11 answers
11 answers
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Elizabeth if you know where to look, the internet has loads of games and exercises to help Python learners test themselves and have fun at the same time. CodeCombat offers Python programmers of all ages a chance to have fun, with other popular languages such as JavaScript, CSS and HTML also supported. It’s particularly good for young programmers with its kid-friendly design and it has plenty of resources for parents and teachers. Codewars is another fun game for Python learners. Players can progress from beginner to master level by completing various coding challenges. It has exercises for programming novices, as well as developers of all levels.
Tip #1: Code Everyday
Consistency is very important when you are learning a new language. I recommend making a commitment to code every day. It may be hard to believe, but muscle memory plays a large part in programming. Committing to coding everyday will really help develop that muscle memory. Though it may seem daunting at first, consider starting small with 25 minutes everyday and working your way up from there.
Tip #2: Write It Out
As you progress on your journey as a new programmer, you may wonder if you should be taking notes. Yes, you should! In fact, research suggests that taking notes by hand is most beneficial for long-term retention. This will be especially beneficial if your working towards the goal of becoming a full-time developer.
Tip #3: Build Something, Anything
For beginners, there are many small exercises that will really help you become confident with Python, as well as develop the muscle memory that we spoke about above. Once you have a solid grasp on basic data structures (strings, lists, dictionaries, sets), object-oriented programming, and writing classes, it’s time to start building. What you build is not as important as how you build it. The journey of building is truly what will teach you the most. You can only learn so much from reading Real Python articles and courses. Most of your learning will come from using Python to build something. The problems you will solve will teach you a lot.
Hope this has been helpful Elizabeth
Tip #1: Code Everyday
Consistency is very important when you are learning a new language. I recommend making a commitment to code every day. It may be hard to believe, but muscle memory plays a large part in programming. Committing to coding everyday will really help develop that muscle memory. Though it may seem daunting at first, consider starting small with 25 minutes everyday and working your way up from there.
Tip #2: Write It Out
As you progress on your journey as a new programmer, you may wonder if you should be taking notes. Yes, you should! In fact, research suggests that taking notes by hand is most beneficial for long-term retention. This will be especially beneficial if your working towards the goal of becoming a full-time developer.
Tip #3: Build Something, Anything
For beginners, there are many small exercises that will really help you become confident with Python, as well as develop the muscle memory that we spoke about above. Once you have a solid grasp on basic data structures (strings, lists, dictionaries, sets), object-oriented programming, and writing classes, it’s time to start building. What you build is not as important as how you build it. The journey of building is truly what will teach you the most. You can only learn so much from reading Real Python articles and courses. Most of your learning will come from using Python to build something. The problems you will solve will teach you a lot.
Hope this has been helpful Elizabeth
Updated
Nan’s Answer
Engaging in discussions about recent tasks or projects with your colleagues is a wonderful way to learn and grow together. YouTube is a treasure trove of valuable resources, especially if you're seeking information on specific topics or have particular questions. If you encounter any hurdles in your coding journey, chatGPT has recently emerged as an incredibly useful tool to assist you.
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Elizabeth, I appreciate your curiosity about a coding career. I trust the information below will offer valuable insights to assist you.
Embarking on a coding journey is thrilling and fruitful, opening up a myriad of opportunities for growth and progress in the software development realm. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned developer, here are some practical steps to boost your coding prowess:
• Firstly, choose a programming language to concentrate on. Python, JavaScript, and Java are excellent starting points for beginners due to their versatility, user-friendliness, and widespread use in various sectors. Select a language that aligns with your interests and career aspirations, and utilize resources and tutorials specific to your chosen language.
• Utilize online learning platforms and resources to bolster your coding skills. Websites like Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, and Udemy offer interactive tutorials, courses, and projects spanning a broad spectrum of programming languages, frameworks, and technologies. These platforms offer practical learning experiences, enabling you to practice coding in a supportive setting and monitor your progress.
• Enhance your problem-solving capabilities and coding proficiency by tackling coding exercises and challenges. Websites like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeSignal offer a variety of coding challenges and competitions to test your algorithmic thinking, data structures knowledge, and coding abilities. Regular practice can improve your coding speed, accuracy, and efficiency, and prepare you for technical interviews and real-world coding situations.
• Participate in open-source communities and contribute to projects on platforms like GitHub. This allows you to collaborate with seasoned developers, gain practical experience with real-world codebases, and contribute to projects that match your interests and expertise. Start with beginner-friendly projects and gradually tackle more complex contributions as your experience and confidence grow.
• Apply your coding skills by creating your own projects and applications. Choose projects that interest and challenge you, encouraging you to use your coding knowledge to solve real-world problems or create innovative solutions. Start with small projects and gradually tackle larger, more complex applications as you gain confidence and experience. This not only reinforces your coding skills but also allows you to showcase your work to potential employers or collaborators.
• Accelerate your learning by seeking feedback and mentorship from seasoned developers and peers. Join coding communities, forums, and meetups to connect with other developers, ask questions, and share knowledge and experiences. Consider finding a mentor who can offer guidance, advice, and support throughout your coding journey. Mentorship can provide valuable insights, accountability, and motivation to help you overcome challenges and achieve your coding goals.
By adhering to these practical steps and dedicating yourself to continuous learning and practice, you can develop and enhance your coding skills over time. Stay curious, persistent, and proactive in your learning journey, and don't hesitate to seek support and guidance from the dynamic coding community around you. With commitment and resolve, you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled and confident coder.
Embarking on a coding journey is thrilling and fruitful, opening up a myriad of opportunities for growth and progress in the software development realm. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned developer, here are some practical steps to boost your coding prowess:
• Firstly, choose a programming language to concentrate on. Python, JavaScript, and Java are excellent starting points for beginners due to their versatility, user-friendliness, and widespread use in various sectors. Select a language that aligns with your interests and career aspirations, and utilize resources and tutorials specific to your chosen language.
• Utilize online learning platforms and resources to bolster your coding skills. Websites like Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, and Udemy offer interactive tutorials, courses, and projects spanning a broad spectrum of programming languages, frameworks, and technologies. These platforms offer practical learning experiences, enabling you to practice coding in a supportive setting and monitor your progress.
• Enhance your problem-solving capabilities and coding proficiency by tackling coding exercises and challenges. Websites like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeSignal offer a variety of coding challenges and competitions to test your algorithmic thinking, data structures knowledge, and coding abilities. Regular practice can improve your coding speed, accuracy, and efficiency, and prepare you for technical interviews and real-world coding situations.
• Participate in open-source communities and contribute to projects on platforms like GitHub. This allows you to collaborate with seasoned developers, gain practical experience with real-world codebases, and contribute to projects that match your interests and expertise. Start with beginner-friendly projects and gradually tackle more complex contributions as your experience and confidence grow.
• Apply your coding skills by creating your own projects and applications. Choose projects that interest and challenge you, encouraging you to use your coding knowledge to solve real-world problems or create innovative solutions. Start with small projects and gradually tackle larger, more complex applications as you gain confidence and experience. This not only reinforces your coding skills but also allows you to showcase your work to potential employers or collaborators.
• Accelerate your learning by seeking feedback and mentorship from seasoned developers and peers. Join coding communities, forums, and meetups to connect with other developers, ask questions, and share knowledge and experiences. Consider finding a mentor who can offer guidance, advice, and support throughout your coding journey. Mentorship can provide valuable insights, accountability, and motivation to help you overcome challenges and achieve your coding goals.
By adhering to these practical steps and dedicating yourself to continuous learning and practice, you can develop and enhance your coding skills over time. Stay curious, persistent, and proactive in your learning journey, and don't hesitate to seek support and guidance from the dynamic coding community around you. With commitment and resolve, you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled and confident coder.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have interest in coding.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Explore the language syntax and structure. There are plenty of resources online.
2. Start doing some simple programming. Practise makes perfect!
3. Do some small projects, .e.g. Control toy car, robotic arm, etc.
4. After you familiar with one programming, you can learn another one.
5. Find out the entry criteria of computer science courses in colleges. If you want to develop your career as a programmer, I strong recommend you to attend the computer science courses in colleges. You can learn about the computing theories and different coding skills.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Explore the language syntax and structure. There are plenty of resources online.
2. Start doing some simple programming. Practise makes perfect!
3. Do some small projects, .e.g. Control toy car, robotic arm, etc.
4. After you familiar with one programming, you can learn another one.
5. Find out the entry criteria of computer science courses in colleges. If you want to develop your career as a programmer, I strong recommend you to attend the computer science courses in colleges. You can learn about the computing theories and different coding skills.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Updated
Manu’s Answer
You can utilize online platforms such as freeCodeCamp or Codecademy for structured learning paths and tutorials. Practice makes you perfect so practice regularly by working on coding challenges and that can be done on online platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank or Codeforces. These online platforms are free and more often than not, they have competitions going on in which you can win exciting goodies too! Then join coding platforms such as StackOverflow or Github to learn what others are working on and collaborate! Also, while you do all this, you would be able to develop friends/mentors in the community that will help you provide feedback on your code and provide more specific directions for future! All the best!
Updated
YANNELLY’s Answer
Hello Rebecca!
Just as we've talked about before, you can gain knowledge through books, online classes, and by becoming a part of various communities. When you feel prepared enough, you might want to try a website that offers competitions. These platforms often have beginner-friendly scenarios that aren't part of the competition, as well as datasets from previous contests that you can experiment with. I personally began my journey with kaggle.com. I discovered that it's an excellent platform to practice real-world scenarios. Plus, the community there is super supportive and can help you brainstorm different solutions.
Just as we've talked about before, you can gain knowledge through books, online classes, and by becoming a part of various communities. When you feel prepared enough, you might want to try a website that offers competitions. These platforms often have beginner-friendly scenarios that aren't part of the competition, as well as datasets from previous contests that you can experiment with. I personally began my journey with kaggle.com. I discovered that it's an excellent platform to practice real-world scenarios. Plus, the community there is super supportive and can help you brainstorm different solutions.
Updated
Trent’s Answer
Hi,
I would recommend coding challenge websites like codesignal.com, info.codingdojo.com, https://www.hackerrank.com/, and https://www.kaggle.com/. In addition to these, YouTube is a great resource for learning about new tools and technologies.
I would recommend coding challenge websites like codesignal.com, info.codingdojo.com, https://www.hackerrank.com/, and https://www.kaggle.com/. In addition to these, YouTube is a great resource for learning about new tools and technologies.
Updated
Guvanch’s Answer
1) Engage in studies
2) Absorb knowledge
3) Consistently practice wherever possible
2) Absorb knowledge
3) Consistently practice wherever possible
Updated
Robin’s Answer
Hi Elizabeth,
Thats a great question. One perspective in improving coding is improving problem solving using coding. There are wonderful answers here but I thought I ought to mention something that has helped me learn good problem solving patterns as well as programming languages.
Pick A Problem: Think about a small problem you experience and break it down into tiny goals that you can solve consistently. Making tiny goals helps you under different parts of the problem. It also helps you feel accomplished consistently as opposed to trying to solve the whole problem all at once. As someone who struggles trying to solve big ideas without tiny goals, I have am learning the advantage of small consistent steps instead of large overwhelming steps. Making tiny steps also helps you understand a huge part of Software Engineering that will prepare you for many software jobs where projects span multiple months, multiple languages, and multiple teams. Tiny goals make things simpler to understand, solve and even collaborate. Tiny goals also help you isolate functionality so that it is easier to understand what each part of your code is doing and also easier to find bugs WHEN they occur. Starting with an overall small problem helps you build confidence gradually and exposes you to the basics of problem solving at a small scale.
Find a Tool: Once you have tiny goals, find tools to solve them. Sometimes the tools are already existing. Sometimes the tool, is a very skilled human who has completed the goal before. And importantly, pick a language. Research on whether your problem has been solved before. Ask about it in forums. Find out if there is any kind of programming pattern or math that helps with the problem.
Start Solving: This is sometimes the hardest part. But with those tiny goals, you just have to conquer a tiny little goal. Before you know it, you have gotten through a lot of tiny goals and the problem is almost solved.
Accounting for Frustration: Sometimes, there are bugs you may not understand. Sometimes learning a new language is annoying and confusing. Remember to have grace on yourself. It is frustrating because you are growing. Try not to be mad at yourself for finding out you don't know how something works. You are currently learning how it works and that means that you don't know how to do it well. But consistently struggling with the unknown gets comfortable; well, you get comfortable with being a little uncomfortable.
Consistency: Programming is like using a language to communicate to a computer that makes magic happen. Thinking of it as a language is helpful because it diminishes how technical it can sound. Learning a language really works best with consistency of using the words and understanding the grammar. Spending time with people who speak the language helps. Speaking the language frequently helps. After a while, you start to figure out how to express yourself better to -- I guess computers in this case. I also hope to dissuade you from expecting perfection or full comprehension of a language. Practice is said to make perfect, but I like to think of it as making improvement. Just as it is important to have tiny goals instead of lofty large ones, it is important to aim to improve rather than to be perfect. The path to perfection is pretty frustrating, and maybe the destination is impossible to reach (at least I have never gotten there). But tiny improvements, are much easier to achieve and get you closer to perfection.
Thats a great question. One perspective in improving coding is improving problem solving using coding. There are wonderful answers here but I thought I ought to mention something that has helped me learn good problem solving patterns as well as programming languages.
Pick A Problem: Think about a small problem you experience and break it down into tiny goals that you can solve consistently. Making tiny goals helps you under different parts of the problem. It also helps you feel accomplished consistently as opposed to trying to solve the whole problem all at once. As someone who struggles trying to solve big ideas without tiny goals, I have am learning the advantage of small consistent steps instead of large overwhelming steps. Making tiny steps also helps you understand a huge part of Software Engineering that will prepare you for many software jobs where projects span multiple months, multiple languages, and multiple teams. Tiny goals make things simpler to understand, solve and even collaborate. Tiny goals also help you isolate functionality so that it is easier to understand what each part of your code is doing and also easier to find bugs WHEN they occur. Starting with an overall small problem helps you build confidence gradually and exposes you to the basics of problem solving at a small scale.
Find a Tool: Once you have tiny goals, find tools to solve them. Sometimes the tools are already existing. Sometimes the tool, is a very skilled human who has completed the goal before. And importantly, pick a language. Research on whether your problem has been solved before. Ask about it in forums. Find out if there is any kind of programming pattern or math that helps with the problem.
Start Solving: This is sometimes the hardest part. But with those tiny goals, you just have to conquer a tiny little goal. Before you know it, you have gotten through a lot of tiny goals and the problem is almost solved.
Accounting for Frustration: Sometimes, there are bugs you may not understand. Sometimes learning a new language is annoying and confusing. Remember to have grace on yourself. It is frustrating because you are growing. Try not to be mad at yourself for finding out you don't know how something works. You are currently learning how it works and that means that you don't know how to do it well. But consistently struggling with the unknown gets comfortable; well, you get comfortable with being a little uncomfortable.
Consistency: Programming is like using a language to communicate to a computer that makes magic happen. Thinking of it as a language is helpful because it diminishes how technical it can sound. Learning a language really works best with consistency of using the words and understanding the grammar. Spending time with people who speak the language helps. Speaking the language frequently helps. After a while, you start to figure out how to express yourself better to -- I guess computers in this case. I also hope to dissuade you from expecting perfection or full comprehension of a language. Practice is said to make perfect, but I like to think of it as making improvement. Just as it is important to have tiny goals instead of lofty large ones, it is important to aim to improve rather than to be perfect. The path to perfection is pretty frustrating, and maybe the destination is impossible to reach (at least I have never gotten there). But tiny improvements, are much easier to achieve and get you closer to perfection.
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Linkedin, Youtube is a good start. I believe that Khan Academy has some development classes that are free.
If you are looking to develop apps, MIT App Inventor has also resources available to you https://appinventor.mit.edu/
If you are looking to develop apps, MIT App Inventor has also resources available to you https://appinventor.mit.edu/
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6193
Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Elizabeth,
Developing Coding Skills
To develop your skills in coding, there are several steps you can take to enhance your proficiency and knowledge in programming languages such as Java and Python.
1. Choose a Programming Language
Firstly, it’s important to choose a programming language to focus on. Since you mentioned Java and Python, these are both popular languages with diverse applications. Java is commonly used for building enterprise-scale web applications, while Python is known for its simplicity and versatility, often used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing.
2. Online Courses and Tutorials
There are numerous online platforms offering courses and tutorials for learning coding languages. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and Codecademy provide comprehensive courses on Java and Python. These platforms offer structured learning paths, interactive exercises, and projects to help you practice and apply your skills.
3. Practice Regularly
Consistent practice is crucial for improving coding skills. Engage in coding challenges on websites like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal. These platforms offer a variety of problems that cover different aspects of programming, helping you enhance your problem-solving abilities and understanding of algorithms.
4. Contribute to Open Source Projects
Contributing to open source projects on platforms like GitHub can provide valuable hands-on experience. By collaborating with other developers on real-world projects, you can gain insights into industry best practices, code review processes, and version control systems.
5. Build Personal Projects
Undertaking personal projects is an effective way to apply your coding skills in practical scenarios. Whether it’s creating a web application, developing a small game, or automating tasks with scripts, personal projects allow you to experiment with different aspects of coding and showcase your abilities.
6. Join Coding Communities
Participating in coding communities such as Stack Overflow, Reddit’s r/learnprogramming, or local meetups can be beneficial for learning from others’ experiences, seeking advice on challenging problems, and staying updated with the latest trends in the programming world.
7. Read Books and Documentation
In addition to online resources, reading books related to Java and Python can provide in-depth knowledge of the languages’ features and best practices. Similarly, referring to official documentation for Java (Oracle) and Python (Python.org) can offer detailed insights into language specifications and usage.
8. Seek Feedback
Seeking feedback on your code from experienced developers or mentors can help you identify areas for improvement and learn alternative approaches to problem-solving.
By following these steps and maintaining a consistent learning routine, you can effectively develop your skills in coding and become proficient in languages like Java and Python.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. Coursera Coursera is a leading online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses from top universities and educational institutions. It provides high-quality content on programming languages such as Java and Python through structured courses taught by industry experts.
2. GitHub GitHub is a widely used platform for hosting open source projects and collaborative development. It provides opportunities for developers to contribute to real-world projects, gain practical experience, and learn from the codebase of established software.
3. Stack Overflow Stack Overflow is a popular community-driven question-and-answer website for programmers. It serves as a valuable resource for seeking advice on coding challenges, sharing knowledge with peers, and staying updated with industry best practices.
https://www.pdfdrive.com/ is a good site to start with if you are seeking reliable free sites to search for E-books, say on C++ or Python languages.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Developing Coding Skills
To develop your skills in coding, there are several steps you can take to enhance your proficiency and knowledge in programming languages such as Java and Python.
1. Choose a Programming Language
Firstly, it’s important to choose a programming language to focus on. Since you mentioned Java and Python, these are both popular languages with diverse applications. Java is commonly used for building enterprise-scale web applications, while Python is known for its simplicity and versatility, often used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing.
2. Online Courses and Tutorials
There are numerous online platforms offering courses and tutorials for learning coding languages. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and Codecademy provide comprehensive courses on Java and Python. These platforms offer structured learning paths, interactive exercises, and projects to help you practice and apply your skills.
3. Practice Regularly
Consistent practice is crucial for improving coding skills. Engage in coding challenges on websites like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal. These platforms offer a variety of problems that cover different aspects of programming, helping you enhance your problem-solving abilities and understanding of algorithms.
4. Contribute to Open Source Projects
Contributing to open source projects on platforms like GitHub can provide valuable hands-on experience. By collaborating with other developers on real-world projects, you can gain insights into industry best practices, code review processes, and version control systems.
5. Build Personal Projects
Undertaking personal projects is an effective way to apply your coding skills in practical scenarios. Whether it’s creating a web application, developing a small game, or automating tasks with scripts, personal projects allow you to experiment with different aspects of coding and showcase your abilities.
6. Join Coding Communities
Participating in coding communities such as Stack Overflow, Reddit’s r/learnprogramming, or local meetups can be beneficial for learning from others’ experiences, seeking advice on challenging problems, and staying updated with the latest trends in the programming world.
7. Read Books and Documentation
In addition to online resources, reading books related to Java and Python can provide in-depth knowledge of the languages’ features and best practices. Similarly, referring to official documentation for Java (Oracle) and Python (Python.org) can offer detailed insights into language specifications and usage.
8. Seek Feedback
Seeking feedback on your code from experienced developers or mentors can help you identify areas for improvement and learn alternative approaches to problem-solving.
By following these steps and maintaining a consistent learning routine, you can effectively develop your skills in coding and become proficient in languages like Java and Python.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. Coursera Coursera is a leading online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses from top universities and educational institutions. It provides high-quality content on programming languages such as Java and Python through structured courses taught by industry experts.
2. GitHub GitHub is a widely used platform for hosting open source projects and collaborative development. It provides opportunities for developers to contribute to real-world projects, gain practical experience, and learn from the codebase of established software.
3. Stack Overflow Stack Overflow is a popular community-driven question-and-answer website for programmers. It serves as a valuable resource for seeking advice on coding challenges, sharing knowledge with peers, and staying updated with industry best practices.
https://www.pdfdrive.com/ is a good site to start with if you are seeking reliable free sites to search for E-books, say on C++ or Python languages.
GOD BLESS!
James.