Learning a new programming language can be a daunting task, especially if you have limited time and resources. However, with the right approach, you can master the basics of any language in a matter of weeks, if not days. In this article, we will share some tips and strategies that will help you learn a new programming language faster and more effectively.
The first step to learning a new programming language is to choose one that matches your interests, needs, and objectives. There are hundreds of languages to choose from, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and applications. For example, if you want to build web applications, you might consider learning JavaScript, Python, or Ruby. If you want to work with data analysis, you might opt for R, SQL, or Julia. If you want to develop games, you might pick C#, C++, or Java. The key is to find a language that aligns with your personal or professional goals, and that you enjoy learning and using.
Total immersion. I once had to develop a totally new complex offline mobile application product in a matter of weeks. It meant learning a new language, new framework and build an API to accommodate. There a steep learning curve and it’s a struggle but sheer will can push you through that grey fuzzy cloud of unknowns and slowly things start making more sense and things connect. The curve evens out and within days you can see how everything is going to fit together. It doesn’t make you an expert in a language but it’s enough to carry a project to completion. Next time you can write it smarter and cleaner.
- I agree with the above statement that to learn a new language you should firstly find out for what purpose you are going to use that language. - After getting the answer of the above question you should try going through the syntax and semantics of that language. - Then try to make small small programs in that language to get a good hand on the syntax in your local IDE or on any coding platform. - And if by chance you get stuck anywhere during practice, immediately go through the online documentation of that language or try taking help from the community members of that programming language. - All these methods that I mentioned above are super useful and are tested and tried by myself also. - Happy Coding !
work on projects related to the programming language you want to learn and practice, practice and practice in other words make your hands dirty
I had zero programming experience when I got assigned my first task to code flight software using Ada programming language. I almost cried and doubted my career choices. Then faced the same question when worked in another company but this time doing C++. I practiced and practiced and practiced coding ON PAPER. Instead of writing the code in IDE. I understood high level concepts which was visible in available code base. Spotted all the key concepts in terms of design patterns, class, use of matrices, pointers, mutex, shared pointers, memory management etc. and started learning basic concepts revolving around those topics from the code I worked with. It helped. Asked a lot of basic questions to those who knew C++, googled/stack-overflow etc
I remember the first real assignment I was given. I had very little programming experience, but my boss simple gave me the dBase3 user manual and told me that I had 2 months to develop an complete system for an insurance company. I completed it before that time. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you need passion, dedication and with today's on line resources, learning a new language depends mostly on your determination.
The next step is to find a source of learning that provides you with clear, concise, and engaging explanations and examples of the language you want to learn. This could be a book, a course, a tutorial, a blog, a podcast, or any other medium that suits your learning style and preferences. The important thing is to choose a source that is up-to-date, relevant, and comprehensive, and that covers the fundamentals of the language as well as some advanced topics and best practices. You should also look for a source that offers you exercises, quizzes, projects, or challenges that allow you to practice and apply what you learn.
My IT career has never involved finding a reliable and engaging source of learning. In real world projects that I have been involved in, mostly for Fortune 500s and software startups), quite often there was only ONE source for the language (this is pre-internet), the official language manual (which are not for the faint of heart, if the language has an official ANSI definition). There are also "unofficial" manuals which were created by language authors, such as the K&R book for C or the REXX book (2nd edition) by Cowlishaw, that proved much easier to read (and learn from) than the offiical ones.
Finding a reliable and engaging source of learning is important in programming if you know the basics of programming like flowcharting, algorithm and also knowing the syntax of the language. After the basics, getting the right book on the language or these days the Internet can also be helpful. Colleagues knowledgeable in the language can also help.
Staying current in the ever-evolving field of information technology is crucial, especially when learning a new programming language. Opting for educational resources that not only teach the fundamentals but also delve into advanced topics and recent developments is essential. Whether it's through interactive courses, comprehensive books, or insightful podcasts, your chosen source should challenge and engage you with practical exercises and real-world projects. This approach not only solidifies your understanding but also keeps you abreast of the latest trends and best practices in the field, preparing you to effectively apply your skills in today's dynamic tech landscape.
The third step is to set a realistic and consistent schedule for your learning. Learning a new programming language requires time, dedication, and repetition, so you need to allocate some hours every week to study and practice. Depending on your availability and pace, you might decide to learn for one hour a day, three hours a week, or any other frequency that works for you. The important thing is to stick to your schedule and make it a habit. You should also set some milestones and goals for your learning, such as completing a chapter, a module, a course, or a project, and track your progress and achievements.
Think of the process of learning a programming language in the same way that you would if you were learning a language like Spanish, French, or German. You won’t be good at it overnight. Some of it will make sense right away and some of it won’t. It will be hard, grueling even, but it won’t be impossible and the learning curve will eventually level out to something less intimidating. You’ll realize one day you started building on concepts and it will feel amazing! The best part of programming is that you may become fluent in the language, but the concepts will forever become more challenging and intricate! Always try to remember that even senior engineers are still learning new things and growing all the time.
Sorry for laughing, but in my "real" world, there is no such thing as a realistic (or consistent) schedule. When your client wants you to update, fix or enhance existing code, it's usually on THEIR schedule, which rarely is realistic, and frequently subject to change. If I have one day to learn a new language, in order to meet project deadlines, I will learn whatever is the bare minimum required for me to do the assignment. I think it's not very realistic (at least not for contractors) to spend time learning the minutiae of a new language, if I only need to know how to fix a bug in someone else's existing code.
Setting realistic goals in your journey to learn a new programming language is as vital as the learning itself. It's important to remember that progress in coding doesn't always follow a straight line; there will be times of rapid advancement as well as periods of slower growth. Establish a feasible and regular study schedule, but also be flexible and kind to yourself if you occasionally fall short of your targets. Every small step forward is a victory in itself. Embrace the learning curve and understand that mastering a programming language takes time and patience. The key is consistency and resilience, not perfection. Celebrate your achievements, however minor they seem, and view any setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities!
Like any form of learning an activity or spoken language you need to set a consistent and reliable schedule to follow to learn the programming language. Once you start learning, you have to practice with examples to ensure that you are following whatever you are learning. You can then take a project of the language and eventually can be perfect after some time.
To comprehend any language, one must start with understanding the building blocks that are parts of the language and practice as often as possible, preferably every day as learning to play an instrument. It's fun but also requires discipline and dedication.
The fourth step is to use multiple resources and methods to reinforce and expand your learning. While having a main source of learning is essential, you should also complement it with other materials and tools that can help you deepen your understanding and improve your skills. For example, you can use online documentation, forums, videos, podcasts, newsletters, or magazines to learn more about the language, its features, its community, and its trends. You can also use online platforms, tools, or apps to practice coding, test your knowledge, get feedback, or solve problems.
I really find it very rewarding to have multiple diverse sets of sources of learning to ensure you are understanding different scenarios and how certain patterns and styles can be accomplished as they are not the same across all languages. It's also important to practice and build applications, tools, or scripts depending on the language to truly internalize that knowledge.
Well, I agree that if you have the time, using multiple resources and methods makes sense. But in reality, how many people in our IT industry have the time? I basically do J.I.T. learning of whatever I need to learn about a language to do the client assignment in the shortest amount of time, using the FEWEST resources. Time is money, and most IT projects either suffer from lack of time or lack of money (to hire an expert for the job).
Using multiple resources and methods like online documentation, videos, podcasts and others to support your learning can be helpful. Once you are improving your knowledge, you can test your knowledge, solve problems, all in an effort to be strong and confident in the language.
The fifth step is to build something with the language you are learning. This is the best way to apply what you have learned, to challenge yourself, to discover new aspects of the language, and to have fun. You can choose to build something that interests you, that solves a problem, that showcases your creativity, or that adds value to your portfolio. It doesn't have to be complex or perfect, as long as it works and it reflects your learning. You can also share your project with others, get feedback, improve it, or collaborate with other learners or developers.
Building something real can be an extremely rewarding way to learn a new language. It can help give you more drive to succeed as you start to see the results of your progress, and overcome seemingly impossible problems. A lot of patience is needed if you want to start out this way. You might spend hours trying to figure out how to pass a variable in the right way - without patience and determination, it can be difficult to persist through to the solution. However, each problem you solve will teach you how to solve that problem and likely many others through the journey. And the rewards of building something tangible as you go can be excellent motivation.
Personally I take the 21st Century Learning Design (21CLD) approach. Pick a project, something that can provide a tangible deliverable for your community with no intent on ever being paid for it. Through that lens, tackle your project and learn whatever it is you are trying to learn. It's better than having a hundred "hello world" projects and you make a difference in your life and the lives around you in the process. I've done this with Power Automate to create all sorts of community services over the years and more recently learned how to use API calls to create AI powered characters with the mandate to interact with my community, learn, and support its residents in any way that they can. Be the change you want to see and learn from it.
YES, I wholeheartedly agree. And my "builds" are always for a client who wants code fixed, enhanced or reviewed. Rarely do I get request for coding a program from scratch. Again, most IT people I know are working 40-60 hrs per week (many are on call even when not working nights or weekends even). Where are they going to find time?
This should be closer to the top of the article. Practice, practice, and more practice. This is essential to learning a new language as a developer who now knows 5+ programming languages at a proficient level. You will run into obstacles, unknowns, and breakthroughs that a textbook, course or tutorial will try but never be able to perfectly replicate. Use practice as the number one way to learn a language. Google your questions, or use some generative AI tools to help!
I would recommend learning by building different projects is something that can teach you not just the language features, but also when those features can be useful; which is a really hard thing to gasp at first. The same thing applies to all tools actually, not just programming languages. If you play with a tool, you get to explore ways which you can utilize it. The second best thing you can do is asking lots of questions (and searching them online; or asking a mentor).
The sixth and final step is to keep learning and improving your skills and knowledge of the language. Learning a new programming language is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires constant updating and refining. You should always be curious and eager to learn new things, to explore new possibilities, to experiment with new techniques, and to overcome new challenges. You should also seek feedback, guidance, and support from other learners or experts, and join online or offline communities that can help you grow and network. Learning a new programming language is an exciting and rewarding journey that never ends.
Learning a new programming language takes time, it will require patience and persistent in your efforts. In my experience, I always start with the basics like learning the language's syntax, variable, data type. Apart from that, I prefer to read the official documentation to have an in-depth understanding. I also watch structured online course that will accelerate my learning and last but not the least, I consistently practicing it to achieve mastery.
iterate, iterate, iterate. Take that project, tackle it from an Agile perspective by circling back after you've finished, check with stakeholders, get feedback then knock it down and start again. Don't fear re-work, every time you rebuild you will learn something, you will harden your project, and you and your community will be better for it.
Learning a new programming language is a journey that never ends. To stay ahead of the curve, it is essential to contribute to open source projects. This will provide one with hands-on experience with a variety of programming languages and technologies. For example, my first website I built was never perfect , it still isn't, we are just taking a walk and marking the asymptote of improvement to perfection and make it perfect from our view point and better each day.
"Learning a programming language (not your first one)" boils down to: - Do practical things - Pass tests/interviews The two are NOT mutually inclusive. Assume the first is your goal. Start: in this language, how do basic concepts of types, variables, control flow, error handling, and encapsulation work? How to bootstrap a project, write a unit (class, function, etc.), add members, set values, and externally access them? Inspect values and branch operations (usually "Hello world" language docs)? Then, more practical: How to access a DB? Render content? Make HTTP and socket calls? Now I can access a DB and/or API, get/put data, process, and display. Continue by hitting the docs and widening my learning resources as needed.
Connect with as many other engineers as you can! There are so many incredible groups both online and in person. This is a great place to get information on realistic job expectations, salary comps, expand your knowledge for your preferred language, discover new languages on the up and up, make friends, and hopefully network enough to get a job!
Although you might leverage AI and ChatGPT to quickly get up to pace, or understand tricky language specific concepts, it's important to realise that the main source code is still the king. Amidst all the videos, and roadmaps, and ChatGPT answers, don't forget about the main source code in your language. You often learn very interesting concepts if you're just looking under the hood. Once you're comfortable with the syntax, try to understand why it works the way it does. Every language has a core set of building blocks and understanding them unlocks a whole new world of potentials. And be kind to yourself. Some days you might feel that you're struggling. Remind yourself that it's an iterative process. Remember that consistency > speed.
Once you learn the basics for a new language, a fun way to challenge yourself and grow is by participating in online challenges such as HackerRank and LeetCode, both of which have active online communities to collaborate with.