programming

Best Ways To Learn Programming

You see, programming is a tool for problem solving. To solve an issue, you must first THINK about it. You consider how to handle a problem. What do we hope to gain from the resolution of this problem? Such thoughts occur to us. After you’ve figured out how to fix the problem, you sit down and CODE it. In other words, PROGRAMMING is 80% THINKING and 20% CODE.

 

Discover how to tackle every challenge.

 

 

What are some solutions I could try?

 

What results should I expect if the answer is correct?

 

Is the outcome consistent with your solution? Congratulations on your success! If the output is odd and not what you expected, investigate what went wrong in your effort. Then, start all over again

 

Hence, before you begin programming, you should understand what ALGORITHMS are. Algorithms are just instructions expressed in a language similar to plain English.

 

 

Begin with easy issues. To Begin a Computer, for Example

 

This is an example algorithm for a daily task.

 

Start

Locate the Power Button

Just press it.

Please wait a moment.

The solution is complete when the screen lights up and the desktop displays.

Stop.

Another example would be:

 

Start

Locate the Power Button

Just press it.

Please wait a moment.

If the screen lights up and the desktop displays, the answer has been found; otherwise, proceed to the next step.

Ensure that the power plug is properly inserted and turned on before proceeding to step 2.

Stop

 

This is a program. In this case, we had a problem statement for starting a computer. We broke it down into manageable chunks. Each phase had its own assignment. On step 5, we also checked a condition. Based on the situation, we either proceeded to the following step/instruction or skipped forward.

 

Now comes the moment you’ve been looking forward to the most: CODING!

 

We have certain computer difficulties to tackle, much as the one mentioned above. Every coder takes the SAME technique. They all plan/write an algorithm, which they then code. With practice, you can imagine a complete algorithm in your head.

 

Nonetheless, it is always a BEST PRACTICE to grab a pen and paper and WRITE WHAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH and HOW YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IT. This is true for both beginning and advanced programmers.

 

Assume we have a problem statement that asks us to determine the square of a number.

 

Let us start with the ALGORITHM!

 

Start

Take a number

Put the number somewhere safe.

Multiply that number (number * number) by itself.

Save the outcome somewhere else.

Show the outcome.

Stop

That wasn’t so difficult, was it?

 

So we have already solved 80% of the problem! Congrats!

 

Let us now go on to the 20%.

 

A PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE is used to CODE an algorithm. There are numerous, such as C, Python, and Java. You do not need to be fluent in all programming languages.

 

It’s not essential. The goal is to find a solution to the problem. Language is just a tool for accomplishing this.

 

Choose your preferred programming language. For novices, I would recommend C or Python. Start using Python if you want to become a programmer and create great things! Choose C if you want to take your time and learn about what’s going on behind the hood. Python will be used in this case.

 

Let’s see if we can Write the above procedure in Python. CODING refers to the process of writing instructions in a computer language.

 

The Python program for finding the square of an integer is as follows:

 

number = 9 print result = number * number (result)

Explanation:

 

The first line combines the algorithm’s Stages 2 and 3. The number 9 is stored in a region in computer memory which we identified as “number”.

 

 

Steps 4 and 5 are combined in the second line. We multiply the contents of the location by the same content and save the result into another location named “result”.

 

The third line just outputs the contents of the result location. This would result in the number 81 being printed.

 

That’s all! Your first show!!!

 

THE APPROACH TO PROGRAMMING:

 

Understand that ANY issue statement is always tackled initially with an algorithm. A PLAN is required in basic, non-technical terms.

This is how I want to address the problem, according to my Strategy. Always comprehend and follow the algorithm. If your algorithm is broken, Your code would also be flawed.

 

Take your time, make mistakes; it’s very common for even experienced devs to make mistakes; we all do it.

 

If you follow the steps correctly, you will finally arrive at the solution!

Every coder has been where you are right now. The only thing that keeps programmers going is Practicing.

 

Take little steps. You will go forward one step at a time. Make errors and learn from them. Check out the mistakes. Look it up on the internet. Google everything foreign to you. The programming community is enormous, and everyone assists one another. Someone must know the solution to your inquiry.

 

Provide yourself plenty of time. Learn the fundamentals. Following that, the fundamentals become muscle memory. If you train an hour every day for 30 days, you can become a very competent programmer in less than a month!

 

You can check this article too: ChatGPT and the future of Programmers

 

7 Obstacles you need to overcome to master Coding

  1. Inspiration

 

You’re not doing it for the proper reasons.

 

Motivation is critical to your learning process. Don’t learn programming just because it’s cool or because you’ve heard it pays well.

 

You should do that if you wish to fix your own difficulties. Improve your life by automating. Create an app to assist others.

 

If you simply enjoy programming and want to make a profession out of it, you may feel tempted to give up along the road. This generally occurs when things get really difficult and the learning process becomes excruciatingly unpleasant. Then you’ll tell yourself that you no longer enjoy programming, that it’s not for you, or that you weren’t born to be a programmer.

That is why you should think about creating a project completion objective. If you have a project or a larger problem in mind, you might tell yourself, “This might not be a nice experience right now, but I really want to solve this greater problem, so I’m going to push myself and conquer this hurdle.”

 

  1. Ambiguity

 

You have no idea where to begin in terms of technology.

 

“What programming language should I learn first?” many people wonder.

 

This issue occurs because they are unsure of why they want to learn to code.

 

After you’ve decided on a project, it’s simple to determine the programming language to use:

 

If you want to create an iOS app, use Swift.

If you want to create an Android app, use Java.

If you want to create a web app, use JavaScript.

 

JavaScript may now be used to create any form of project, from basic web and mobile apps to complex hardware projects. Individuals are employing it in a variety of areas, including music, medicine, video games, and fashion. This language gives you the most leverage.

 

If you’re still undecided about which language to use, you may seek guidance from a programmer. A programmer can easily propose a language and a suite of tools to you once you know what project you want to construct.

 

 

Additionally, bear in mind that much of what you learn in one programming language is transferable to others, so there is minimal danger at this stage.

 

  1. Doubt about oneself

 

You can’t use what you’ve learned and then blame yourself.

 

It’s simple to get started and study the theory once you’ve decided on your technological stack. There are several free and paid courses available online.

 

The majority of our students understand the theory and can describe how a specific piece of code works. The theory is just a collection of notions. Anyone who truly wants to can remember it in a matter of days. So, what’s the problem?

 

The most difficult challenge for students is actually using the theory to solve issues and build new code. This implies that the gap is a skills gap.

 

Swimming is an excellent comparison. You can read about the perfect technique and perhaps express it to someone verbally in the same way that a professional instructor would. But, putting this idea into reality requires a lot of experience, difficulty, and blunders. You’ll drink a lot of water:-)

 

Worse, you’re blaming yourself. Or believing that you aren’t clever enough or talented enough. It’s none of that; it’s all about having discipline and following a comprehensive procedure. So, how do you hone your skills?

 

Select a difficult project to work on. It should ideally be something that piques your interest.

Divide it into tiny, distinct jobs. A task like “build the login page,” for example, is far too large. A job should not take more than 20 lines of code to complete. Here are some pointers that will help you succeed:

If you are unable to complete the assignment, consider breaking it down even more into smaller tasks.

You should not be required to apply too many theoretical notions at once in a task.

Instead of tackling numerous activities at once, concentrate on one at a time.

 

Do not go on to the next job until you have properly checked the current one and are confident that it is error-free.

If you don’t do that and your app misbehaves, the problem might be in any of the jobs you’re working on at the same time, making it far more difficult to detect.

Before beginning work on a task, ensure that you understand all of the essential theory. You may not always know what theory you need to understand. That’s typical, and you may seek assistance from a programming buddy, a mentor, or a community like StackOverflow.

Ultimately, you finish the work. After completing a mission, you may meet several obstacles, which you will learn about next:

 

4) Impatience

 

You speed through jobs without considering the implications of your code.

 

The best-case scenario is that you complete the assignment successfully. They generally then begin working on the next assignment. If you do this, you are squandering a chance to learn.

 

I invite you to put yourself to the test by answering the following questions:

 

Are there any scenarios in which my code could fail? Is there any application condition that may cause it to break even if it isn’t failing right now?

Is my code sufficiently clean? Is it simple to comprehend and modify for other developers, or even for myself? In the future, you may need to solve hidden bugs in this code or modify it to meet the requirements of other products.

 

Is my strategy the best one? What other options may I have had? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option? Is it worthwhile to solve the problem in a different way?

What interactions does this module have with other modules? Can it have a negative impact on any of them? Is it easily used by other modules?

Unfortunately, you frequently get stuck:

 

  1. Idleness

 

You don’t know how to approach a task, so you look for shortcuts and so don’t learn anything.

 

Do you have no idea where to begin? You may be tempted to attempt things at random or copy code from places you don’t understand. Yet, this is ineffective. Not even if you copy working code. So if you are given a similar work in the future, you will be unable to do it.

 

If you want to do the assignment correctly, you must first determine why you are stuck. Here are some probable explanations:

You are unfamiliar with the following theories: language syntax, how a library or an API works, or how a certain function or class works programming paradigms (for example: asynchronous programming)

how the system operates (for example: HTTP requests are a crucial thing to understand in web development)

If the notion still doesn’t make sense to you, simply read it again or find someone to explain it to you.

The assignment is too large and should be divided into smaller tasks.

You don’t grasp what the assignment requires since you read it too quickly and missed things that were familiar but were not.

 

6) Bug aversion

 

You know how to do a task, but your solution is broken due to defects. You despise debugging, so you give up.

 

This is the most prevalent programming issue. Even for coders with decades of expertise. Your solution’s failure is most likely due to a flaw in your code.

 

How do you repair it? By debugging your program. As a programmer, this is one of the most critical skills you can master. It is not something you do at random or by chance. You may detect problems in your code by following specified methods. There are books dedicated to training this talent.

 

Regrettably, many rookie programmers lose motivation and give up at this point. Few courses emphasize the significance of debugging. That might be daunting if you don’t know how to do it correctly.

 

Many individuals are concerned that they spend too much time debugging code. This is typical, and you should expect it during your early years of programming.

 

Even better, you must learn to like debugging. Consider it an opportunity to correct your misconceptions and enhance your programming skills. Whenever you address an issue, ask yourself this question: “Why did I make this error in the first place? How can I avoid myself from making it in the future?”.

 

It is advisable to keep a programming notebook where you put down all the bugs that you uncover. You’ll see trends and learn from them rapidly.

 

  1. Deception

 

You’re getting assistance, and you believe you’ve gotten it. The truth is that you did not.

 

In many circumstances, you will be unsure how to seek assistance.

 

“What do you mean get assistance?” You will reference a variety of materials when learning to code or troubleshooting your code: books, classes, tutorials, mentors, and developer communities.

 

When you learn from all of these resources, the most typical problem is that you don’t press yourself to completely comprehend what’s going on behind the scenes and how a notion fits into the wider picture.

 

For example, after working on an issue for 10 hours and eventually having someone else offer you with a solution, it’s simple to take that answer, rejoice, and move on to the next assignment. Don’t do it! Instead, You must engage in some metacognition:

 

Consider your prior mental process. Ask yourself what went wrong and what you may have done better to get at that specific answer on your own.

Inquire about the person’s cognitive process. How did she or he arrive at the solution? Use what you’ve learned and apply it to yourself the next time.

 

 

This is a significant disadvantage of StackOverflow or reading responses on Google: you cannot learn how others come up with solutions. You can only accept the solutions and try to comprehend them. But, you will never know the mental process that led to those answers.

 

Fight tenaciously.

 

 

I merely want to remind out that this explanation is likewise theoretical. It will not benefit you unless you use this principle often, until it becomes a habit.

 

Programming is all about developing healthy habits to help you get unstuck. Expect your code to fail the first time it is executed.

 

Get our free eBook by email!

Name