How to Start Coding?

In recent times, we have often heard this word called “coding.” Let’s discuss what actually coding is and the resources to learn it.

In this blog, we will be answering the following questions:
1. Is it necessary to learn coding in 2023?
2. Need to learn to code?
3. Prerequisites to learning coding
4. How do I choose a Programming language?
5. A roadmap to learning any language
6. Resources to learn coding
7. Key points to remember while coding

Coding is the process of teaching something computer in its own understandable way, like writing machine-understandable code through programming languages.

In coding, we actually write programs and develop applications, websites, and software for computer-based technologies. As the computer does not understand human-understandable language, we use certain programming languages with some basic rules and syntaxes to write computer-based programs, which the computer itself then converts into binary.

A programming language is a system of notation for writing computer programs. There are three types of programming languages: low-level, mid-level, and high-level. Generally, we use high-level programming languages like Python, Java, C, C++, etc. for writing computer programs, and then the computer converts this high-level language code to a low-level language (i.e., binary).

Is it necessary to learn coding in 2023?

The Answer suggests yes; as per the recent market analysis, coding is going to be one of the highest-paying careers in the future. So it is good enough to learn to code as early as possible. But there is a question: why should we learn to code?

Need to Learn Coding?

The person who wishes to work in the software industry must be very good at coding to pass the coding assessment during the company hiring process. By learning to code, one can develop problem-solving skills and logic-building abilities, which are very helpful in the industry to solve real-world problems, and coding can also be used as a side hustle to earn money.

Pre-requisites to learning to code

To learn coding, you must know a few fundamentals and terminologies of programming languages and computers, like types of programming languages, compilers, interpreters, identifiers, variables, keywords, etc., and many more. These are some of the few fundamental words that are often used in coding. It is advisable to be well-versed in all these terminologies before starting to learn a programming language.

After learning all these fundamentals, the question is: which programming language needs to be selected? There are many programming languages like C, C++, Java, and Python; it’s better to choose one.

How do I Choose a Programming Language?

Choosing a programming language completely depends on the individual, on the basis of what field of computer science they are interested in.

If the individual is very interested in the field of Artificial intelligence, he or she can choose Python and learn it to the core.

If the individual is interested in Web backend development, app development, or desktop applications, then they can continue with Java.

If he or she is very interested in game development or GUI-based application development, they can opt to learn C++.

From my perspective, I would say choose Python, as the language is very beginner-friendly and has an easy and understandable syntax, which would be easy for beginners who wish to learn programming in a short period of time.

Roadmap for learning any programming language?

Until now, we have cleared questions like necessity and the need to learn to code. After choosing a programming language, we have to decide to what extent we have to learn it.

To gain a good command over any programming language, we have to learn the basics of the language, and then we have to learn the concepts of data structures to be good at the respective programming language.

It is recommended for anyone to become strong enough in the basics of programming language before stepping into the part of Data structures and Algorithms (DSA). The basics give you a strong foundation and command over the language, and it is good enough to practice the basics a lot.

The basics of a programming language cover concepts like:
1. Variables
2. Operators
3. Conditional Statements
4. Loops
5. Functions

After learning all these concepts, you are good enough to learn DSA. It takes at least a month of ideal time to learn all these concepts.

Resources to learn Programming languages

There are many YouTube channels and websites that give a clear understanding of how to learn programming from scratch to an advanced level. Recommended YouTube channels to learn programming languages are:

1. Apna College: Java, C++ (Hindi)
2. Kunal Kushwaha, Java (Hindi)
3. freeCodeCamp.org: C, Python (English)
4. Telusko: Python, Java (English)
5. Jenny Lectures: C, C++ (English)
6. CodeWithHarry: C, C++, Java, Python (Hindi)
7. TakeuForward: C++ (English)
8. Clever Programmer: Python (English)
9. Programming with Mosh: Python (English)

Not only do YouTube channels exist, but there are a few websites that give a great understanding of the programming language and provide some hands-on practice in programming. As in programming, it is not only about learning; it is also all about practicing. The few websites that are good enough to learn and practice programming are:

1. CodeChef: CodeChef is a learning platform that provides hands-on practice for practicing programming, from a basic to an advanced level. This platform also has a learning option where you can learn programming concepts by practicing. By practicing problems on this website, you can build your logic-building skills and problem-solving abilities.
2. HackerRank: HackerRank is an online coding platform. On this website, you can practice coding questions based on concepts. This website provides badges for solving problems, which you can mention in your resume. This website also provides skill assessment tests on Python, Java, SQL, etc.
3. GeeksforGeeks: Geeks for Geeks is an online learning website. This website is a complete guide for those who wish to crack placement exams. It contains many resources like SDE sheets, coding questions to practice, interview experiences, companies hiring processes, courses, etc. This website is highly recommended as one of the main resources for cracking any kind of job.
4. LeetCode is an online coding platform that consists of all kinds of coding questions. This website is mainly recommended by all kinds of experts who have cracked big product-based companies like Microsoft, Google, Flipkart, etc. This website is very helpful in the final phase of interview preparation as it contains questions that are mostly asked in interviews.
5. CodeStudio: The CodeStudio platform is an initiative launched by the Coding Ninjas Institute. This website also consists of all the coding questions, which are mostly asked in the interviews, and it also has Coding sheets, and guided paths, which give a complete roadmap for learning a language and Cracking a Company with all the contents required, providing hands-on practice.

Key Points to remember while coding:

1. Logic building is a key aspect of coding. In coding, we have to think of all the possible solutions and approachable ways of solving a problem.
2. Consistency is the most important thing about coding; one who needs to be good at coding should practice coding daily.
3. It’s okay to see solutions while solving a code, as one cannot solve all the coding problems. In coding, we encounter many new problems that are beyond our logic-building abilities, and we can also explore new solutions to the problems we have solved.
4. It’s okay to use Chat GPT while coding, as while doing so, we might encounter some unexpected errors that we might not have experienced before. Errors are the key, which shows our mistakes while coding and keeps us better while writing code with proper syntax rules.

Hope In this blog, I have presented all the content related to learning coding and the resources required for it. I hope this blog will be helpful to you and clear up all your confusion regarding coding. I feel you would absolutely love this blog, and if you like it, please share it with your friends, who may find it useful.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section. This blog is purely based on my personal experience in coding. If so, and you have any doubts, please approach me on my social media handles.

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Email- ID: krishnakasireddy213@gmail.com