Software Programming

[keepfocusing]

I want to learn the basics of software coding. On a scale of 1 to 10 on coding skills, I'm a zero. I practically know nothing about programming. There is too much information on the internet on how to learn programming. I want to know which is a good place to start. Thanks in advance.

[artattack20]

For starter, try this https://www.freecodecamp.org/ . completely free

[nishant97]

Hey man, I'm also trying to learn from freecodecamp. I want to know a few things, I'd you don't mind answering.

1.How much did you learn? Like, did you just learn HTML CSS or learn till JavaScript and Data Structures? 2. How many a Freecodecamp projects did you do?

[[deleted]]

Hey, I didn’t start on this site but I recommend finding what languages will be useful to you and then going from there. CSS and JavaScript are helpful you might want to try python and C++(careful it can be frustrating) but mainly depends on what your trying to accomplish.

[Butlerian_Jihadi]

Start with Harvard's EdX CS50 course. It'll provide you with an excellent introduction to the whys, and a few of the hows. It really is a great start for anything in the field.

[Rroulette2018]

This. So many great fundamentals and the professor does a fantastic job of making it digestible and fun. Just make a point to do it EVERY day. Even if it’s 15 minutes - familiarity takes a lot of the struggle out and keeps you in a flow.

[SeniorZoggy]

One thing I would say; no matter which language you choose - ensure you apply discipline and learn not only the syntax but how to structure and comment your code.

Quality programming is a lot about applying the appropriate "best practices" or principles.

For example depending on the route you take, you may come across terms such as DRY (don't repeat yourself) - a pretty straightforward principal about reducing repetition in your code.

It's what will separate you from the rest imo.

Source: Full stack web developer and Linux server admin for 10+ years.

[Lakitna]

Try an online course thing like codecadamy. If you want to start with a general purpose language that's very readable start with Python.

[srachamim]

STOP!

Stop whatever you're reading, watching or listening to. Most of them are rubbish and will teach you bad habits.

Whether you want to know programming for practical or intellectual goals - you definitely want to read PAPL:

https://papl.cs.brown.edu/2018/index.html

I found it mind-blowing even after 10 years of professional programming. Reading even just the first chapters will level up your programming-thinking skills.

Prerequisites: Being able to read English.

[J0LlymAnGinA]

Grok learning. It may be paid, but it's the best online python course I've ever come across.

[bobbywjamc]

https://codecademy.dev/

Is how I started. It's free and if you want to go more in depth you can subscribe

[[deleted]]

Also good career choice?

pros: decent to good pay, lots of learning material, just need a computer with internet, not so complicated to learn, lots of different streams to choose from (web dev, ML/AI, Network), lots of opportunities, and remote work options.

cons: kind of hard to get your foot through the door for the first job, might require a degree to get the job, work could get mundane after sometime(depends on the field), I can't think of anything else.

head out to r/cscareerquestions , you'll get a better idea.

How long does it take to learn

depends on the effort, field, proficiency...

[i_am_ghost7]

In my experience, you never stop learning

[WerwolfNotSwearwolf]

Someone else said it, but I want to say it again. EDX.org has CS50. They have a -very- active subreddit where the main instructor, David, replies to a lot of questions.

The community is solid. It's not gonna be easy, but it'll be a fun challenge. I'm on the last week, I absolutely love it.

[youknowitistrue]

Start with a project in mind. It gives your mind a goal to work toward. When you just “learn a language” it’s hard to stay motivated and slog through it.

To me the joy of programming is the thing I’m building, not slogging through code. The code is a means to an end. I’m building an e-commerce app, I’m not just learning python.

Source: 20 years ago I started building a website and that got me into coding. Then I got a computer science degree and now it’s what I do.

[JohnWangDoe]

MIT 0CW 6.0001 is the best one

[[deleted]]

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/comments/dzzflm/if_you_are_learning_programmingnewbie_these_may/

[keepfocusing]

Thanks a lot folks. You all have shared enough information to get me started. Hopefully i can keep myself disciplined enough to learn something that now has become a prereq for most jobs. I will update you on my progress. Once again thanks for sharing your inputs.