Ok, so you want to learn coding. But hold on there are some basic checks to tick before entering into this field. You must be passionate about the world of computer technology.
Are you ready to spend hours and days just to debug a bug in your program? If yes, then let’s start the journey. Throughout this journey I will give you some examples to make things easier
Table of content
- Understand why you want to code
- Learn the basics
- Build projects
- Understand version control
- Learn problem-solving
- Build your portfolio and network
- Never stop learning
Understand why you want to code
Everything we do in our life has some purpose. In the same way, you should know why you are starting this beautiful journey. You can ask a few questions to yourself for more clarity. The questions could be the following –
- Do I want to make life easier by using the computer?
- Do I love building things even if any challenge comes?
- Will I be able to think critically to solve any complex problem?
- What kind of domain do you like? (finance, health, education, AI, etc.)
The list could be endless. But according to me you can consider these questions. And wait I am not making you afraid by asking this question. š
Different people have various reasons to start this career. Like for me, when I was in 7th standard, computers always fascinated me. I was surrounded by computers and mobiles in my school days. At that time one thing always excited me, how my computer knew that I pressed any key on the keyboard. How does that cursor move when I move the mouse? and so on.
Then I started learning things like painting and reading computer-related books. These help me to understand the workflow and the basics of computers. Parallelly I was using the computer as a hobby.
Now, you need to find out your motivation. Because when you know the purpose you will never leave the things in the middle. You continue to learn and grow even if you have lack of motivation. The coding opens a variety of roles to work with. If you stick to one thing you will eventually grows in the given field. Moving forward to the next interesting topic.
Learn the basics
In the programming world, learning the basics and fundamental things is far more important than learning a bunch of things together. Growing up in the career you will realize how learning basic things will help to save your days and hours to solve any problem.
First of all, find out the domain you like. It could be from the following list of domains-
- Artificial Intelligence
- Backend Development
- DevOps
- Web Development
- Machine Learning
- Cloud Computing
- WordPress Developer
- Data Science
- Game Development
- Embedded Systems
- IoT Development
- Full Stack Developer
- Cybersecurity
- Blockchain Development
This list is growing day by day. Every day technology is evolving and creating separate segments and opportunities in the tech field. Choosing the right domain before starting will help you to understand a particular topic efficiently.
For a more detailed roadmap, I use this website Roadmap.sh
Now domainwise you can learn the languages required to work in that particular domain. In the below table, I have listed some common languages and frameworks.
| Domain | Languages & Frameworks used |
| Web Development | HTML, CSS, Javascript, Java, Node.js, React |
| Data Science / Artificial Intelligence | Python, R, Tableau, TensorFlow, Numpy, OpenCV |
| Mobile Apps | Java, Kotlin, React Native, Flutter |
| Game Development | C#, Unity, Unreal, Blender |
| System Programming | C, C++, Go, Rust |
| Cloud Computing | AWS, Azure, Google Cloud |
Explore each and every domain and the significance of building the software. You will get to know the use of every domain. why it is used and which problem it is solving. Once you are sure about your domain. Start learning the basics from various resources available on the internet.
I used to refer to the documentation of particular languages or frameworks and YouTube videos in the beginner stage. Once you are clear with fundamentals you can move forward with official documentation and other kinds of stuff like GitHub forums.
Build Projects
I personally consider this to be the best method to learn any language. Each and every language I know today, I learned by building cool projects. It generally creates a sense of accomplishment when we write code and solve the problem. When your software is in action you will realize the flaws in that and will try to make it more secure and scalable. Practical knowledge is more important than knowing things on paper.
If you feel stuck at any point, the internet is there to help you. Keep this thing in mind that there always be a solution to your problem. You are just one Google search away. Nowadays people use ChatGPT to save time. Start with basic projects like creating an addition program, calculators and any webpage etc.
I can surely say that, the feeling you will get after building a successful project will be remarkable. But remember don’t copy projects from anywhere. In future when you start working on some big application these problem-solving skills will help you to make things easier.
Never expect that your code will work in the first shot. Believe me, it is not gonna happen. 95% of the time your code will not work only 5% you can expect. You will spend more time on debugging code not writing new code.
Understand version control
Learn Git and platforms like š§© GitHub or GitLab to collaborate and manage your code.
Understanding the version control system is very crucial to managing your code. Now you might be thinking why do we need these tools? See as a beginner it is fine if you don’t use any version control system, but things started getting worse when your codebase started increasing. If some issue happens, how will you revert back to the normal state of your application?
So to manage such issues, VCS is very important. Another use case is, when working with teams it is easy to manage which developer made which change. It would be easy to manage the commits and facilitate collaboration by allowing multiple devs to work on the same projects.
Learn problem-solving
You should be able to solve real-life problems. You must be able to understand the problem statement and use technology to solve it more efficiently. Practising data structure and algorithms helps developers to store data efficiently and make something out of it.
Consistency is the key to mastering DSA. It doesn’t matter how many problems you solve each, but what matters is how effectively you solve the problem.
There are various platforms available to practice Data Structures & Algorithms which are listed below-
Another critical aspect is to debug effectively, Bugs always be there in the code. To identify and fix them, we should practice this skill as well.
Build your portfolio and network šŖš¼
Now in this stage, you know how to code and solve problems. It’s time to sell your skillset to the world market. For that, you can takethe help of various platforms to tell people that you know building software.
LinkedIn, Naukri, and X(Twitter) are some of the platforms that help skilled people advertise their skills globally. Think of your portfolio as your showcase. Itās a way to tell your story as a developer and let your work speak for itself. Networking, on the other hand, is about connecting with people who can inspire, guide, and open doors for you. Together, they help you stand out and create opportunities.
Lastly, donāt underestimate the value of a mentor. Whether itās someone you meet online or through a community, a mentor can provide guidance, feedback, and support as you navigate your career. And donāt forget your peersātheyāre often the best source of encouragement and collaboration
š§š»āš» Never stop learning
Follow blogs, newsletters, or YouTube channels that focus on coding topics youāre interested in. Platforms like freeCodeCamp, Traversy Media, or Fireship offer bite-sized tutorials that make it easy to learn on the go. Podcasts are another great way to absorb knowledge during commutes or while doing choresājust pop in your headphones and immerse yourself in discussions about tech trends and innovations.
Join communities where developers share their knowledge, such as Reddit, GitHub, or Dev.to. Engaging with these communities not only exposes you to new ideas but also gives you the chance to contribute your own insights. Collaboration, whether through pair programming, open-source contributions, or hackathons, is a fantastic way to learn and grow alongside others
One last thought
coding is more than just writing lines of codeāitās about solving problems, creating value, and continuously evolving. Remember, you donāt have to know everything all at once. Take it step by step, celebrate small victories, and keep moving forward. Most importantly, enjoy the process. Coding isnāt just a career, It is a way to shape the future, one line at a time.
Thank you! š
