Coding is the process of using programming languages to give instructions to a computer, which power websites, software, and applications people use every day. Whether you want to build your own app, or create a website for a small business, learning to code is a valuable skill that can help you achieve your goals.
The best way to learn coding depends on your specific needs and the projects you want to complete. If you’re planning to make a career out of it, classes are often recommended and can help you master the skills more quickly. However, if you’re simply trying to boost your personal projects, there are plenty of free resources available.
For example, Codecademy offers small, digestible tasks and a sandbox to practice in. They offer free courses for a variety of programming languages, and they also have paid guided projects and career paths. Other options include W3schools, which has a full range of tutorials and a helpful search tool. You can also watch programming-related videos, like The Coding Train, which focuses on Python and has entertaining challenges. Podcasts like CodeNewbie can also be useful and help you wrap your head around the language’s jargon.
Regardless of the method you choose, it’s important to be patient and stick with it. Many people say that the hardest part of learning to code is staying engaged, which can be difficult because the work can be repetitive. In addition, it’s not uncommon to run into problems that you can’t solve, which can be frustrating. To stay motivated, it’s often recommended to seek out a community or find a mentor to guide you along the way.