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How to become a better programmer?
I am a freshmen majoring in computer science. #computer-programming
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Doc’s Answer
Jackie when you start programming as a beginner you will be thinking that why should I code by hand. It’s a time-consuming process, I can’t run and check my code on paper and also if I actually need to implement something on my system then why should I use pen and paper. When you will apply for jobs in programming, most of the time the technical evaluation process will include code by hand. You will be asked to write code using pen and paper or you might have to use a whiteboard. Coding by hand is something old-school technique but it actually involves a test for a programmer’s proficiency. Coding by hand can give you a clear understanding of syntax and algorithms, you make a deeper connection in your brain. Learning programming this way will make your work easier and faster later.
Ultimately when you want to become a developer, you will be writing code corresponding to big algorithms & hence its very important to study data structures. When it comes to programming language, understanding Data structures & algorithms is equally important if not more important as it improves the logic building skills. Remember – In most scenarios, there are multiple ways to achieve the same solutions. Whenever you understand a code snippet, try to experiment & play around with it by making changes to it. This will give you a more broader understanding of the working of the code & you might discover something more interesting.
Hope this helpful Jackie
You can learn a lot from other people's code. You can find experts in your field or use GitHub to find code that's similar to your own. It's exciting to discover how other developers write code and solve problems. You will develop your critical thinking skills. Is the method they use better than yours?
Ultimately when you want to become a developer, you will be writing code corresponding to big algorithms & hence its very important to study data structures. When it comes to programming language, understanding Data structures & algorithms is equally important if not more important as it improves the logic building skills. Remember – In most scenarios, there are multiple ways to achieve the same solutions. Whenever you understand a code snippet, try to experiment & play around with it by making changes to it. This will give you a more broader understanding of the working of the code & you might discover something more interesting.
Hope this helpful Jackie
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Stuart’s Answer
Initially I would suggest picking a language (C/C++, Java, Python, etc) and stick with it
Read books or watch intro you tube videos where they go over the concepts of the language. Make sure you do sample coding along the way. Just watching / reading without actually writing code usually doesn't work well. This will allow you to learn basic concepts like looping, variable definitions, etc
Once you have basic concepts, write programmings and debug them (either using a debugger or print statements)
After you understand how the program is running, make it do more and look for performance issues
After a while you can start to tackle more difficult topics like threading, data access, etc)
Before you no it, you will be writing detailed apps. Once you learn a concept in 1 language, picking up another language is usually not to difficult
HTH
Read books or watch intro you tube videos where they go over the concepts of the language. Make sure you do sample coding along the way. Just watching / reading without actually writing code usually doesn't work well. This will allow you to learn basic concepts like looping, variable definitions, etc
Once you have basic concepts, write programmings and debug them (either using a debugger or print statements)
After you understand how the program is running, make it do more and look for performance issues
After a while you can start to tackle more difficult topics like threading, data access, etc)
Before you no it, you will be writing detailed apps. Once you learn a concept in 1 language, picking up another language is usually not to difficult
HTH
Thank you!
Jackie
Updated
philippe’s Answer
Hi Jackie,
Here are few tips you can use.
If you are coding for your pleasure, you can apply for coding groups around you, be part of a product coding community (example: home automation like Smartthings, or others), engage in hackathon activities around you too. Try to help others reviewing their code by participating in Github projects etc..
If you are coding as a job and you belong to a company, try to get an SW expert or architect as a mentor. They will help you focusing on what is important to have in mind within your company scope. They will certainly bring you in when something interesting is happening and you'll be able to demonstrate your skills and gain more while practicing.
Hope that helps
Here are few tips you can use.
If you are coding for your pleasure, you can apply for coding groups around you, be part of a product coding community (example: home automation like Smartthings, or others), engage in hackathon activities around you too. Try to help others reviewing their code by participating in Github projects etc..
If you are coding as a job and you belong to a company, try to get an SW expert or architect as a mentor. They will help you focusing on what is important to have in mind within your company scope. They will certainly bring you in when something interesting is happening and you'll be able to demonstrate your skills and gain more while practicing.
Hope that helps
Updated
Brayden’s Answer
Hello!
Being good at code can be difficult so dont be alarmed. I would suggest the best way is to watch online tutorial videos for whatever system it is you are working with. There are a ton of coding software's like Matlab, Python, Arduino just to name a few and they almost all operate on the same premise with just some minor differences between them. Matlab is very good with data analysis and great to be used as a calculator to solve complex algebraic functions. Arduino is great for programing electronics like small motors and actuators. Done be afraid of joining some of the online forums and asking questions. I know that they can be intimidating at first but once you get the just of how to ask question and supply the readers with enough info people really do want to help other people, it just takes time to find the right area to post things. Youtube is also a great place to search for tutorial videos or tips and tricks for how to advance your skill set. Hopefully this helps!
Good luck!
Being good at code can be difficult so dont be alarmed. I would suggest the best way is to watch online tutorial videos for whatever system it is you are working with. There are a ton of coding software's like Matlab, Python, Arduino just to name a few and they almost all operate on the same premise with just some minor differences between them. Matlab is very good with data analysis and great to be used as a calculator to solve complex algebraic functions. Arduino is great for programing electronics like small motors and actuators. Done be afraid of joining some of the online forums and asking questions. I know that they can be intimidating at first but once you get the just of how to ask question and supply the readers with enough info people really do want to help other people, it just takes time to find the right area to post things. Youtube is also a great place to search for tutorial videos or tips and tricks for how to advance your skill set. Hopefully this helps!
Good luck!
Updated
Preethu Pallavi’s Answer
Here are a few thing that helped me get better at it
->You can try out the online coding platforms like Leet Code/ Code chef. Solutions for many questions are already available online , make sure you go through them once you solve the questions, you will find many different ways in which you could have solved it. Try to make your solution more efficient and simple. Doing this you will familiarize yourself with many techniques, data structures and algorithms which can help in getting summer internships or in your interviews. As mentioned in previous comment make sure you choose a language first and practice with it. If you understand the concepts switching to a new language when needed will not be hard.
->Attend the technical workshops , hackathons and Tech Fests , they help you gain exposure to many upcoming technologies and networking with people is always helpful!
->You should also start on your own personal project ,it can be anything, you can pick some frameworks and get started on building something.
->You can also try contributing to some open source projects that interest you and also internships can help you learn a lot.
->You can try out the online coding platforms like Leet Code/ Code chef. Solutions for many questions are already available online , make sure you go through them once you solve the questions, you will find many different ways in which you could have solved it. Try to make your solution more efficient and simple. Doing this you will familiarize yourself with many techniques, data structures and algorithms which can help in getting summer internships or in your interviews. As mentioned in previous comment make sure you choose a language first and practice with it. If you understand the concepts switching to a new language when needed will not be hard.
->Attend the technical workshops , hackathons and Tech Fests , they help you gain exposure to many upcoming technologies and networking with people is always helpful!
->You should also start on your own personal project ,it can be anything, you can pick some frameworks and get started on building something.
->You can also try contributing to some open source projects that interest you and also internships can help you learn a lot.
Updated
Vincent’s Answer
1) Write cool stuff you don't totally understand
2) Break stuff horribly
3) Figure out why it is broken
4) Fix it well, and think about what else is going to go wrong with it
5) Repeat
Don't be afraid to break stuff, but don't cut corners to fix it either. Neatly format your code, and put a lot of comments on anything you write so when YOU look at it later you know where your mind was at the time.
2) Break stuff horribly
3) Figure out why it is broken
4) Fix it well, and think about what else is going to go wrong with it
5) Repeat
Don't be afraid to break stuff, but don't cut corners to fix it either. Neatly format your code, and put a lot of comments on anything you write so when YOU look at it later you know where your mind was at the time.
Thank you for answering.
Jackie
Updated
Shaivya’s Answer
1. Try picking up a language, (C,C#,Python,Java etc.). This will give you the basic knowledge of where to start.
2. Next try to learn various algorithm, take up an online course lie Algorithms, Data Structure etc. This would let you know how you can use these languages in different ways.
3. Try the problem solving skill. Try to solve a problem which you think can be solved using a Program.
2. Next try to learn various algorithm, take up an online course lie Algorithms, Data Structure etc. This would let you know how you can use these languages in different ways.
3. Try the problem solving skill. Try to solve a problem which you think can be solved using a Program.
Updated
david’s Answer
Curiosity. Detail.
Once you start on a piece of code that is running, you need to dig into it. See how all the steps work.
Then try to understand why it was coded the way it is.
Find a bug and then try to fix it. Create some unit tests to prove a function behaves as it seems.
IMO languages are transitory, the real skill is knowing how it all works.
Once you start on a piece of code that is running, you need to dig into it. See how all the steps work.
Then try to understand why it was coded the way it is.
Find a bug and then try to fix it. Create some unit tests to prove a function behaves as it seems.
IMO languages are transitory, the real skill is knowing how it all works.
Thanks for the reply!
Jackie