result, the majority of developers enjoy the process of coding, and one thing enthusiastic people love is to share what they’ve learned.
Give yourself at least 20 minutes to find a solution before calling for help. Even though the answer is right in front of you, struggling will improve your skills as a programmer.
There is a tonne of information available on the Internet
If something in a textbook or a lecture doesn’t make sense, don’t lose hope. Instead, look for other online resources that cover the same information. Even if one source does not make sense to you, it does not mean you are a bad learner. There is a disconnect with the way the information is presented if you’re experiencing this. There are countless resources on the internet for learning computer programming, and there is always a course or blog article that makes everything crystal clear.
Try different things
If you want to finish your project, you shouldn’t rely just on the sample code given. It is impossible to gain a complete understanding of how something works by simply looking at sample code. You must execute and play with the code in order to gain a thorough understanding of how it functions. Although there are comments and instructions provided in the sample code, it is difficult to recreate the code from the ground up. Writing the code yourself, or at the very least running it, might assist you in learning far more quickly than simply reading about it on the internet.
While you’re debugging, take frequent breaks
There’s a risk of becoming lost in a rabbit hole of debugging for hours on end without finding a solution. Take a break from the project for a few hours and come back to it with a new perspective to avoid this. Using this method will not only help you fix the problem, but it will also save you a lot of time and frustration. If help isn’t available, consider taking a break to clear your mind and returning later. This is in line with the prior advice to seek counsel. In the meantime, the bug will continue to exist, and you’ll regain a little of your sanity, which will help you be more productive.
Do Not Panic, and Keep Coding!
When it comes to learning programming quickly, confidence is the most crucial thing to consider regardless of which of these seven tactics you employ. Consequently, you must be prepared to experience setbacks on a frequent basis and have a positive attitude while making progress. Everyone who has come before you has done so because no one is more deserving of becoming a developer than you are.
You should never doubt your capacity to become a developer; everyone who has come before you has done so. Whether you’re in college or a coding boot camp, the only thing standing between you and success is your level of dedication and hard work.
