7 Tips To Learn to Program Quickly

Programming is one of the industries that has had the greatest growth in recent years. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that jobs will increase by 17% by 2024, which is faster than most other industries. Even if you don’t have a computer science degree, you can make a career as a programmer.

With so much information just a few clicks away today, you can learn to code at your own pace as long as you have some basic computer skills. In reality, you will probably never stop learning. As a programmer, technology is always changing, and what works today probably won’t work a year from now.

If you want to get a good job as a programmer, you need to start learning how to code. Because there is so much to master, it may take a while to feel like you’ve reached an expert level where you can start applying for programming jobs. If you want to learn to program faster, you should do your best with these 7 tips.

1. The perfect time never comes, you must start today!

Many new programmers stop starting because they are waiting for the perfect moment. In the age of the Internet, there is no “perfect” time to start. It is overwhelming when you don’t know where to start, but you have to start first.

The sooner you start playing with the code on your own, the faster you can master these skills. Think of coding like learning a language. This is the language of computers, and like any language, you need to know the rules and start testing them yourself.

It is not enough to know the basics. You also need to play around the code, learn how to make it work for you, and start experimenting. You are going to make mistakes. Actually, you’re going to make a lot of them. This is good! This means that you are learning. Just make sure you start.

2. Review the basics of programming

As we said before, programming is like learning a language. Like any language, you need to know the basics. You may have to keep learning these basic concepts over and over again until they feel like second nature. Even then, it’s okay to keep revising them over time as you learn new skills.

Elemental abilities are what make up your foundation. If you don’t have a solid foundation, you will be prone to mistakes later in your career. No matter how proficient you feel with some parts of coding, don’t skip the basic concepts. Make sure to save them somewhere so you can come back to them later.

3. Write your code on paper

We all know how numb our brains get when we stare at a computer screen all day. Step away from the computer and take out a piece of paper and a pencil, the old-fashioned way. Start writing your code and think about each line individually. Although it is difficult, try not to review your code as you write it. Put your critical thinking skills to work and test your comprehension.

This is actually a great way to start practicing as writing by hand is a standard of many work processes these days. When you finally show up for that interview, you’ll be confident and ready to write by hand. It truly is a show.

4. Use online resources

The Internet is a wonderful resource for new (and experienced!) programmers. You can find a multitude of resources online, from YouTube tutorials to GitHub. You can find courses that will guide you step by step to master this process, or you can simply search for tutorials as you face new questions.

One of the biggest perks of online resources is that they are always changing. You can learn about anything from free log management to Amazon Cloudwatch. In this competitive market, you need to know as much as you can about the latest trends and changes in the industry. Thanks to the Internet, this is possible.

5. Escape the samples

Using sample code is a great way to learn. GitHub and other platforms make it easy to find new sample code to use on your own, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go further. Let’s face it: with the sample code you are not learning. Understanding the code on the screen and actually writing the code organically are two different things. 

As a programmer, you need to interact with your code on a deeper level. That means writing it yourself, testing it, and learning from your mistakes. If you’re not ready to write organic code yourself, start by modifying the sample code. Write new lines, make changes and start building on what already exists. This will help you grow as a programmer until you are ready to work on your own.

6. Learn to ask for help and when not to

Asking for help is an important part of being a programmer. Sometimes you really need a helping hand to get things going, especially if you’ve been stuck for a while. That said, you shouldn’t just jump into a programming forum the second you run into a problem. There is much to be gained by solving these problems on your own.

Realize that as a professional programmer you will need to know how to handle your own problems. Troubleshooting is simply a reality of working with computers. If small challenges trip you up or frustrate you, this may not be the right career path for you.

While you shouldn’t feel like you can’t ask for help when you really need it, don’t abuse it. Much of the coding world is based on collaboration, so asking for help will teach you how to work as a team. However, always try to work on your own mistakes first to see if you can work it out naturally.

7. Step away from the screen

Coding can be addictive, and this means that you need to know when to step away from the screen. Yes, working on lines of code and bugs will help you learn faster, but remember that burnout is a thing. You want to keep your mind fresh so you can tackle new problems with confidence, so learn when it’s time to call it a day.

It’s easy to spiral into negativity if you’ve been struggling with a bug for a few hours. Let your mind refresh. Shut down your computer and do something else. Go for a walk or just watch a show for a few minutes. Anything that gives your mind a much-needed break.

Programmers need thick skin. Things will go wrong. Sometimes those things are out of your control. As a programmer, you are a problem solver. It’s okay if you need a break to clear those issues, and it’s okay if you need to get away from time to time.

If you want to land your dream programming job, you have to be willing to work. While anyone can code, it’s still a lot of hard work. Not everyone will be ready for the challenge and continuous learning.

The best way to learn is to just sit back and do the work. It takes a lot of practice and patience, but it’s worth it. As long as you use these 7 tips mentioned above, you will overcome doubts and find yourself with an exciting job offer.