You need a foundational knowledge of programming - what it is, how it works, and why it does certain things before you can understand coding.
It seems ironic that when lots of jobs are taken away from actual human workers by technology and automation, the one skill set that remains in high demand is coding.
Many organisations and businesses are still looking for website and software developers as well as computer programmers. That means if you know how to code, you wouldn’t have much trouble looking for high-paying jobs and even start a stable and long-lasting career.
The problem, however, is that coding is not that easy. It’s really like learning a new language. Of course, you need to start by taking some coding courses. But where do you go from there?
To help you out, here are some tips on how you can learn coding without prior experience:
Learn the Five Basic Concepts
If you know the five concepts, you will have already covered a lot of ground and won’t have problems understanding other coding concepts.
Variables: A variable is a placeholder for a value, which will be replaced later with a specific value. A variable can be declared in a program, but you need something to call it. So using a variable named “num” will be “num = 5”.
Compound Data: Compound data is used to store lists of values or single values into one. In the example below, you can see that it is easier to keep multiple values in a single statement than numerous statements.
Loops: Loops are used to repeatedly perform a task or list of things until the condition specified is met. The syntax for a “for loop” is:
for (variable1; variable2; variable3) { // Statements }
Functions: A function is a subprogram within a larger program. It is used when you have repetitive tasks or need to use the same function for different applications. You can use them to modularize your codes and make them less complicated.
Objects: Objects are the last concept, which is the most complex and require the most effort to understand and learn. They involve specific syntax and rules that can be challenging to understand.
Choose the Right Coding Language to Study
Two main coding languages are most popular among coders today: Python and Java.
Python is a simple, beautiful, and easy-to-learn language used for both simple and large projects. If you want to master Python, you will have no problem because it is one of the most popular and most used languages in the coding business today. Learning Python will be a great asset to your coding career.
Java is used by most programmers and businesses in the world. It tends to be more complicated and requires more time and effort to learn, but it is also one of the most useful and flexible languages that help build large, robust, and useful applications.
Master the Fundamentals First
After choosing one of these languages, you will first need to master the basics. This means that you have to learn the syntax, statement structure, and other codes used in the language.
Start by getting familiar with the keywords and the codes used in each language. If you don’t know what a keyword is, it is a basic word or phrase coded to perform specific actions. For example, in the Python language, the keyword is “def.” In Java, it is “public static void.”
Continuously Try to Code By Hand
Once you understand the basic syntax, you can start coding by hand. This is crucial because you can’t get too comfortable with just studying the syntax and rules. You are a coder and should understand how to code and how the language works.
The only way to do this is by coding by hand. Start by writing codes, testing them, and making them work. You can do this by hand and then try it online.
Conclusion
Learning to code is not that easy, but it is not impossible either. If you are determined to understand it, you will be able to do it - it just requires more time and effort. You should also find some excellent coding courses that can teach you the fundamentals of coding as well as some advanced classes when you’re ready for them.
Code Success offers affordable basic and advanced coding courses in the U.K. Our seasoned web and software developers are here to help you not only to learn to code but to make a stable career out of it. Find out more about our courses today!