A Gateway into the Computer World

Have you ever been genuinely interested in something and eagerly looking forward to it but when it actually happened, it wasn’t as good as you thought it would be?

Many students experience this when they enroll in a course they’ve never been educated about but were interested in. What am I talking about?

Storytime: An average 12th-class student pursuing commerce with math as their stream while they have an interest in the field of IT/computers. As it is ever-growing, they want to dive into it and explore more. They take up BCA as a course and are all set to learn about various domains in it such as programming, web development, cyber security, etc. But when they see their peers studying with them, they get a backlash as some of them, being IP/CS students, have learned about programming already and it is not something that is new to them. On the other hand, some find the course that they dreamt of doing an alien language, something they think is not meant for them, and feel under-confident or have no clue from where to start.

Relatable enough? Let’s see how you can solve these issues.

Where Does One Really Need To Start and How?

We all ask these questions from others, from teachers, students, and peers, and get answers that never match. Some say doing HTML is easy, others might say to start from C language or take Python as a base language and it is confusing.

So what is it one should do?

Let’s get you started on how computers work, what they are, and how they start, because one needs to know the basics if they have to excel in it.

- Learn a beginner-friendly programming language like Python.

- Get familiar with HTML and CSS for web development.

- Understand databases and SQL.

- Study algorithms and data structures.

- Master version control with Git.

- Explore computer science concepts and data structures.

- Enroll in online courses and MOOCs.

- Practice by working on small projects.

- Develop soft skills like problem-solving and communication.

- Make accounts on Linkedin, GitHub, Kaggle, etc.

Use websites like Codecademy and Python to learn. Practice coding and brush up on basic math. Explore data structures and algorithms. Ask for help in programming communities, attend tech events, and stay updated with tech news.

Now all of this may sound vague so let’s dive into the details :

How to Make Some Really Cool Websites and Apps?

We all have used the web and have been interested in how this website is made. We all wonder about some aspect of a webpage that amazes us. For instance, the feature of changing the mode on a site i.e. dark mode → light mode, and think how to code it. So if you are into that let’s get you started in the world of development:

“Be patient, learning programming takes time”

When it comes to web development it is highly recommended to begin with a strong grasp of fundamentals, which includes: HTML, CSS, bootstrap, and JavaScript (JS) (in the order stated). HTML provides the fundamental structure of a website, while CSS is used to design it and make it visually appealing to a broad audience. Bootstrap helps in engaging and reaching out to audiences through responsive and user-friendly design components. JavaScript plays a crucial role in web development, simplifying various tasks and enhancing interactivity. Proficiency in JavaScript greatly facilitates the overall web development process.

To build expertise, create simple projects, collaborate on platforms like GitHub, and learn from others. Mastery in coding comes through practice. When confident, attempt to replicate websites like Amazon or Flipkart to apply your skills effectively.

One may think that web development and app development are the same thing, we have to code for both. Well, you are right, we do have to code for both, but there is a huge difference in how to do it.

To start the journey of app development we have to gain theoretical knowledge about developing apps, think about how our favorite apps are made, go on YouTube, and research a bit to get more insights. Start learning Java and Kotlin programming languages along with XML for interface design and understand the file structure and basic functionalities. Progress to designing simple and complex user interfaces, learn about storage options, build using Gradle, master threading, and enhance debugging skills. Start with basic apps. To make them, go to the complex ones once you think you have learned enough (which probably is never gonna happen). Start to replicate some, and try to write the code of the app that you find interesting. And that is how you can call yourself a developer.

AI/ML

If you are a Marvel fan or even have a little knowledge about it, you must be aware of Tony Stark aka Iron Man, and of course, his famous suit and the inbuilt AI- JARVIS. Have you ever wondered how Jarvis would work if ever made in real life, well that is what AI/ML is.

“Learning machines to imitate human intelligence.”

Artificial intelligence refers to computer systems that can behave intelligently, reason and learn like humans.

Machine Learning is a subset of artificial intelligence focused on developing algorithms with the ability to learn without explicitly being programmed.

During the initial months of your AI learning journey, focus on laying a strong foundation in mathematics and mastering Python programming. Gain proficiency in data manipulation using Python libraries and delve into machine learning fundamentals, including various algorithms and deep learning. Specialize in a specific area that aligns with your interests and career goals, whether it’s natural language processing, computer vision, or another field. Stay informed by following AI-related resources and, importantly, develop an understanding of the ethical considerations in AI throughout your learning process.

Data Science

For someone with no knowledge of Data science, the first thing that comes to mind after reading the word is that it has something to do with numbers. But it is very vague. So what is Data Science?

Data science is the science of analyzing raw data using statistics and machine learning techniques to conclude that information.

So what, are we given numbers and we have to draw a meaning? Well, technically yes, but it is a bit more complex than that.

“Data science is more of an art than science.”

Firstly, you have to understand it is not just about concluding the data; it is about using Python to draw a meaning and then presenting it to others.

One should start with Python and its libraries, understand the meaning behind it, get as much theoretical knowledge as one can, and then afterward practice these libraries using data sets given on a website called Kaggle. Practice makes a man perfect works just fine in this scenario as well. Then, as stated above, it is also about presenting since a major part of data science is how you present your data, do a lot of mock presentations, and explore different ways to do it. There are various levels of raw data presented to us so you will have to slowly increase the complexity of a data set.

If you are thinking of getting into it, then you will have to go slow with a pace that makes you 100% sure that you are getting everything you learn and if you don’t have that kind of patience then it is better to explore a bit more.

Designing

Have you ever thought of creating visually appealing things using different tools and AI provided to us? It can be an app such as Uber or any cool image that has been edited to the level that one can just look at and be amazed by.

We all have used Uber, and OLA at one point in our lives but how do they work? Is it only app development or is anything else needed with it as well?

Well, the answer to this is with app development. We here are using UI/UX design to give users the best experience, so now you may be curious as to what UI/UX is.

UI/UX design aims to create a positive user experience that encourages customers to stick with a brand or product. A UX designer decides how the user interface works and the UI designer decides what the user interface looks like.

Graphic designing is the practice of composing and arranging the visual elements of a project. Designing the layout of a magazine, creating a poster for a theater performance, and designing packaging for a product are all examples of graphic design.

“Digital design is like painting, except the paint never dries.”

So how to create that design: There is no right or wrong way to learn about it, everyone learns in a different way because it is about creativity at the end of the day, but there always exists a basic structure that one can follow-

Read about the theory as much as possible, gain all the theoretical knowledge, and read articles about UI/UX designers, and graphic designers who have excelled in the field. Read some of their case studies and find out how they design and work.

Then hop onto Figma, Adobe Illustrator or Procreate to learn about it, watch tutorials start making designs, and upload them on websites. Get into it and create your own aesthetic. Do some practical examples like making a web page of a website.

Go to Dribble or Behance and see what others make, get inspiration to create as much as you can.

Cyber Security

Picture your digital world as a fortress and cybersecurity as the guardian at the gate. It’s a mission? Safeguarding your digital systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, intrusive attacks, and potential chaos. But why is it so crucial? Think of cyberattacks as sly intruders trying to breach your castle’s defenses. Their objective is to either sneak in unnoticed, change things around, steal your valuable secrets, or even demand a hefty amount of money. It’s like having invisible spies at your doorstep.

Now, here’s the challenge — the digital world is dealing with more devices than there are people and these attackers are growing smarter and sneakier by the day. With all these devices interconnected, it’s like having countless entrances to your fortress, each with its own set of vulnerabilities.

Let’s not sugarcoat it — cyber threats are as real as they get. They can lead to heavy consequences like data breaching (yikes!), financial losses (ouch!), and a severe dent in your reputation (Oh no!).

Now if you want to safeguard it how can you do it?

EC-Council provides one of the best-certified courses on Cyber Security through which you can learn anything you want, it has all the domains to engage in. Start with the basics of C-EH (Certified Ethical Hacker) and continue the journey according to you. Cyber security is a vast domain with many subdomains as well which you will have to research and learn according to your interests.

Conclusion

The computer world is not just restricted to programming, or a person in a hoodie sitting in the dark and hacking. It goes beyond that. It involves exploring various aspects, connecting them to the IT field, identifying problems, and creating solutions using technology. It is way much more intriguing and at the same time, challenging that one can imagine.

There are numerous fields within the realm of the computer world, many of which weren’t covered here. You’ll have to wait for the upcoming blogs that will delve into those areas. There are many more aspects to explore and connect within IT, whether it’s gaming, AR/VR (Augmented & Virtual Reality), Competitive Programming, IoT (Internet of Things), and more.

The possibilities are endless, offering a diverse array of opportunities for those who are curious enough to venture into this exciting field.

Written by — Tashvi Aggarwal (Member at ACE)