Don’t Limit Yourself: 8 Great Ways to Teach Yourself to Code
If you want to be successful in your career, it’s increasingly important to know how to code and program websites, apps, and other digital products. With the help of these resources, you can teach yourself to code, whether it’s full-time or just in your spare time – even if you have no experience with computers or programming! Here are some of the best ways to do this.
Pick up an Intro Book
If you’re new to coding, don’t start by diving into a head-first tutorials. Instead, pick up an intro book that teaches basic fundamentals to ensure you have a strong foundation before moving on to more complex lessons.
Take Coding Courses Online
If you’re looking to learn to code without the barriers of limited time and location, take advantage of some of these great online coding courses. Online tutorials are quick, comprehensive, and accessible. And they’ll even teach you how to make a game!
Create a Project from Scratch
Many people think that in order to teach yourself to code, you have to be completely self-taught. However, this isn’t the case! The benefits of learning how to code aren’t solely reserved for those who learn on their own time. Here are a few more options you might not have considered.
1) Code Clubs – Code clubs offer classes in computer science and coding geared towards kids around the ages of 10-14 years old.
Apprenticeships – Getting an apprenticeship is a great way to make contacts in the tech industry as well as hone your skills with software engineering and programming languages.
Put What You Learn Into Practice
There are a ton of great resources out there to teach yourself to code. Just like any learning, repetition and practice is key. Here are some other tips for teaching yourself coding in just 10 minutes a day
Think Inside the Box
While there are many options for learning to code, the most fundamental coding languages are those that let you create webpages and apps. Start by creating your own webpage with HTML5 and CSS3. This will teach you the basics of what webpages look like, as well as give you an understanding of how they function behind the scenes. Be sure to install a text editor on your computer to edit your code along the way so that you’re always able to save progress easily. To make it even easier, create two starter templates with each basic set of tags so that you’ll be ready for anything without needing to memorize any more than one set at a time.
Use Existing Platforms for Learning Resources
Some people are lucky enough to have family members who can teach them how to code. Others are set up with classes in school. However, many people don’t have these options and they want to teach themselves how to code. If this is the case for you, there are plenty of great options out there. One such option is Code Academy which offers an interactive and engaging way to learn the basics of programming. Code Academy will even keep track of your progress and your performance and it’s completely free!
## Other Options for Learning How to Code
Watch YouTube Videos
Find or create YouTube videos about programming. Follow along and see if you can replicate the coding shown in the video. Experiment with creating a website from scratch using this beginner tutorial to learn basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build websites from scratch. The code section of Reddit is a great resource for more information and advice on code learning tips. The subreddits dedicated to learning all cover a range of languages such as Java, Javascript, PHP, Python, C++ and Ruby on Rails to name just a few!
Attending Meetups
Meetups are a great way to learn coding with like-minded people who are at different stages of their coding journey. You can also build up your social circle while meeting potential collaborators or learning new skills. Participating in online groups : Online groups like Facebook groups and Stack Overflow can be great for asking questions and getting help on problems that you face while working on projects, but beware, these communities may require more self-motivation than a classroom setting. If you join a community, make sure it’s one where people will actually answer your questions! In-person classes : There are many in-person courses that can teach you how to code and help you build up a portfolio as well as giving you an idea of whether or not programming is for you.
Volunteer for Programmer Groups
Learn Through Failure. As with any pursuit, there is no perfect way to learn how to code. You will make mistakes and you will inevitably mess up. The best way to get better at coding is to experiment, which often means trying out something new and possibly failing miserably. By recognizing when failure occurs and learning from your mistakes, you’re in a great position for figuring out what doesn’t work for you as a coder and developing the right coding strategies that do work for you over time. Learn Through Failure
As they say, you can only learn through trial and error. You’ll have some coding errors at first, but in time you’ll learn the difference between syntax and semantics. Learning code is not just about following the rules – there’s a bit of creativity involved too! Learn To Code with Books
One way to learn is by reading programming books on your own or with a tutor. There are many online tutorials that also teach coding without requiring any computer time. Reading books will give you an idea of how professionals in the field write their programs, so it can be very helpful for teaching yourself how to code. A great resource for beginners is Practical Programming from The MIT Press by Dr.
