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What are the basics I should be familiar with when coding?

I am a freshman at Cal Poly Pomona majoring in Computer Information Systems. I would like to develop my technical skills but I am not quite sure where to start. Any advice would be helpful, thank you. #computer

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David A.’s Answer

The first thing I would do is try to determine what kind of programming you think would interest you the most, and start there.

Do you like the idea of designing cool or pretty web pages? Try HTML/CSS, and then JavaScript (or Angular/vue/react) , these are front end or client side skills.

Or the logic behind how they work? Try C# or Java or Python , and start with basic logic projects, these are back end skills.

Or does the data side interest you, and how it comes together? Try SQL and building datasets or views to see the data in different ways.

Another factor might be where you want to work or live. For example, the big tech companies where I live , in the Midwest, use mostly the Microsoft products, like C#.

I really like working with C# , and one of the benefits of it is it’s versatility. It can be used to write for web/pc/mobile or all of them. It also has a good blend of front and back end.

Google “what is made with “ and then fill in any languages you think might interest you. You’ll see examples of big name companies that use that language and might give you a better idea of what you want to make, which will help determine what you want to learn.

Basic skills for front end:
HTML and css.
Forms
Headlines
Paragraphs
Page layout
Tables
Images

Basic skills for back end;
If / then logic
For loops
While loops
Writing out results
Taking inputs
Basic math
Variables
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Rebecca’s Answer

I would recommend some of the basic logic needed to be a programmer is to understand logical sequential steps as a concept. Math logic can be very useful as well as an algebra statement is much like computer logic.

According to Guru 99: https://www.guru99.com/computer-programming-tutorial.html
Most important basic elements for programming languages are:

Programming Environment
Data Types
Variables
Keywords
Logical and Arithmetical Operators
If else conditions
Loops
Numbers, Characters and Arrays
Functions
Input and Output Operations

Rebecca recommends the following next steps:

Read more about Applications of computer programming languages - https://www.guru99.com/computer-programming-tutorial.html
Challenge yourself and pick a language to learn - https://www.guru99.com/computer-programming-tutorial.html
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YI’s Answer

I would recommend taking a Java class first. Java is the first language that I learnt and is very popular. Please keep practicing, otherwise you probably will forget everything.
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Gorav’s Answer

I concur with Rebecca. You need to pick one language and master it by doing 1 or 2 projects.
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Lei’s Answer

I really like David's answer:

1. Pick an area that you are interested in: is it web design? data processing? data analysis? making apps? etc.

2. Pick a language that's commonly used in that area: HTML/JavaScript? Java? Python/R? Swift/Kotlin? etc.

3. Take online courses on it, or watch Youtube videos of them to learn.

4. DO YOUR OWN PROJECT - this is crucial: just watching videos or taking classes isn't enough; practice makes perfect. Don't give up! :)
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