So, you want to write some code

Getting into programming can feel a little like Jeremy Clarkson’s anecdote about buying a drum kit:

It was a whole week before I was ready to sit down and
start drumming. Right. Here we go. Er . . .

I’ve seen loads of gigs over the years and I sort of assumed that you
just writhe around and hit stuff, but after just a few moments I
realised it wasn’t like that at all.

Realistically all you actually need to start programming is some sort of input for the code, and even web browsers have that.

Here’s an example. Open up a browser (if you’re not already reading this article in one) and type the following line followed by the return key:

javascript:void(alert(“HackMonth rules!”))

With a bit of luck, you should see a message saying “HackMonth rules!” (which of course it does). Computer code is just instructions to a computer on what to do, and you input instructions every time you enter something in the address bar, click “Save”, or like that awesome picture of a dog on Instagram.

To be fair, you’d have to have a heart of stone not to at least like a photo like this. By Shane Guymon on Unsplash

Dog pictures aside though, what makes coding intimidating is that a computer will do exactly what you tell it to, and the instructions get increasingly complicated.

That’s not a reason to shy away from it though — quite the opposite. Code can be immensely powerful: it powers smart televisions, games consoles and modern cars; it creates applications that let people order life-changing medication, sends your photos to distant family and friends, and can search for the definition of the German word “dummkopf”*.

OK, so how do I get started?

Here’s a rough checklist of what you need for HackMonth:

• An idea
• A chosen programming language (or multiple if you know what you’re doing)
• A code editor

We’ll cover the languages and editors in a separate post. Getting an idea isn’t easy - code can’t tell you what to build. One common way to think about it is to ask: what problem do you want to solve? It might be a way to get organised, a way to stay in touch, or a campaign to get people to stop standing at the top of escalators.

Failing that, there are a few good standby projects you can build:

• A to-do list app
• A blog, complete with a comments system
• A personal website with your CV on it
• An Instagram/Twitter clone

How complex the project is is entirely up to you, but the great thing about code is, you can build anything you want.

We’ll be posting more content on here about how to get started and how to keep focused. In the meantime, have a think: what could you build?

*It literally translates to “stupid-head”, in case you were wondering.