Buzz
Programming is both fun and highly practical. It allows you to express your creativity and opens up numerous job opportunities. If you want to learn how to program, follow the guide below to understand where to begin and what you need to learn.
Steps
Choose a Language
Select a programming language. At its core, computer programming involves writing a set of instructions for the computer to execute (also known as writing binary code). These instructions can be written in various "languages" – they are simply different ways of organizing commands and character sequences. However, each programming language is typically used to create specific types of software. Therefore, choose a language that aligns with your goals. If you end up selecting a language that doesn’t meet your needs, you can always switch to a new one.
Consider learning C, C++, C#, and related languages. These are primarily used for creating standalone computer applications, such as video games. While challenging, learning C and C++ is not impossible for beginners. They provide deep insights not only into programming (most programming languages inherit aspects from C and C++) but also into how computers operate. These languages are highly popular and widely used. Although similar to Java, C# is becoming increasingly popular.
Think about learning Java or JavaScript. These are excellent choices if you aim to write website plugins (JavaScript) or mobile applications (Java). Currently, the demand for these languages is very high. Therefore, having knowledge of Java or JavaScript can be highly beneficial. Note that despite the similar names, they are entirely different languages.
Try Python. Python is a highly versatile language used across various platforms. Despite its immense influence, Python is beginner-friendly. So, give it a try!
Consider learning PHP. PHP stands for Hypertext Processor. It is a relatively easy-to-learn web programming language due to its popularity and simple command structure (its popularity means there are many helpful resources available). PHP is excellent for server-side programming.
Don’t limit yourself to just these languages! There are countless other programming languages, each with its own unique applications. If you want to become a programmer, you’ll likely need to know more than one language. So, learn as many as you can.
- It’s best to look at job postings for the roles you’re interested in and identify which languages are commonly required for those positions.
Learn a Programming Language
Consider attending a formal school. While most companies prioritize your skills over where you studied or your grades when hiring programmers, having a degree can still be advantageous. Additionally, receiving expert guidance from instructors (and possibly peers) in a school setting can enhance your learning efficiency.
- Scholarships and grants are often available for those pursuing degrees in this field. Don’t let financial concerns hold you back—there are ways to manage the costs!
Explore online university programs. Whether you enroll in paid courses that offer accredited degrees or take advantage of free programs like MIT’s excellent Coursera offerings, structured online courses can provide a wealth of programming knowledge.
Try using online tools. Utilize free online services such as Google’s University Consortium or Mozilla’s Developer Network to learn programming. These companies aim to grow their platforms by fostering more developers, making their resources some of the best available online.
Learn through online tutorials. Many programmers create websites to teach unique programming basics and share useful tips. Look for tutorials specific to the language you want to learn.
- There are numerous free online classes that teach coding. Khan Academy offers computer programming lessons with straightforward instructions and videos. Code Academy is another free resource that provides step-by-step tutorials.
Start early if possible. Many programs are designed to teach programming to children. Tools like MIT’s Scratch are highly effective, and the younger you are, the easier it is to learn programming (or any language).
- Avoid using kits, as they rarely teach anything useful.
Self-Study
Begin with a good book or tutorial on programming. Look for a well-reviewed and popular book about the programming language you want to learn. Reviews on Amazon or similar sites can help you identify which books are worthwhile among many mediocre options.
Find an interpreter for the language. An interpreter is simply another software program that converts the code you write in a programming language into "machine language" for execution. There are various interpreters available, so choose one that suits your needs.
Read the book! Take programming examples from the book and input them into your interpreter. Experiment by altering the examples to see how the program executes different commands.
Organize your own ideas and shape a functional program. Start with something simple, like a currency converter, and gradually move to more complex projects as you read and learn more about the programming language.
Learn another language. Once you've started programming extensively in your first language, you might want to pick up a second one. Ideally, choose a language that uses a completely different paradigm. For instance, if you started with Scheme, you might try C or Java next. If you began with Java, you could explore Perl or Python.
Keep programming and trying new things! To become a proficient programmer, you must at least keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape. It's a continuous learning process. Always be learning new languages, new programming paradigms, and most importantly, programming new things!
Advice
- Start with something interesting to motivate yourself to face challenges and develop logical problem-solving skills.
- Don't start with complex languages like Java. Instead, try something simpler like Python, which is beginner-friendly and covers nearly all aspects of programming.
- Get yourself a useful reference book. Make sure it's the latest edition since programming languages are constantly updated.
- There's a very good and easy-to-use programming language for beginners, known for its user-friendliness: VB (Visual Basic). Give it a try; it's really great!
- Understanding syntax is essential in programming. You're free to use it in your own way. Study some exemplary programs and then start writing your own code.
- Multithreading is a powerful concept in Java.
- Use Eclipse when writing Java programs. It's an incredibly useful tool that can find and fix bugs in your code; you can run your code immediately and use the package explorer to quickly browse through multiple code files.
