Beginner guide to learn programming
Do you know in today's digital age, programming has become a fundamental skill? Everyone should learn programming as it opens doors to countless opportunities.
Whether you're interested in pursuing a career in technology or simply want to improve your problem-solving skills, understanding how to program can help you achieve your goals.
The good news is that learning to code is easier than ever before, and you don't need to be a computer science major to get started. You can learn online, there are many websites to learn programming or coding. In this blog, we will explore 7 steps to learn programming for beginners.
Programming is an art that drives machines and humans. It is the power through which we can order machines to do our work. The one who controls everything in today’s world is a programmer.
We just need to be creative and use our brains wisely to become good programmers. Programming doesn’t mean coding only, there are lots of things you need to know to become a good programmer.
In today’s world, everything is controlled by a program and a program is a part of programming. To know more about programming you can go here.
Here are a few steps you can follow if you want to learn programming.
1. Be clear about why you want to learn programming
Before diving into programming, you first need to be clear about why you want to learn programming. This is the crucial first step in your goal to become a programmer. It will help you stay motivated and focused as you progress through the learning process.
Understanding your goals will also help you choose the right resources and learning paths that align with your aspirations. Firstly, ask questions to yourself like Am I interested? Am I passionate? Does age matter? etc. Don’t lie to yourself.
Be clear about why you want to learn programming.
There are many reasons why someone might want to learn programming. Some may be interested in pursuing a career in technology, while others may want to improve their problem-solving skills or create their own websites or apps.
Someone might just want to learn to do some tricks to show their friends or they might hear someone saying programmers are paid higher or to just understand programming jokes.
Whatever your reasons, it's important to be specific and clear about what you want to achieve by learning programming.
After you are clear about your goals, you'll be able to choose the right resources and learning paths that align with your aspirations. Then move to the second step otherwise please end here.
2. Start training your mind to think logically
Programming is just about logic. It teaches you to think logically and solve problems. A programmer must know how to apply logic to sequence code.
One of the most important skills for learning programming is the ability to think logically. Programming is all about breaking down problems and finding solutions through a logical and systematic approach.
Let’s take an example: if you want to multiply two numbers let’s say 2 and 3. Now, what should you do? Start to think and find the logic to solve the problem.
You can do it by adding 2 three-time(2+2+2=6) or by adding 3 two times(3+3=6). It is the logic beyond multiplication. So, train your mind to think logically.
You need to train your mind to think logically and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills are necessary for understanding and writing code. Additionally, reading about algorithms and data structures can be a good way to train your mind to think in a logical way.
As you progress through your programming journey, you'll find that being able to think logically will become increasingly important and will help you understand and solve complex problems.
3. Choose the language
A vital third step in learning to program is selecting a programming language. The programming language you choose will determine the types of projects you can work on, the resources available to you, and the career opportunities available to you.
You need to choose a programming language to move forward. There are numerous programming languages such as java, javascript, python, C, C++, etc. Each of these languages has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it's important to choose a language that aligns with your goals and interests.
For beginners, I highly recommend starting with C or C++. These languages are considered to be foundational languages and are widely used in many different areas of computer science.
You will get a strong base in computer fundamentals, such as memory management and data structures, by learning C or C++. This basis will be helpful when you move on to learning other languages.
4. Learning syntax and other important concepts (variables, datatype loop, condition, etc)
Then you need to learn some key concepts of programming language like variables, constants, DSA, and many more. Almost some concepts are similar in every programming language.
Learning the syntax and other important concepts of programming is crucial for any aspiring developer. Syntax refers to the set of rules that govern the structure of a programming language, such as how to write statements and expressions, and how to use variables, datatypes, loops, and conditions.
Although every programming language has a unique syntax, the fundamental ideas of programming are basically the same no matter what language you use.
Let’s see examples to print an output C vs C++.
C language
printf(“Hello using C”)
C++ language
count<<” Hello using C ++”
Look the syntax is different but the output is the same. Both use the function to print the output. Logic is the same only difference is the syntax. Variables, data types, loops, and conditions are fundamental building blocks that are present in nearly every programming language.
You first need to understand the concept of variables, data types, loops, conditions, etc. Almost every programming language implements these concepts only difference is the syntax that each language uses to implement it.
5. Data structure and algorithm
These are the two important concepts for learning programming.
An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure, which defines a set of instructions to be executed in a certain order to get the desired output. To make it more clear let’s take the above example of multiplying two numbers.
Now, let's use programming concepts to do it. First, you need to define two variables to store two values and again define another variable to store the result and then display it.
Now let’s solve it using an algorithm.
Step 1: Start
Step 2: Declare variables num1, num2, and product.
Step 3: Read values for num1, num2.
Step 4: Multiply num1 and num2 and assign the result to a variable product.
Step 5: Display product
Step 6: Stop
Now you need to implement the above step to create a simple program. Look how algorithms make it simple.
Let’s do using C language
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int num1, num2, product; //Step 2 of algorithm
printf("Enter two integers: "); //Ask value from user
scanf("%d %d", &number1, &number2); // Step 3 of algorithm // calculating Product
product = num1 + num2; //Step 4 of algorithm
printf("Product=%d",product); //Step 5 of algorithm
return 0;
}
A data structure is a particular way of organizing data in a computer so that it can be used effectively. It helps to develop your thinking in terms of code.
The most crucial idea that any programmer should understand is data structures. Even a basic program will struggle to manage huge amounts of data if it lacks data structures.
Now, let's use programming concepts to do it. First, you need to define two variables to store two values and again define another variable to store the result and then display it.
Assume you write a program to find your contact number. A majority of self-taught programmers skip the fundamentals of Computer Science. They jump directly to the development process and the most in-demand skill in the industry.
Most of them use the concept of the loop to retrieve the data. This concept will work but it can only handle tiny amounts of data, such as 100 or 1000 records, but it can’t handle millions or billions of records at once.
And if data are stored on a hard disk drive then you gonna take hours and hours to retrieve a single piece of data. So, it's not a good idea.
The most popular technologies can change overnight, but the fundamentals like Data Structures and Algorithms stay. So, it's necessary to learn data structure if you want your program to handle larger data. Algorithms are important to implement data structure more accurately and get the desired result.
6. Develop small projects
After following the above step now you are qualified to develop your own project. It's time to test your knowledge. Start with a small and simple project.
Making some projects is the best way to check your coding and problem-solving skills. You can work on a project to develop a simple calculator or your to-do list. It will help you to gain experience.
You will come to know about various real-time problems. I assure you that you will definitely learn a lot of new things while developing your own projects.
7. Participate in competitive programming platforms
Competitive Programming is a mental sport usually held over the Internet where many participants from all over the world try to program according to provided specifications.
Some websites to involve in competitive coding are HackerRank, Codeforces, Codechef, TopCoder, etc. Involving in such platforms will help you to enhance your skill.
You will find many complex problems there. While solving those problems, you will develop the ability to think logically.
Now, I think you are ready to be deployed in the market of programming. You can now sell your skill and can earn a handsome income. I hope these steps were helpful for you to learn programming.
If you want to know how to learn coding online for free, then you can read my next post.
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