12 answers
Sam
Student
Foley, Alabama
1
Question
Asked
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How can I build myself up if I want good in programming ?
How can I build myself up if I want good in programming ?
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12 answers
Jack Keenan, CFA
Software Engineer
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jack’s Answer
Hi Sam!
Great question, and one that many have asked.
Let me start by saying programming is a challenging field. As you embark, it is important that whilst learning, you do periodic checks to make sure (a) you're still curious
(b) you have lots of 'why' questions in your head
The technologies, coding languages, and resources are vast. My humble suggestion would be to start with an approachable programming language with a large community (lot of people on the internet to answer your questions). The best candidates for me are Python, or JavaScript. To give you some more specific advice on how to learn the skill and build confidence, I've found the below resources helpful in building coding skills quickly:
(free) https://www.theodinproject.com/
(paid) https://www.datacamp.com/
As you build literacy, continue to ask yourself (a) and (b) questions above. Are you still curious?
Once you have some literacy (it took me months), my suggestion would be similar to other answerers: find a small but manageable project to work on. Something like a tik-tac-toe game, or a single page personal website. Did you enjoy it? Did (a) and (b) stay true?
If yes: rinse and repeat!
Great question, and one that many have asked.
Let me start by saying programming is a challenging field. As you embark, it is important that whilst learning, you do periodic checks to make sure (a) you're still curious
(b) you have lots of 'why' questions in your head
The technologies, coding languages, and resources are vast. My humble suggestion would be to start with an approachable programming language with a large community (lot of people on the internet to answer your questions). The best candidates for me are Python, or JavaScript. To give you some more specific advice on how to learn the skill and build confidence, I've found the below resources helpful in building coding skills quickly:
(free) https://www.theodinproject.com/
(paid) https://www.datacamp.com/
As you build literacy, continue to ask yourself (a) and (b) questions above. Are you still curious?
Once you have some literacy (it took me months), my suggestion would be similar to other answerers: find a small but manageable project to work on. Something like a tik-tac-toe game, or a single page personal website. Did you enjoy it? Did (a) and (b) stay true?
If yes: rinse and repeat!
Ahmed Khanzada
Consultant
13
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ahmed’s Answer
The best way to learn coding is to solve a problem that you have a great passion for solving. This will keep you motivated when the path gets difficult.
When I was a kid, I really wanted to make videogames. So I learned how to code videogames. Software like RPG Maker, Unity, and Unreal Engine are all good for that.
When I was a kid, I really wanted to make videogames. So I learned how to code videogames. Software like RPG Maker, Unity, and Unreal Engine are all good for that.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6075
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Sam!
If you're looking to level up your programming skills and become a pro, there are a bunch of steps you can take. Let's break it down into easy-to-follow steps to give you a clear roadmap.
Find Your Passion: Start by figuring out what you love about programming. There are so many areas to explore like web development, software engineering, data science, and more. Knowing what you're passionate about will help you focus on the right skills and knowledge.
Master the Basics: To become a programming whiz, you need to start with the basics. This means getting a good grip on programming languages like Python, Java, C++, and others. You'll also need to understand key concepts like data structures, algorithms, object-oriented programming, and problem-solving techniques.
Dive into Real Projects: One of the best ways to boost your programming skills is by diving headfirst into real projects. Building actual applications, websites, or software will give you hands-on experience and help you really understand programming concepts.
Find Great Learning Resources: The internet is packed with learning resources like coding tutorials, courses, and forums. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, freeCodeCamp, and Codecademy offer a ton of courses for all skill levels.
Join Open Source Projects: Contributing to open source projects on sites like GitHub is a fantastic way to gain practical experience, work with seasoned developers, and build a portfolio that shows off your skills.
Keep Learning: The world of programming is always changing, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. Reading blogs, following experts on sites like Medium or Dev.to, and going to tech meetups or conferences can help you stay in the loop.
Connect with Others: Networking with other programming pros can give you valuable insights and advice. Finding a mentor can provide personalized guidance and help your career grow.
Practice Solving Problems: Taking on coding challenges on sites like LeetCode or HackerRank can sharpen your problem-solving skills and get you ready for technical interviews or real-world coding situations.
Show Off Your Work: As you get better at programming, put together a portfolio that shows off your projects, achievements, and contributions. This can really boost your credibility when you're looking for jobs or freelance gigs.
Think About Further Education: Depending on your career goals, you might want to consider getting a formal degree in computer science or earning industry-recognized certifications to further prove your programming prowess.
In a nutshell, becoming a pro at programming takes dedication, constant learning, applying your knowledge in real-world situations, networking with other pros, and staying adaptable to changes in the industry.
As for the likelihood of this answer being correct, it's hard to give a numerical probability because it's a subjective topic. The answer's correctness would depend on how well it lines up with established programming skill development principles and best practices in the tech industry.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
IEEE Computer Society
Stack Overflow
Take care and keep coding!
James.
If you're looking to level up your programming skills and become a pro, there are a bunch of steps you can take. Let's break it down into easy-to-follow steps to give you a clear roadmap.
Find Your Passion: Start by figuring out what you love about programming. There are so many areas to explore like web development, software engineering, data science, and more. Knowing what you're passionate about will help you focus on the right skills and knowledge.
Master the Basics: To become a programming whiz, you need to start with the basics. This means getting a good grip on programming languages like Python, Java, C++, and others. You'll also need to understand key concepts like data structures, algorithms, object-oriented programming, and problem-solving techniques.
Dive into Real Projects: One of the best ways to boost your programming skills is by diving headfirst into real projects. Building actual applications, websites, or software will give you hands-on experience and help you really understand programming concepts.
Find Great Learning Resources: The internet is packed with learning resources like coding tutorials, courses, and forums. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, freeCodeCamp, and Codecademy offer a ton of courses for all skill levels.
Join Open Source Projects: Contributing to open source projects on sites like GitHub is a fantastic way to gain practical experience, work with seasoned developers, and build a portfolio that shows off your skills.
Keep Learning: The world of programming is always changing, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. Reading blogs, following experts on sites like Medium or Dev.to, and going to tech meetups or conferences can help you stay in the loop.
Connect with Others: Networking with other programming pros can give you valuable insights and advice. Finding a mentor can provide personalized guidance and help your career grow.
Practice Solving Problems: Taking on coding challenges on sites like LeetCode or HackerRank can sharpen your problem-solving skills and get you ready for technical interviews or real-world coding situations.
Show Off Your Work: As you get better at programming, put together a portfolio that shows off your projects, achievements, and contributions. This can really boost your credibility when you're looking for jobs or freelance gigs.
Think About Further Education: Depending on your career goals, you might want to consider getting a formal degree in computer science or earning industry-recognized certifications to further prove your programming prowess.
In a nutshell, becoming a pro at programming takes dedication, constant learning, applying your knowledge in real-world situations, networking with other pros, and staying adaptable to changes in the industry.
As for the likelihood of this answer being correct, it's hard to give a numerical probability because it's a subjective topic. The answer's correctness would depend on how well it lines up with established programming skill development principles and best practices in the tech industry.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
IEEE Computer Society
Stack Overflow
Take care and keep coding!
James.
Matt Ganis
Work with all new Technologies
6
Answers
Mahopac, New York
Updated
Matt’s Answer
If I understand correctly, you're asking, "how can I improve?"
The answer is straightforward yet pretty simple: Code more.
Never stop generating ideas and translating them into code. Even if it's been done before, go ahead and create your own version. The more you code, the more it becomes an instinctive part of you. I always emphasize that programming isn't just about mastering a language. It's about how you dissect problems, how you logically and systematically approach (and solve) solutions.
-Matt
The answer is straightforward yet pretty simple: Code more.
Never stop generating ideas and translating them into code. Even if it's been done before, go ahead and create your own version. The more you code, the more it becomes an instinctive part of you. I always emphasize that programming isn't just about mastering a language. It's about how you dissect problems, how you logically and systematically approach (and solve) solutions.
-Matt
Efraín Escobar
Cloud Engineer
12
Answers
Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Updated
Efraín’s Answer
Hi Sam, remember, "Experience makes a teacher."
Dive into the world of coding by engaging with websites that offer daily challenges. These platforms give you the freedom to pick from a variety of programming languages to practice. The best part? Most of these sites reward your progress with badges, making your profile more appealing to the companies that sponsor these platforms.
Here's a list of some of the many sites that offer exciting challenges:
- TestGorilla.
- CodeSignal.
- Codility.
- HackerEarthAssessments.
- iMocha.
- HireVue.
- Mercer Mettl Assessments.
- Glider AI.
Remember, every challenge overcome is a step closer to mastery. Keep coding, and keep learning!
Dive into the world of coding by engaging with websites that offer daily challenges. These platforms give you the freedom to pick from a variety of programming languages to practice. The best part? Most of these sites reward your progress with badges, making your profile more appealing to the companies that sponsor these platforms.
Here's a list of some of the many sites that offer exciting challenges:
- TestGorilla.
- CodeSignal.
- Codility.
- HackerEarthAssessments.
- iMocha.
- HireVue.
- Mercer Mettl Assessments.
- Glider AI.
Remember, every challenge overcome is a step closer to mastery. Keep coding, and keep learning!
Daniele S.
Accountant
18
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Daniele’s Answer
Hi Sam,
Start with a strong foundation in the basics of programming languages, data structures, and algorithms. Practice coding regularly, work on small projects, and gradually tackle more complex challenges. Engage with the programming community, participate in coding forums, and seek feedback on your code to improve. Stay updated on industry trends and technologies. Never underestimate the value of continuous learning and problem-solving.
Explore various programming paradigms (e.g., object-oriented, functional) to broaden your understanding. Consider contributing to open-source projects or collaborating on coding projects with others to gain practical experience. Build a portfolio showcasing your projects, and highlight the skills you've developed. Stay curious and be persistent; programming skills often improve over time with consistent effort and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
Start with a strong foundation in the basics of programming languages, data structures, and algorithms. Practice coding regularly, work on small projects, and gradually tackle more complex challenges. Engage with the programming community, participate in coding forums, and seek feedback on your code to improve. Stay updated on industry trends and technologies. Never underestimate the value of continuous learning and problem-solving.
Explore various programming paradigms (e.g., object-oriented, functional) to broaden your understanding. Consider contributing to open-source projects or collaborating on coding projects with others to gain practical experience. Build a portfolio showcasing your projects, and highlight the skills you've developed. Stay curious and be persistent; programming skills often improve over time with consistent effort and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
Sara Morsi
Software Architect
12
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Sara’s Answer
James already provided an in-depth answer but I'll provide some additional insights.
Taking steps to think about how to solve a problem, learning the programming fundamentals and applying what you're learning everyday helps with becoming a better programmer. Applying your learnings can range from working on a side project that's aligned to your interests, finding problems to solve online on sites like leetcode or getting involved in local hackathons.
If you don't know the answer to something or how to tackle a new problem, researching how other people and companies tackle complex problems and what are the industry best practices around it help as well. Don't be afraid to ask questions and always stay curious!
Taking steps to think about how to solve a problem, learning the programming fundamentals and applying what you're learning everyday helps with becoming a better programmer. Applying your learnings can range from working on a side project that's aligned to your interests, finding problems to solve online on sites like leetcode or getting involved in local hackathons.
If you don't know the answer to something or how to tackle a new problem, researching how other people and companies tackle complex problems and what are the industry best practices around it help as well. Don't be afraid to ask questions and always stay curious!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1793
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have interest in programming.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Choose a simple programming language to start, eg python, scratch, etc
2. Find out the structure and syntax of the programming language. There are plenty of resources online.
3. Start doing some programming work. Then, you can try to do some small projects, eg control a toy car, robotic arm, etc. Practice makes perfect.
4. After you have familiarise with one programming language, you can learn another one
5. Explore the entry criteria computer science course in the college. You can learn the fundamentals of computing theory in the college.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Choose a simple programming language to start, eg python, scratch, etc
2. Find out the structure and syntax of the programming language. There are plenty of resources online.
3. Start doing some programming work. Then, you can try to do some small projects, eg control a toy car, robotic arm, etc. Practice makes perfect.
4. After you have familiarise with one programming language, you can learn another one
5. Explore the entry criteria computer science course in the college. You can learn the fundamentals of computing theory in the college.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Andrew Dass
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Hello Sam,
To become better at programming or at any activity, you have to start reading and practicing relevant skills related to that subject. As for coding, to get started, there are many free tutorials online to read and understand more about it. Then, when you want to start coding, you want to have an idea or project in mind you want to solve by using coding or programming. I always recommend FreeCodeCamp for beginners. Good luck!
FreeCodeCamp's Website: https://www.freecodecamp.org/
To become better at programming or at any activity, you have to start reading and practicing relevant skills related to that subject. As for coding, to get started, there are many free tutorials online to read and understand more about it. Then, when you want to start coding, you want to have an idea or project in mind you want to solve by using coding or programming. I always recommend FreeCodeCamp for beginners. Good luck!
FreeCodeCamp's Website: https://www.freecodecamp.org/
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
454
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
I would also suggest you read other people's code. See how they approach the problem. Is their code clear and understandable? Did they write useful and appropriate comments?
See if you can share your code with other people and have them critique it. You can write code for years, but if you have bad habits, you are not a good coder. OTHER people need to be able to understand your design and code for it to be considered "good" - at least in my opinion.
See if you can share your code with other people and have them critique it. You can write code for years, but if you have bad habits, you are not a good coder. OTHER people need to be able to understand your design and code for it to be considered "good" - at least in my opinion.
Ben Alterzon
Engineering Manager
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ben’s Answer
Start with a fundamental course in any programming language that piques your interest. Discover a project that sparks your enthusiasm and dive right into it. Nowadays, it's much simpler to get rolling with chatGPT. Wishing you all the best on your exciting journey!
Sean Halliday
Software Developer
6
Answers
Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Sean’s Answer
The best approach is to try to solve problems with code. There are lots of good places to start like code.org. Scratch is also a good online game engine for beginners. Try to make simple things first and then build up from there. You can also try GameMaker. Start with simple 2d games. Work with friends on a game together.