Tips to learn how to code fast
Coding can be hard, but it doesn’t mean that we cannot find a fun way to study. Learning to code at a young age gives inspiration and motivation for those who want to pursue a degree in Computer Science/IT field. With a huge amount of resource available throughout the internet, more and more people decided to learn code by themselves to land on their dream job such as mobile developer, website developer, software developer, or even becoming a researcher to solve an interesting problem. It might seem daunting at first if we did not know where to start or the best/fastest way to improve our programming skill. Here are the tips that have been proven to be effective by many programmers and the python community.
I. Set your goal on why do you want to learn to code
It is crucial to establish which direction you want to go, and why do you want to learn code in the first place. Setting your goal first will give you motivation and commitment toward learning. For example, if you’re going to become a web developer, searching for the best online course to start with is your best bet. However, if you want to try out and experience on what is a programming language or to give an intuition on what this major is about, learning from interactive websites are your best options. Nevertheless, I would recommend for the beginner to get started with a high-level language such as Python Programming Language since it is easier for them to understand the logic.
II. Choosing which resource to learn from
Learning programming fundamental from an interactive website is really helpful for beginner because they might not be able to install the correct environment or setting up a coding environment. Hence, interactive website simplifies all these steps and let the user code on their website and output the result for the user. Here are some of the popular website for interactive coding:
However, if you prefer to learn from video rather reading, there is also a good website to start with, such as Lynda or edX. The method of learning entirely depends on your personal preference. Some people learn best from watching the video, some learn best from reading the documentation, some learn from doing hand-on practice, and some learn from having a mentor. Choosing the best method that suits you the most will increase your productivity. Thus, before starting to learn to code, it is beneficial to understand which method you preferred.
III. Fully understanding the fundamentals
Although all programming languages have different syntax, logic, and built-in function, they still share the same programming fundamental. Based on my own experience in coding, understanding the fundamental is essential when moving from basic material to advanced material. It is also vital when you learn multiple languages at a time. e.g. an array datatype in Java will be most likely to be the same for the array datatype in C++. So, before you skip a particular section in any course, please be aware that you are overlooking the most critical step.
IV. Code by Hand
This might sound hard for the beginner because when you write code on a paper, you won’t be able to compile and produce output, which is very obvious. On the other hand, coding by hand is still one of the main methods to learn how to code. Whether it is on a whiteboard or notebook, coding by hand requires decision making, precision, awareness, and intention on every letter we write. It is time-consuming using this method, but it will sharpen your coding skill to the next level, and you will be able to impress your targeted company in a technical interview. Furthermore, it will improve your debugging skill and coding speed since you will need less time to look for documentations.
V. Discussion Forum is your best companion
People tend to learn faster with feedback and suggestion. In some cases, you might encounter a bug that seems impossible for you to remove, but for the experience programmers, they will be able to give you some tips on how you should remove that bug or a new way to address the problem. One of the advantages of being a programmer is that there are a lot of questions that may have been asked by another programmer before, and it might be a solution to our problem. However, I highly recommend that you take 20–30 minutes to solve that task on your own before asking for help because it will develop your critical thinking skill. One of most view website for programming assistance is Stackoverflow, where you can get the answer to your doubt or share knowledge with the fellow programmer.
VI. Understanding every line of the sample code
Reading the sample code will only give you an overview of the programme. To grasp the logic behind the programme, you need to run each line of the code that you do not understand and print out the output or draw the logic on a piece of paper or whiteboard. Also, notice that there are comments on every line that will help you to understand it better (though most programmers hate writing comments). Moreover, it is even better if you have the time to recode the programme again from scratch using your own logic to produce the same result.
VII. Take a break with a cup of tea/coffee before debugging
When you code for an extended period, it is easier for you to stuck on the same logic for hours and it will not guarantee that you will remove the bug. Hence, it is best to take a short break whenever you find yourself stuck at some point and give yourself a pat on the head and rest. This will provide you with a fresh perspective and creativity. Do not worry about the bug; it will not go anywhere; we as a human-being need some time to restore our energy and improve productivity.
CONCLUSION
I’m hoping that the tips above will give a head start on the programming journey and inspire you to try and learn how to code. You should expect to fail a lot and be patient in every situation because it requires hard work and time to master something. If you stuck in some case, please remember that all of us programmer has been there before. Whichever path you are currently on, or you want to take in the future, the only way to accomplish your goal is to work hard and has confidence in yourself. Cheer to the programmer :D !!
