Hello friend!
Welcome to another post about... well you kinda already know what is from the title.
This time we're going to talk about how to tackle coding in general in a different way so that it doesn't look like that big and scary challenge.
Having said that, let's begin!
Intro
Programming sometimes can be a mind-bogglingly difficult task. Trying to figure out the right way to write code can be frustrating and can lead to us getting stressed out.
But don’t let that stop you; the more you learn about it, the better you’ll become.
So how do we get better at it? Well, there are many ways; from how we prepare, to the specific programming languages we use. But in here I want to share with you some effective ways to become a better programmer in much less time.
Jump-start from the beginning
There are many ways to jump start from the very beginning. One way is to define what's that you want to do first. Having an aim of what you want to do in the future is better than picking a language only because it's "popular".
Sure, there are multipurpose languages that you can learn, but some are better suited for specific tasks than others.
For example, JavaScript has always been popular because it's the language of the web. But other very popular ones are PHP and Java.
This are tried and tested languages that have proven to be functional and reliable and have their use in the backend.
Something else you can do is to start learning right from your browser. You don't need to have a full developer environment to get started learning a language.
Some languages have tutorials online that you can get started with without installing anything on your computer.
For instance, you can learn Ruby online and you can also learn Haskell online.
Once you've learned the basics of the languages, you can start building programs with them and see if it makes sense to you.
If for some reason you feel the language — whether is the syntax, the structures, or something else — is too abstract or obtuse for your mind to grasp, you can try a different one and see if vibes along better with you.
Write code early and often
One of the best ways to get better at programming is to write code. That doesn’t mean, however, that you need to sit at your computer and scribble out your next computer program from start to finish.
While this does indeed work, it takes a long time, and you don’t really learn anything. Instead, write code often. This can include taking a sample program from a tutorial and adapting it to your needs.
You could also write a program that automates repetitive tasks using python for example, or a write program that searches the internet for certain information and then log the results.
Next time you have a practice session you can take some of your programs and modify them. Add extra features or change the functionality of existing ones.
Reflection is key
When learning to code, it’s important to be mindful of everything you are doing. This includes every choice you make, every action you take, and every breath you take.
Well... maybe not, don't take it that far 😅
The reflection part is important when you start developing your skills. This is because as you start to become better at coding, you will naturally become more confident.
That, however, doesn’t mean that you have to become arrogant. Instead, you need to build on that confidence and become aware that the more you learn, the more you realize that there are much more things to learn.
This is something quite common not just in coding.
As you become better at it some things are going to become automatic and you won't pay them much attention. That's a common source of bugs later on.
I've been searching for hours what the error might be and haven-t find it...
Ahh... I see now, I forgot a semicolon...
There are some things that might seem dumb at first but usually that's where you have to look.
Be curious about new things
New advances in development are always coming about every month or so.
This includes what new frameworks pop out, what programming languages are now used, or what will be the tooling of the future. Zig language doing rounds out there am I right?
When it comes to learning coding, try to be curious about new things. This can include what people are saying about new tools, what new trends are in the coding industry, and what programming languages will be important in the future.
By being curious about new things, you can have an easier time going about the learning process and don't get stuck on just one topic.
That, in turn, will allow you to pivot to something else that you might find more enjoyable (or profitable).
Curiosity is not only a powerful motivator but also a good way to direct your learning.
Don't Stop Learning
It’s important to remember that no matter how confident you are in your programming skills, you are not done learning.
That doesn’t mean you will forever be a novice programmer, or that you will never be able to write a correct program from the start.
It simply means that you're on the continuous path of lifelong-learning and you will always have the chance to improve.
But this shouldn't discourage into thinking that is a waste of time to try to learn something that will never end.
Instead, see it as a way to become a more skilled professional and a much better person that your previous self.
By being a student for life and putting in the practice sessions, you can keep developing your coding skills, while also having fun in the process.
Conclusion
There are many ways to become better at coding, and we have outlined just a few in this post.
Pick a language you aren’t as familiar with, write code often, reflect on what you do, be curious about new things, and don’t stop learning.
These tips will allow you to become better at coding more efficiently and get more done at work as a result.
Keep in mind, however, that good programming takes time. It’s okay to take a break from coding and come back to it when you have more time.
It’s also okay to take a step back and think about what you are doing. This can help you become more aware of how and why you are coding, and how you can get better at it.
That's it for this post! Thanks for reading all the way here (if you made it all the way here that is...)
Hope these tips are useful so you can apply them to your own coding journey.
If you have any questions or comments, let me know and let's talk about it!
See you next time.
Photo by Danial Igdery on Unsplash
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