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What is the best route to becoming a computer programmer.?
I want to become a computer programmer and coder. I am interested in tech and feel kike pursuing something in this field will help me the most on my journey
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8 answers
Updated
Adit’s Answer
Here's an uplifting version of your guide to becoming a computer programmer:
Start with the Basics: Embark on your journey with user-friendly languages such as Python or JavaScript. These are perfect for establishing your core skills.
Engage in Courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, or freeCodeCamp offer structured learning experiences that will deepen your understanding of programming concepts.
Dive into Projects: Bring your skills to life by creating simple websites, apps, or games. This not only applies your learning but also helps you build a robust portfolio.
Discover Specialized Languages: Tailor your learning to your interests. Explore Java or C++ for software development, or SQL for data science.
Practice Regularly: Hone your problem-solving skills by tackling coding challenges on sites like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Following this path will solidify your programming skills, preparing you to shine in the job market.
Start with the Basics: Embark on your journey with user-friendly languages such as Python or JavaScript. These are perfect for establishing your core skills.
Engage in Courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, or freeCodeCamp offer structured learning experiences that will deepen your understanding of programming concepts.
Dive into Projects: Bring your skills to life by creating simple websites, apps, or games. This not only applies your learning but also helps you build a robust portfolio.
Discover Specialized Languages: Tailor your learning to your interests. Explore Java or C++ for software development, or SQL for data science.
Practice Regularly: Hone your problem-solving skills by tackling coding challenges on sites like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Following this path will solidify your programming skills, preparing you to shine in the job market.
Updated
Aman’s Answer
Hi Christian Beverly,
Great to hear that you're interested in becoming a computer programmer! The journey can be incredibly rewarding, and there are several paths you can take to get there. First, I’d suggest starting with some basic coding skills. Websites like Codecademy and freeCodeCamp offer free resources that can guide you through the fundamentals of programming. These platforms allow you to learn languages like Python or JavaScript, which are both beginner-friendly and widely used in the industry.
Once you have a good grasp on the basics, consider enrolling in a structured course or boot camp. For instance, General Assembly has amazing part-time and full-time coding boot camps that are intensive and often yield great results. Alternatively, if you prefer a more traditional route, a degree in computer science or software engineering can provide you with in-depth knowledge and valuable connections in the tech industry.
Engaging with the programming community is also crucial. Join forums, attend local meetups in South Carolina, or even participate in hackathons—you’ll learn a lot from more experienced programmers and make invaluable connections. Platforms like GitHub can also help you showcase your projects and collaborate with others. Don’t forget to practice by working on personal projects or contributing to open-source projects as well, as this hands-on experience is what employers typically look for.
Lastly, remember that learning to code is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your curiosity alive, stay resilient, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. Good luck with your journey; you’ve got this!
Great to hear that you're interested in becoming a computer programmer! The journey can be incredibly rewarding, and there are several paths you can take to get there. First, I’d suggest starting with some basic coding skills. Websites like Codecademy and freeCodeCamp offer free resources that can guide you through the fundamentals of programming. These platforms allow you to learn languages like Python or JavaScript, which are both beginner-friendly and widely used in the industry.
Once you have a good grasp on the basics, consider enrolling in a structured course or boot camp. For instance, General Assembly has amazing part-time and full-time coding boot camps that are intensive and often yield great results. Alternatively, if you prefer a more traditional route, a degree in computer science or software engineering can provide you with in-depth knowledge and valuable connections in the tech industry.
Engaging with the programming community is also crucial. Join forums, attend local meetups in South Carolina, or even participate in hackathons—you’ll learn a lot from more experienced programmers and make invaluable connections. Platforms like GitHub can also help you showcase your projects and collaborate with others. Don’t forget to practice by working on personal projects or contributing to open-source projects as well, as this hands-on experience is what employers typically look for.
Lastly, remember that learning to code is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your curiosity alive, stay resilient, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. Good luck with your journey; you’ve got this!
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
David
Updated
Biju’s Answer
- Start with learning fundamental programming languages like Python or Java, as they are beginner-friendly and widely used.
- Getting a computer science or related degree can provide a strong foundation in algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving skills, but many successful programmers are self-taught through online courses and tutorials.
- Practice is key, so building small projects, participating in coding challenges, or contributing to open-source projects helps reinforce learning.
- As you advance, learning specialized areas like web development, mobile app development, or software engineering broadens your expertise.
- Try to network through tech communities, attend coding bootcamps etc. can open doors to practical experience and job opportunities in the field.
- Getting a computer science or related degree can provide a strong foundation in algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving skills, but many successful programmers are self-taught through online courses and tutorials.
- Practice is key, so building small projects, participating in coding challenges, or contributing to open-source projects helps reinforce learning.
- As you advance, learning specialized areas like web development, mobile app development, or software engineering broadens your expertise.
- Try to network through tech communities, attend coding bootcamps etc. can open doors to practical experience and job opportunities in the field.
Updated
Wojciech’s Answer
Hi, to become a computer programmer, start by learning a beginner-friendly programming language like Python, which is widely used and has straightforward syntax. Focus on foundational programming concepts like variables, loops, functions, and data structures, as these are the building blocks of coding. Practice regularly by working on small projects, like creating a calculator or a to-do list app, which will help you solidify your skills and gain confidence. Once comfortable, explore other languages such as JavaScript for web development or Java for general-purpose programming. Consider formal learning through online courses, coding bootcamps, or a degree in computer science, depending on your learning style and career goals. Joining programming communities or contributing to open-source projects can also provide real-world experience and networking opportunities. Finally, build a portfolio to showcase your projects and code, as this will be essential for landing a job in the tech field.
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Explore websites like Udemy and Coursera to find free or inexpensive courses that pique your interest. Start with classes that provide a basic understanding, then move on to more specific introductory coding courses to build your skills.
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Christian Beverly
Updated
Jocelyn’s Answer
My suggestion will be to first of all, start studying the college degree in software engineering, before completing your career start connecting with IT companies that offer a large number of opportunities or internship programs that will help you to train for the real-world scenarios for you to face as a coder. This is highly demanded for IT companies, and you'll learn a lot from this internship programs.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Christian Beverly
Updated
Dat’s Answer
To become a computer programmer, here’s an effective route to follow:
Learn the Basics: Start with foundational programming languages like Python or JavaScript, as they're beginner-friendly and widely used.
Get Formal Education or Self-Learn: A degree in computer science can be beneficial, but many programmers succeed with self-taught skills or boot camps, which offer structured learning in less time.
Practice Coding Regularly: Build small projects, practice on coding platforms (e.g., LeetCode, HackerRank), and contribute to open-source projects to sharpen your skills.
Choose a Specialization: Based on your interests, you might focus on web development, mobile app development, software engineering, or data science.
Build a Portfolio: Showcase your projects on GitHub or a personal website to demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Stay Updated and Keep Learning: Tech evolves rapidly, so continuous learning is essential. Try new languages, frameworks, and tools to broaden your expertise.
By following this path, you’ll develop both the technical skills and practical experience needed to succeed as a computer programmer.
Learn the Basics: Start with foundational programming languages like Python or JavaScript, as they're beginner-friendly and widely used.
Get Formal Education or Self-Learn: A degree in computer science can be beneficial, but many programmers succeed with self-taught skills or boot camps, which offer structured learning in less time.
Practice Coding Regularly: Build small projects, practice on coding platforms (e.g., LeetCode, HackerRank), and contribute to open-source projects to sharpen your skills.
Choose a Specialization: Based on your interests, you might focus on web development, mobile app development, software engineering, or data science.
Build a Portfolio: Showcase your projects on GitHub or a personal website to demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Stay Updated and Keep Learning: Tech evolves rapidly, so continuous learning is essential. Try new languages, frameworks, and tools to broaden your expertise.
By following this path, you’ll develop both the technical skills and practical experience needed to succeed as a computer programmer.
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
David
Updated
Anthany’s Answer
I think there's many paths into this field so I'll give a way that worked for me. Starting off, look online for some tutorials on coding; there's a lot of sources that will offer that for you. Then take classes and a major that are in the field such as Computer Science, Digital Media, etc. Then one of the biggest things you can do is do an internship with a company or multiple companies until you find one that you like! Then when you're done, your chances of getting hired at that company are much higher!