How To Start Coding: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners 2022

Coding in a lot of ways provides the gateway to the digital world. Mobile applications, social media websites, video games… All these wouldn’t be possible without coding! 

The best part of coding is that anyone can learn how to code. Check out this complete beginner’s guide on how to get started with coding.

What is coding?

Also called programming, coding is the language in which humans can communicate with computers. Essentially, humans input codes into the computer. These codes will command the computer on what to do and what processes to run. Coding and programming languages are the essential components of websites and mobile applications.

Executing codes can also help in data processing, analysis, and research. Tech industries use codes to build their software and applications. The business and finance sector also uses codes to run internal databases and optimize operational processes.

Coding has a place in the future as it is slowly becoming an essential skill to have. For people with zero experience in programming languages, coding is very easy to learn! There are several YouTube tutorials and online courses that teach the basics of coding. Even schools offer several classes dedicated to teaching kids to code.

Beginner’s Guide to Coding

1. Set your goals.

The first step in learning how to code is to determine your goals. Why do you want to learn how to code? Knowing your objective will help you choose which materials to study. You will also be able to decide on the programming language to learn based on your purpose. Coding has many components, so starting by defining your objective will give you a direction for learning.

2. Familiarize yourself with the basics.

You have now defined your objective for learning. The next step is to begin familiarizing yourself with the elements of coding that you need to learn.

One of the advantages of learning how to code is you don’t have to do it inside a classroom. You can learn how to code by enrolling in online courses, reading e-books, watching YouTube tutorials, and joining online communities and discussions.

Beginners can learn how to code by first reading the basics of how codes work to build programs and applications. Next, you must learn the different programming languages and their uses. Finally, you can watch online tutorials on how codes are executed until a program is built. Watching complete videos when you are already familiar with the concepts will give you a better understanding of each step.

3. Select a programming language.

Once you have the basics down, you are now ready to begin coding! Select a programming language that will suit your objective. Each language has its advantages and disadvantages. Keep in mind that no language is better than the other. It is all about how you use the language to create a code.

Here’s a list of the most used programming languages and their applications.

HTML, CSS, and Javascript

HTML and CSS are among the basics of coding. These fundamental languages are easy to learn and are widely used for building websites. The advantage of using HTML and CSS is you get better with practice. The more you use them, the more appealing your website can become.

HTML is used to create the structure of the data to be displayed on the website. On the other hand, CSS is used to layout the data on the website. In simple terms, HTML creates the data structure while CSS displays the data using different layouts, colors, and font styles. The disadvantage of sticking to these languages is that they are limited to only the design of a website.

So, what is Javascript? Javascript is a functional programming language that can be integrated with HTML and CSS. You can create codes with Javascript to make the website more interactive. It is one of the most popular programming languages for both beginners and experts in coding.

Java

Java is the best programming language for mobile app development on the Android platform. It is an object-oriented programming language. This makes it easier to use for app development, with flexible and adaptable functions. The downside of using Java for beginners is that a basic knowledge of Javascript is required.

Python

Python is a popular language for building web applications and simple games. Advanced knowledge of Python is also used for machine learning and data science. This programming language is highly versatile. It also has wide community support and many available libraries and databases.

Python is one of the best languages for beginners as it is very easy to learn. The language’s versatility means that it can be used for many applications. The downside to Python is that it is not the best language to use for mobile applications.

4. Start building small projects.

Learning the theoretical parts is just the first step of coding. Practicing building codes with the programming language of your choice is the next step. Once you have a good grasp of the concepts, you can begin building basic programs.

Some of the best programs to build for beginners include calculators and libraries. You can also build simple games such as sudoku and hangman. For the intermediate level, you can try your hand at building time tracking tools and chess games.

The Bottom Line

Once you know how to code, the key to improvement is to continue learning. Understanding the basics of a programming language is a great way to begin developing apps and websites. From knowing how to code using a single language, you can then expand your knowledge into several other tools and languages used for coding.

A great way to continue improving is to join various coding communities. A lot of programming languages enjoy wide community support; joining online discussions and forums will enhance your knowledge. You will get to learn from the experts, exchange ideas, and ask questions to further develop your skills.