How to Learn Programming

Contents:

• Where to get a base
• How to choose your first language
• When to start coding
• Should you learn from books?
• How to build a portfolio
• Find a mentor

Kira 2pizza

About the expert

The expert has deep knowledge and extensive experience in his field, which allows him to provide high-quality solutions and recommendations. His professional activity covers numerous aspects, including the analysis of current trends, strategy development and implementation of innovative approaches. A high level of competence and a commitment to continuous learning make him a valuable resource for clients and colleagues. The expert actively shares his knowledge through publications, webinars, and events, contributing to the development of the industry and raising the level of professionalism among specialists.

Lead Software Engineer and author of the Telegram channel "Tupitsa Myortv" (The Dead Dumbass). My main interests include IT, programming, software development, literature, and video games. My experience covers a wide range of technologies and development methods, which allows me to create effective solutions in the field of information technology.

Programming permeates all spheres of life. Currently, there is no industry that does not use software solutions. Automation has even affected agriculture, including the operation of combine harvesters, as well as complex medical research. Programming is becoming an integral part of modern technology and innovation, helping to optimize processes and increase efficiency in various fields.

Programming has become one of the most in-demand professions, and beginners are willing to invest significant funds in training from various specialists and companies promising to teach them coding and high salaries. This is a positive trend. Despite criticism that courses last only a few months and sometimes produce underqualified professionals, mastering programming doesn't require five years of university study. Effective short-term programs exist that can quickly provide the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful start in the IT industry.

Where to get a database

A computer is a complex device, but its operation is based on a few basic principles. Having mastered these principles, you will be able to understand what is happening in the code much more easily. To obtain the necessary knowledge base, the free CS50 course from Harvard University is an excellent choice. It is available in several languages, including Russian, making it accessible to a wide audience. We recommend starting with this course for an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of computer science.

If after completing the CS50 course you still have an interest and desire to continue programming, you should consider JavaScript. You don't need to know it perfectly or memorize all the operators and syntax rules. The most important thing is to master the basic concepts: understanding how to run a JavaScript program, what data types exist, and how to create conditions and loops. This knowledge will provide an excellent foundation for further language learning and will help you confidently move forward in programming.

How to Choose Your First Language

There are many programming languages, each with its own characteristics and advantages. You can often find active supporters of various languages ​​online who claim that their choice is the best. However, you shouldn't take their opinions as the truth. In fact, any language can be suitable depending on specific tasks and goals. If you have a friend who is a programmer, it is wise to choose the language they work in, as this will facilitate the learning process and allow you to quickly understand the peculiarities of programming.

If you don't know which programming language to start with, JavaScript is the optimal choice. This language is the most popular in the world and allows you to create a variety of applications, including games. In addition, you will find many learning resources, both paid and free, which makes the learning process easier. JavaScript is widely used in web development, making it a valuable skill in the job market. JavaScript is a universal programming language that runs in any modern browser. Getting started doesn't require many tools, and you can see results very quickly. We recommend checking out TypeScript, which is a superset of JavaScript and offers improved features. It's an excellent choice for those looking to write more structured and secure code. To get started learning JavaScript and TypeScript, check out the following resources:

• learn.javascript.ru;
• typescriptlang.org/docs/handbook.

If you started learning JavaScript, this does not mean that your path is limited to front-end and website development. Having mastered one programming language at a high level, you can easily move on to other languages, since the syntax and features of a particular language make up only a small part of programming. It is important to understand that the skills gained by learning JavaScript can be applied to other areas of development, such as the server-side, mobile applications, or even working with databases. Thus, learning JavaScript opens up many opportunities for you in the world of programming.

When to start coding

To write your first code, you need to master the basic concepts of programming. The question arises: what exactly should you write? The answer is simple: solve simple problems. At first, this may seem difficult, but this approach will significantly improve your skills and help you become a good programmer. There are many resources with a variety of programming challenges. Here are three of the most popular sites where you can find interesting challenges for practice.

• leetcode.com;
• hackerrank.com;
• www.codewars.com.

Choose challenges that interest you and start solving them yourself, even if your approach is not optimal. If you encounter difficulties, use search engines to find solutions. Retype the solutions you find, analyze each line of code and figure out its purpose. With practice, by the twentieth or thirtieth challenge, you will notice a significant improvement in your understanding and skills.

Is it worth learning from books?

You should not start learning programming with books, as they can slow down the learning process. Russian translations often contain inaccuracies, which can lead to misunderstandings. It is recommended to refer to official documentation and look for answers to questions that arise. Reading books will be useful after you have acquired basic knowledge, as they will help you structure the information. One of the best resources for obtaining up-to-date information on web development is MDN (Mozilla Developer Network).

If you have difficulty understanding English texts, documentation, or Stack Overflow answers, it is strongly recommended to improve your English skills simultaneously with learning programming. The minimum level required for a programmer includes the ability to adequately read and write in English. Without this skill, successful work in programming becomes difficult. Improving your English will help you not only in solving current problems, but also in the future career development in IT.

How to Build a Portfolio

Once you feel confident in solving problems, start thinking about creating a portfolio. There are several approaches to creating it.

Start by completing simple tasks for yourself, friends, and neighbors. Automate processes and create bots for Telegram. Be sure to create a GitHub account to store your code. Knowledge of Git is an essential skill and a required standard for developers. We recommend learning Git on the official website, where you'll find useful resources: https://git-scm.com/book/ru/v2. This will help you not only organize your code but also improve your professional skills.

Participating in open source development is an excellent way to improve your skills and increase your value in the job market. However, it's worth noting that it requires some preparation and effort. Most projects have strict requirements for participation, and newcomers may not be accepted immediately. However, if your changes or patches are contributed to a popular repository or framework, this will significantly enhance your reputation among employers and colleagues, and open up new career opportunities.

You can start exploring open source projects with a repository that contains well-known developments by Russian-speaking programmers. Beginners are advised to choose smaller projects for a more convenient learning curve. I recommend paying attention to the work of open source authors such as Nikita Prokopov and Andrey Sitnik. The best option is to contribute corrections to the tools you use in your work. Not only will this help you better understand code, but it will also make a positive contribution to the community.

Find a Mentor

Sometimes it can be difficult to muster the strength to take action. We can all feel lazy, and in such situations, the help of a mentor can be very useful. However, this doesn't mean you need to take out large loans and spend significant amounts of money. There is a more affordable option. On the getmentor.dev platform, you can find people willing to provide support to others. Often, they provide their services for free or for a nominal fee, making the process of learning and development more accessible to everyone.

Programming is a continuous learning process that continues throughout life. If you are ready for this challenge, I wish you success in mastering new technologies and skills!