If you’ve never coded before, learning how to do so might seem like a daunting prospect. Despite how challenging it can be to learn, the skills you pick up as you study and perform coding could help you land a creative and well-paying job in a wide range of different industries.
When it comes to learning how to code, constant practice is essential if you want to become fluent in coding with one or more programming languages. Whether you teach yourself or take a program to learn coding, make sure that you break everything up into much smaller milestones that are positioned on a clear roadmap.
Once a roadmap has been created, it should be simpler for you to get started with coding and remain on a structured path as you become more proficient and fluent. Keep in mind that there are more than 700 different computer programming and coding languages out there. However, you only need to know a small number of these languages to be proficient.
The exact amount of time it takes you to learn how to code depends on the type of coding you’re performing and the programming language you’re using. The simplest languages are ones like Python and JavaScript. If you’d like to learn a more complex language, C and C++ take a considerable amount of time to learn. In this guide, you’ll find out how long it takes to learn coding and what the best educational tools are for further training.
Coding Languages
There are numerous coding languages that you can learn as you improve your coding skills, the most common of which include:
- HTML – This is the most basic code that web developers use to make webpages. Each page that’s available on the internet is based on HTML coding that tells the browser how the content should be displayed. This form of coding allows you to create paragraph breaks, headings, and links to external websites.
- JavaScript – This form of coding gives you the ability to add interactivity to webpages. The JavaScript language is an expanded version of HTML, which provides developers with the opportunity to add such features as images that differ in size when a mouse hovers over them and sliders. Back-end and front-end development are able to use JavaScript.
- Python – This is a highly important coding language when it comes to fields like machine learning and data science. Python is specifically designed to be an object-oriented and high-level programming language that isn’t too difficult to learn. This language can help developers increase productivity because of its simple and streamlined edit-test-debug cycle.
- Ruby – This is an open-source coding language that centers around simplicity and productivity. Because of the natural syntax that Ruby is based on, learning how to code with this language isn’t too difficult. Despite its simplicity, Ruby is able to handle more complex tasks.
Ways to Learn Coding
There are several methods you can use to learn coding, each of which has its place. You can go to college and earn a bachelor’s degree in coding, teach yourself how to code, or take part in a coding bootcamp at a university or similar provider.
Teaching Yourself to Code
The majority of successful coders have taught themselves to code and develop their own products while improving their skills with the other learning methods. Today, there are many online tutorials, YouTube videos, and courses that are able to teach you everything you need to know about coding.
Most of these resources are free. The main downside with this approach is that you can get sidetracked with the myriad options at your disposal. It usually takes around 6-12 months to gain a strong understanding of around 3-4 separate programming languages when teaching yourself.
Coding Bootcamp
Coding bootcamps usually last for around 3-4 months but can take more than six months to complete. These bootcamps offer a structured approach to learning coding that can help you gain an entry-level job. You may need to develop projects that can be added to your portfolio before completing the program.
Traditional College Degree
Traditional degrees can be highly valuable if you want to earn a well-paying coding job once the program has been completed. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer programming takes upwards of four years to complete. During the initial year or two, you’ll likely be tasked with completing general education requirements. The final two years center around programming in different languages.
Skills Needed for Coding
There are many skills that are necessary when learning and practicing coding. When you’re first starting to learn how to code, the entire process may seem impossible. However, having the right skills should give you the tools you need to improve your coding abilities.
First, you’ll need to have an ability to learn and eventually memorize various code concepts through languages like HTML, Python, Java, and C++. It’s also important that you have the ability to adopt technologies as they are introduced to the market.
When looking specifically at video games, the technologies used in modern video games is much more advanced and sophisticated in comparison to the technology that was needed to make simple games in the 80s and 90s. Adapting to the latest technology is necessary if you want to stay ahead in the industry. Some of the additional skills you should have when learning how to code include:
- Commitment
- Fluency
- Dedication
- Problem-solving capabilities
- Editing skills
- Attention to detail
- Great typing speed
- Communication skills
- Database management
- Proficiency with numbers
Best Practices
While you’re learning how to code effectively, you’ll undoubtedly face numerous challenges as you improve. Some of the best practices you should remember when it comes to learning how to code include:
- Practice all of the skills that you learn on different exercises and projects
- If you want to retain the skills you learn on a long-term basis, it’s highly recommended that you regularly work on projects of any scope and size
- Consider teaching a friend all the skills you’ve learned, which is a great way to hone your skills and remain sharp
- Try to avoid memorizing everything you learn so that you can instead solve the problems that arise
- Understand that learning how to code is an incremental process that involves highs and lows
Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Coding
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about learning coding.
Is It Hard to Learn Coding?
People always question whether coding is really hard or if it just looks that way at face value. The answer differs depending on which programming language you want to learn. Languages like Python, HTML, and JavaScript are relatively easy to learn. However, other languages like C and C++ are much more difficult.
For the more challenging languages, attending a bootcamp or obtaining a bachelor’s degree should help you learn how to code. Consider starting with an easy programming language to improve your skills, after which you can move on to a more difficult language.
Does Coding Require Math?
The answer to this question depends on what you’re currently coding. If you’re creating a standard webpage with code, math isn’t needed. The headers, pull quotes, and paragraph breaks on a webpage can be coded without using your math skills.
For any programming project that uses algorithms, it’s possible that math skills will be needed. In the event that algorithms aren’t already available, you might need to create your own, which would require comprehensive math skills.
How Much Do Coders Make In a Year?
The salary you earn as a coder in the U.S. depends on your level of experience, job title, and location. According to Indeed, the average salary for a web developer in the U.S. is more than $67,000. People with around 5-10 years of experience earn around $80,000-$86,000.
Computer programmers earn around $72,000 per year. As for software developers, these professionals earn upwards of $94,000 per year. The majority of coding bootcamps center around web development. Once you obtain an entry-level web develop position, it’s possible to build more coding skills, which should help you move to a better-paying position later on.
Are Coders in High Demand?
In March 2022 alone, a search for the “software developer” position revealed around 260,000 job listings on Indeed. Searching for the “web developer” position revealed another 63,000 listings. These statistics show that coding professionals are in high demand from businesses across all industries.
Conclusion
Learning how to code is like learning a new language. It requires dedicated practice on a daily basis as well as consistent improvement by completing projects. While you work on these projects, add your own style to the fundamental practices and skills you’ve already learned.