10 Things I wish I knew when I started to Code

#webdev #career #productivity #beginners

No two success stories are alike; we've all had our ups and downs in the learning process, as well as things we wish we understood when we first started out.

If you are a new or aspiring developer, these 10 tips will help you prepare for the lengthy road ahead. Make use of them as a convenience in your own learning journey.

1.Don't be afraid to ask for help:

Reach out to peers, mentors, and online communities for support and advice.
Don't be ashamed of asking "basic" questions - everyone starts somewhere!
Be specific about the issue you're facing and provide as much context as possible.

2.Consistency is key:

Make coding a regular habit by dedicating a certain amount of time each day or week.
Use the same naming conventions, formatting, and style throughout your code.
Keep track of your progress and set achievable goals to stay motivated.

3.Read documentation thoroughly:

Take the time to read through the documentation before starting a new project or using a new tool.
Look for examples and code snippets to help you understand how to use the documentation in practice.
If you don't understand something, don't hesitate to reach out to the documentation's creators for clarification.

4.Test your code often:

Write tests for your code to catch errors and bugs early on.
Run your tests frequently to make sure your code is still working as expected.
Try out edge cases and unexpected inputs to ensure your code is robust.

5.Learn keyboard shortcuts:

Memorize common keyboard shortcuts to save time and increase efficiency.
Customize your keyboard shortcuts to fit your personal workflow.
Practice using keyboard shortcuts until they become second nature.

6.Embrace failure:

Don't be discouraged by mistakes or setbacks - they are an essential part of the learning process.
Analyze your failures and figure out what you can do differently next time.
Share your failures with others to learn from their experiences and receive feedback.

7.Understand the basics of algorithms and data structures:

Study common algorithms and data structures to gain a deeper understanding of how code works.
Learn how to analyze the time and space complexity of algorithms to optimize your code.
Practice implementing algorithms and data structures from scratch to solidify your understanding.

8.Practice, practice, practice:

Code as much as possible to gain experience and build muscle memory.
Take on new projects and challenges to stretch your skills and push your boundaries.
Practice writing clean, efficient code that is easy to read and maintain.

9.Use version control:

Use a version control system like Git to keep track of changes to your code over time.
Create branches to work on new features or experiment without affecting the main codebase.
Collaborate with others by merging changes and resolving conflicts.

10.Learn from others' code: