Things You Need To Know Before You Start Developing
Do you think about starting out as a software developer? Do you want to create something new through coding but aren’t sure where to start? I got you covered! Here are some things you need to know before you dive into developing.
TL;DR
This blog entry can be used as a starting point for people who want to explore the world of development.
I want to help you pick the right path by showcasing the relation of coding and programming, the difference of frontend- and backend-development as well as the choice between the path of being a self-taught developer or enrolling in a university.
A s you can see, one of the most essential skills for a programmer is knowing how to Google. Everyone needs to know how to Google to solve certain problems, except the elite few, which you can maybe count with two hands. So don’t be scared to dive into the wonderful world of coding since it is not only reserved for the omniscient programmers.
If you’ve ever wondered how to use Google properly, here’s a good blog to get a simple overview: 20 Google Search Tips to Use Google More Efficiently
Now that that’s out of the way: if you’re looking for some pointers on how and where to start in programming, you’ve come to the right place. I trodded the same path a couple years ago, trying to move from system engineering to web development. The internet is a jungle filled with infinite amounts of posts like the falling leaves in autumn, but I’m here to help you to start or to become a better developer.
“Where do I start,then? How do I improve my skillset as a future developer? Is this the right path for me, anyway?”
These are some questions that people ask themselves, especially at the beginning. If you keep coming back to the same question I can firmly say that it is the right path for you to take, especially because all developers are self-taught to some degree. Some might have a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in computer science, though some are entirely self-taught, too.
Not Synonyms: Coding vs. Programming
Essentially, the drive to learn something new is one of the most important things to have, and every developer has in common. So let’s start at the beginning: what exactly is coding?
Many people think that coding and programming are the same, but they are not. So, at the very first, I will show you the biggest differences between the two terms:
Coding
Coding is translating code from our natural language to a machine-based language. It is a part of programming — the way a tree is part of a forest–and with it, you are providing information and step-by-step actions to the computer.
On the one hand, coding is mainly used to solve simple problems or one-pagers, which don’t need a lot of resources. On the other hand, to build a whole application, coding will not suffice, and you will have to step into the world of programming.
Programming
Programming is passing instructions to the computer on how a program should be carried out, which helps computers perform specific actions. It also encompasses the process of designing and developing software to solve a particular problem.
Frontend vs. Backend — Opening the Door to the Pathway of Becoming a Developer
In which field do you want to be active in your future profession?
A fundamental question you will need to ask yourself. There are distinct differences right off the bat: Backend or Frontend — or both — for instance.
What’s the difference, you ask?
Imagine you’re having a nice dinner in a restaurant. You see the perfectly lined silverware, a beautifully decorated table, and breathtaking interior. We will distinguish between the kitchen staff (which cooks every ingredient and places them for the head chef to assemble) and the head chef/serving staff.
The kitchen staff, in this example, are the backend developers. They prepare every ingredient according to the menu they have created before and cook them bit by bit, ensuring that every ingredient arrives at the same time for the head chef.
The head chef and the serving staff are the frontend developers. The head chef creates a beautiful dish with every ingredient that arrives on a menu he asked for, gives them to the servers, and they distribute the right order to the custumer, which would be the visitor of a website.
Be it frontend, backend, or full stack, I’m sure you’ll have an enjoyable and bright road before you.
Another thing to consider is the language that is used. If you want a rough overview on what kind of languages are out there and which languages are loved and dreaded by developers, Stack Overflow creates a yearly survey in which thousands of active developers participate:
Frontend
The focus of the frontend is on what users can visually see on a browser or an application, hence the “client-side.” Frontend developers are responsible for the look and feel of a site. Common frontend languages are:
-HTML
-CSS
-JavaScript / TypeScript
-Frontend Frameworks and Libraries
-> AngularJS
-> ReactJS
-> VueJS
-> Svelte
-> Flutter
-> SASS
Backend
The backend focuses on the server side of an application, which usually consists of three parts: the server, the application, and a database. Users can’t peek into the work of a backend developer since it won’t be visible on the client side. However, the backend defines the communication between databases and servers to the browser or application.
Common backend languages are:
-PHP
-C++
-Java
-Python
-Node.js
-Backend Frameworks
-> ExpressJS
-> Django
-> Ruby on Rails
-> Laravel
-> Spring
Furthermore, there is another area in development, as some people ask themselves:
There’s also the possibility of doing both, frontend and backend. That profession is called being a Full Stack Developer. Stack refers, in this example, to a collection of technology components that will help you execute or build your particular application.
Taking Your First Step as a Developer
If you’re thinking of being a complete self-taught developer, I have good news for you
There are — in my opinion — two main paths you can choose to take your first step as a developer: Enrol into a university or college, or you take the self-taught path with the help of the internet.
As for the university or college, it’s pretty straightforward to enrol in the computer science program of a university and learn with the help of a teacher and fellow students.
If you are not enroled in a college, you could take the same path as me and visit the excellent school and world of SAE Creative Media Institute. It is a private school to kickstart your career in creative media as well as programming. They are located around the world, for instance in the United States, Australia and Europe. I chose the school for the whole “SAE experience” and its practical and real-life approach of web development.
If you’re thinking of being a complete self-taught developer, I have good news for you: The internet is brimming with information, how-to’s, and documentations.
My personal recommendations are buying courses on Udemy or enrolling at the ZTM Academy (which is not a college). Even if the documentations of languages are free and libraries are open-source, as well as finding how-to’s on Youtube, I highly encourage you to choose one of the options above. They specifically show you how to do it and why they develop that way. The information you can gather is way more in-depth and logical.
So, now that you’ve been equipped with knowledge on how to start as a newbie in coding, it is up to you which path you’re going to take and once you’ve chosen one of those two paths there’s only one thing left to do: practice, practice, practice.
Be it frontend, backend or full stack, I’m sure you’ll have an enjoyable and bright road before you. It’s a world full of wonder and creativity. A world full of discovery. And I wish that I was able to help you to pinpoint your next step, and may the code be with you dear padawan.
