What is Programming and Why do I Need it?

Programming is the process of writing a set of instructions for a computer to execute. Programming can be done in many different programming languages, but some common ones are C++, Java, Python, Javascript, and Ruby. The purpose of programming is to automate tasks or make them easier.

For example, if you want your program to go through all the mail in your inbox and mark any that were not answered as unread, you would use one of the programming languages or scripting languages to achieve that. If you want to build web pages, mobile applications, video games, or web applications, you must write some code.

Programming can also be used for more complicated purposes like creating games or virtual worlds using software programs such as Minecraft or many more.

Computer programming is a valuable skill set for students of all ages and a great career path to pursue. Computer science and programming languages are used in many different industries and many professions.

How to Learn Programming in 5 Simple Steps

Step 1: Learn Coding Basics

The first step to learning programming is understanding the basics of coding. You should have a basic understanding of what coding is, what it does, how it works, and how it looks. These are the questions for complete beginners to ask when just starting to learn.

Step 2: Understand the Basic Principles of Programming

Once you have an understanding of the basics, you should move on to understanding some of the principles that underpin programming. These include variables, loops, functions, classes, and more.

Step 3: Learn Coding Languages and Build Projects

Once you understand those principles, you can start learning one programming language from all the different languages Python, Javascript, or Ruby on Rails, etc. There are many languages out there, but the first two are some of the most popular ones for beginners to start learning.

Step 4: Practice Writing Code

Once you have learned a language, it’s time to put your skills into practice by writing code in that language. This will help you get used to writing code and will give you an idea about how your code will work in different scenarios. You need to start with small projects or you can join open-source projects. This way, you’ll learn how to work with others and work in groups.

Step 5: Join a Community for Coders

It is important to have a community of fellow programmers where you can learn from each other, ask for help, or just hang out. You will be surprised at the number of communities out there and what you can learn from being a member in one or many of them.

The next step for you now is to join one of the communities below or do your research and find one that best suits you.

Dev.to

Hashnode

Hackernoon

App Daily Dev

Why You Should Consider Programming as a Career and What are the Pros and Cons?

With the development of programming, many people are considering this a desirable career. It is not only a high-paying job but can also be done remotely, making it appealing to many. Some studies have shown that software developers are among the top-paid professionals in the world.

Developers and programmers are one of the highest-paying jobs in the U.S. with a median salary of $118,280 as of May 2017. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth of 10% through 2024, which is much faster than average.

Pros: Programming is a very versatile skill that can lead to many different careers. It will help you in the future because it is a skill that is always in demand in the job market.

Cons: Programming can be difficult to learn for some people and could be a long way journey to master. It also has a high barrier of entry which means you will need some money before you can get started.

What are the Different Types of Programming Languages You Can Learn?

Programming languages are the backbone of computer programming. There is no single best language to start with, as each has its own pros and cons depending on what you need to do with it.

You only need to focus on one specific programming language at first. Python is one of the most popular languages in the world, and you can do many things with it and I would also add JavaScript.

The most common programming languages are:

Python:

Python is becoming more and more popular in the software development industry. It can be used to develop any type of application. Python’s syntax is simple, and its high-level dynamically typed language design eliminates many common programming errors.

This ability enables programmers to focus on the logic of the task they are designing rather than the intricacies of language syntax.

Python has a wide range of uses and can be used for anything from web development and data analysis to scientific research. Since it’s so easy to learn, Python is being adopted by many non-programmers like accountants and scientists as well, who can easily perform various tasks using it.

JavaScript:

JavaScript was designed to be used for client-side scripting. It is primarily used in the web browser and can be used to create interactive effects, like animations or even games. But it is not only the case anymore, now you can develop a backend with Node.js.

Node.js is a platform built on a JavaScript runtime environment for easily building fast, scalable applications. Node’s package ecosystem is called npm and it has over 1.3 million registered packages to help you build anything from simple web apps to complex data processing pipelines.

Java:

Java is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Java is a general-purpose language that can be used for anything from games to enterprise software. It’s also a good first language to learn how to code in because Java has some lenient syntax rules and it provides plenty of built-in functions for handling everything from data structures like lists and trees to networking protocols like HTTP.

It was originally developed by James Gosling and released in 1995. It became very popular in the early 2000s when Android app creation began to take off. It continued to gain popularity as Google standardized its back-end web development with Java’s framework.

Some Great Free Resources to Help You Through Your Code Learning Journey

These are a few free online courses that will help you become a self-taught programmer:

1. CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science Youtube Channel

2. Crash Course Computer Science

3. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python

4. Codecademy

5. FreeCodeCamp

6. W3Schools

7. Developer Mozilla

Conclusion:

The future of programming is bright, and it’s easy to get started. All you need are the right resources and a little time. To stay up-to-date with technologies, keep reading blog posts, take online courses, and read documentation to improve your skills.

You can find extensive documentation on different topics online if you want to learn more about specific tech. We recommend that you get the best book recommendations and read as much as you can in order to stay up-to-date on best practices.

There are many different ways to learn how to code, but the best way is to take free coding classes, build your own projects, and get feedback on your code.

The courses teach you the basics to intermediate-level skills in a fun and interactive way, giving you the skill set you need to get started with your software engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or game development journey.