How to Learn Coding

When people think of coding, they might think of the Matrix or Tron. They might also think of the tech empires that have gained prominence in society through the power of code, such as Apple, Microsoft, or Meta (formerly known as Facebook). In reality, coding covers anything that allows machines or programs to function. Codes are used to launch a satellite into space or change the microwave setting that heats dinner. Most developers have turned towards the internet because it’s become essential to everyday life. Almost everything has a website, app, or social media page. That means you can always find a way to incorporate programming into any profession. Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning how to code so you can make an informed decision about how you’d like to get started. What is Coding? Coding is one of the most in-demand skills dominating today’s job market. In simple terms, coding is the language that tech professionals use to tell devices how they should operate. There are several coding languages that are used for different purposes; some of the more common languages include Java, Python, and JavaScript. Coding skills are required in many positions, including Software Engineer, Full Stack Developer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, and many others. The main upside of coding is that it’s also adaptable to nearly any industry, including education, fashion, finance, medicine, entertainment, and marketing. While it may seem complicated to break into a coding career, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Nowadays, anyone can become a coder and obtain an entry-level position after taking a coding bootcamp or two. Read more about what coding is and why you should learn it. What Can You Do with Coding? Coding is an incredibly versatile field that covers a wide selection of topics. You’ll be able to create websites, algorithms, and programs that have uses in every industry on the market. Even if your chosen career operates primarily in-person, you’ll be able to take creative approaches to coding that will make everyone’s lives easier. You can make your own video game, build an online presence for your small business, or code simple programs that automate your mundane tasks. There’s no limit to what you can do with coding. This impressive skill will always serve you well if you have an imaginative mind and a willingness to learn more. In-Person Coding Training There are two significant points to consider when it comes to in-person training. Some perks are that you’ll often be completely free of distractions and have occasional social opportunities by learning with peers who are also interested in coding. However, those who participate in these courses often encounter some drawbacks. First, you’ll have to travel to a physical location and pay for transportation. You’ll also need to revolve your schedule around the in-person class schedule, making it challenging to juggle other obligations. If you’re local to New York City, you can learn at Noble Desktop’s training centers in Manhattan. Anyone not in the New York City area can still find a local coding training center through the Classes Near Me search engine. Some solid choices are The Software Guild, Northwestern Boot Camps, and various local colleges and universities offering open coding programs to the public. Live online Coding Training Live online training has become more popular in the past few years. Some of its perks include its engaging, real-time experience that’s taught by the same coding experts that would teach in-person classes. You’ll also be able to take these classes from anywhere in the world, including your bedroom or kitchen. Some drawbacks are that you’ll need to set up your workspace and technology independently, but many online training centers offer technical support if needed. Regarding specific training, you can find live online coding classes through Noble Desktop or their Classes Near Me search engine. The Software Engineering and Full Stack Web Development programs are great places to start. Other live online class providers include Ironhack, Digital Crafts, and Code Fellows. You’ll be in good hands no matter which option you choose. Free Online Courses & Tutorials You might feel a little overwhelmed when looking for coding classes and bootcamps, which is perfectly understandable. You’ll likely want to start with something that matches your interests or aligns with your career goals. It’s okay to hesitate when you’re starting the process of learning to code. Try some free courses first to see which topics appeal to you, and then you can go from there. Many pre-recorded lectures cover the fundamentals and will give you enough knowledge to gauge if it’s right. All these free courses are intended to let you test the waters and make an informed decision before committing. Websites are where most people start when they’re first learning to code, and the Intro to Front End Web Development class by Noble Desktop shows you which programming languages are needed and how to use them. From there, you can look into WordPress, one of the internet's most-used Content Management Systems (CMS). WordPress is highly customizable, and the Intro to WordPress for Developers course teaches you how HTML and CSS knowledge can enhance its interface. Another side of coding is data science. General Assembly's free Intro to Data Science class teaches you the essential practices data scientists use. They also have an Intro to Data Analytics course that covers Google Sheets and other standard tools. Read about more free coding videos and online tutorials. On-Demand Coding Classes Taking on-demand classes is one of the best ways to reinforce the knowledge you learn in your coding classes. They’re self-paced and perfect for anyone who wants to learn to code but has other obligations that would interfere with attending an in-person or live online class. The main drawback of this format is that you can’t get immediate feedback from your instructor. On-demand courses are also helpful when you’re planning to learn a coding topic such as Python but still need to adjust your schedule to allow room for a course or bootcamp. If you want to learn to code but aren’t sure where to start, free on-demand classes are also a solid way to test them out. Look into some on-demand classes and use them to explore various coding topics before deciding which one to pursue. Tips to Learn Coding Coding can be complicated, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The fact that it’s complicated also doesn’t necessarily mean it’s hard. With the right mentor, anything involving code can become more straightforward and help redirect focus away from programming topics that may not be relevant to any current projects. Anyone can learn to code even while they’re preoccupied with other obligations. Many coding classes are taught online, meaning someone can take a course while caring for the children at home. Still, some obstacles might be hard to overcome without intentional focus. The following tips will serve as a guide through them. Start Small You might get overwhelmed at the beginning of your coding journey. Don’t worry; it’s natural because of all the information you’ll learn. While forming your goals and analyzing the careers associated with coding, it’s a good idea to break your learning down into manageable steps. Think about the first few steps you need to take to get started. Would you prefer to start with a shorter class to test the waters? Or would it be better to have a structured program that will lead you every step of the way? In either case, always ask for help when you need it. Coding has tight-knit communities based on its topics. For example, JavaScript has dedicated support networks that share resources and help each other with questions as they arise. You Can Learn As You Go Imposter Syndrome is a common occurrence in any profession. Most people experience it at some point in their career. In some cases, it can happen even before you start your career! Imposter Syndrome typically occurs when taking on too many new things at once. It can also lead to perfectionism in every aspect of the coding journey. When the road ahead looks longer than anticipated, it can feel as if the goal is unachievable, or if the goal is met, it can feel undeserved. That might happen when you’re learning to code. Once you learn HTML and CSS, you might feel that your first website isn’t at its best. While you’re learning JavaScript, there’s a chance that you’ll get confused while you’re attempting to master its frameworks and databases. No one knows everything, especially when they’re first starting. Take your mistakes with a grain of salt and press onwards. It’s not possible to make every day the best day, but every day can still be a good one. As mentioned before, help is available from mentors, coaches, and the coding community. All you have to do is ask. Be Patient With Yourself Life can get in the way sometimes. That’s perfectly understandable. Everyone has obligations that can throw a monkey wrench into their plans or face unexpected obstacles that temporarily halt their progress. The key word is “temporarily.” Stay dedicated to pursuing your goal, and you’ll find a way to make it work. It’s okay to take a class for a few weeks, finish it, take a break, and then start with another after some time off. Any amount of progress, no matter how small or slow, is still significant in the grand scheme of things. The most critical aspect is preparation. Those who prepare are more likely to succeed in the long run. During any lulls, take some time to research your next steps and plan out the next course of action. Where to Start? Now that you have all the tools you need for success, where should you start your coding journey? There are many options available, and here is a handful that is suitable for beginners: Most people who start coding learn about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These programming languages are all you need to become a Web Developer. The Front End Web Development Certificate program teaches you how to create, customize, and maintain websites. You’ll also learn to dabble with WordPress, the internet's most-used Content Management System (CMS). You can try the Full Stack Web Development Certificate to further your web development skills. This bootcamp goes over front end development concepts, but it also teaches you back end concepts to give you a well-rounded experience. To quickly explain, the front end handles everything that the client can see, while the back end works with the servers behind the scenes. Full Stack Developers cover both ends and oversee their activities as needed. If you’re interested in becoming a Software Engineer, the Software Engineering Certificate bootcamp is calling your name. This immersive program touches upon concepts for front end development, JavaScript development, and Python development. There are also bootcamps fully dedicated to JavaScript and Python, two prevalent programming languages with more depth than HTML and CSS. Check out the JavaScript Development Certificate and Python Developer Certificate programs if you want to specialize in these languages. These programs will serve as the gateway to the coding world and give you access to career opportunities that may not have been possible for you before. Take as much time as you need to prepare, and then get started when you’re able. Which Learning Method is Right for Me? There are an incredible amount of resources available to beginners that you might feel unsure where to begin. Know that these resources are meant to make your life easier, not more complicated—if you resonate with the tools that teachers give you, use them. If you’re struggling to learn them, ask for help or see if another tool fits your learning style and preferences better. You’re in charge of your learning, and it doesn’t matter which combination of tools you use as long as you can use them effectively. When you’re starting to learn to code, it’s essential to consider your current schedule before you choose your class. If you have obligations on your plate, such as a full-time job or family commitments, you may not be able to devote time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time every day. In that case, self-paced classes or video tutorials may be better for you since you can access them when you have time in your schedule. You might prefer a structured course in-person or live online if you have a more flexible schedule. Why Learn Coding? Coding is becoming increasingly relevant to the working world. It will only become more critical as companies try to build their online presence. Most businesses are shifting their focus online in response to increased remote working and learning opportunities. As a result, coders have risen both in value and demand. Learning to code has become more accessible thanks to live online classes that teach basic coding principles. After taking a coding bootcamp, you can start applying to entry-level positions, even if you’re continuing your education in programming. High school students can obtain these skills and use them to bolster their resumes before they enter college. Read more about why you should learn coding. Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost The topics you need to learn before coding depends on the specific coding language you plan to use. In general, you can learn most coding languages with no experience in others. When it comes to ideal languages to start first, most people enjoy HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python due to their overall accessibility and range of uses. Learn about typical coding prerequisites for more details. Coding languages themselves are generally free to use and learn. Specific tools may require a fee to install. Luckily, many applications and tools, such as React, are open-source, meaning that it’s freely available for modification and community interaction. For more specifics about the costs associated with coding, check out the guide on coding costs. The difficulties that come with learning to code are often subjective. Still, most people without experience can gain entry-level coding skills within six months through bootcamps and certificate programs. No matter how you approach learning to code, it’s essential to have a mentor who can give you feedback on your work. Read about how difficult it is to learn coding. Key Takeaways No one is perfect, and no one’s education is a linear path. It doesn’t matter how soon you start learning to code, when you take your next course, or what happens between classes. If you plan out your goals and stay resilient during struggles, you’ll enter your coding career in no time. Learn Coding with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop Noble Desktop has a robust collection of coding classes and bootcamps that fit various learning needs. They offer in-person classes in Manhattan as well as live online classes internationally. All classes have relatively small class sizes and are taught by coding experts who have practical knowledge in the field. After completing your classes, you’ll have the option to retake those courses at no cost for up to one year, allowing you to practice, review subjects, and receive insights from instructors for free. If you’re eager to learn a collection of coding languages and applications, the Software Engineering Certificate will give you a taste of three notable ones. You’ll start with Front End Web Development, allowing you to create websites through HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once you understand these subjects, you’ll shift focus to JavaScript’s various frameworks and databases, including React, Node.js, and Express.js. Finally, you’ll learn Python Development with Django, which is helpful for server-side programming, among other topics. Anyone interested in algorithms and data collection should look into the Python for Data Science Bootcamp. It’ll show you the fundamentals of Python and everything that it entails. The possibilities of uses with Python are vast, and this bootcamp is the perfect segue into the Python Machine Learning Bootcamp. Companies such as Netflix and Amazon use machine learning programs to pull up suggested items for their users, and this bootcamp will teach you how to develop them yourself.