What do you do if you want to learn programming online?

Things ive found helpful was having an initial idea of where I would like to begin in my learning journey, due to the vast amount of information online, its easy for a beginner to get lost. Once you have an initial idea of what you'd like to start with, its best to jump right in with learning the basics and then solidifying that by doing some small projects. But the key is to keep consistently practicing and improving your skill set

Try to make learning fun. For many programming languages, there are games that allow you to learn while solving some interesting challenges. When something is enjoyable it's more likely that you'll stick with it and develop a habit that will propel your learning journey.

If you are beginner and don't understand at all the logic of programming. I suggest something easy and fun like Scratch. That is used for kids to train their brain in logical thinking of programming. If you already have some grasp of the logic and wants to get your hands dirty right away, then you can go ahead and try Python. Plenty of resources here, such as LeetCode, HackerRank, Kaggle, etc. It all depends on which journey you want to take on. You can also try to find a mentor that at least can map the journey for you, so you won't get lost. Once you get a hang of it, that will be infinite source of learning.

According to me for learning from online these are the key points to take care of:- 1. Choose a Programming Language: Start with a beginner-friendly language like Python or JavaScript. 2. Find Quality Resources: Look for online courses, tutorials, and books from trusted sources like Codecademy, Coursera, or free platforms like Khan Academy and freeCodeCamp. 3. Practice Regularly: Utilize coding challenges on sites like LeetCode or HackerRank. 4. Build Projects: Create simple projects to apply what you've learned. 5. Seek Feedback: Share your code with others for constructive criticism and improvement. 6. Be Patient and Persistent: Keep practicing and learning from your mistakes.

Python has a few severe drawbacks that make it unsuitable for beginners. I recommend to start with a simple C# console or GUI application for three reasons: - The concept of data types is stricter and therefore easier to understand than in Python. In C#, variables must be declared with their explicit data type, and explicit casts are usually necessary. Python on the other hand uses more implicit casts, making it harder to distinguish between data types (e.g. for integer/double representations) - by using Visual Studio, you do not need to bother about setting up a correct tool chain. It works out of the box. - Syntax of C# is simple, but also similar to other widely used languages like Java, C or C++.

In the fast-moving tech world it's easy to overlook the importance of the basic programming concepts, like variables, data-types, loops and conditionals. However, these concepts are essential to every programming language, and a very good understanding of them will make learning new programming languages easier. My experience as a technical interviewer allowed me to see that many people rush into programming. I saw a lot of candidates who focused a lot on React or Angular, but had huge gaps in vanilla JavaScript. Regardless of the level we are talking about, I think that if you master the basics, you will learn the advanced things much easier.

Remember, before you run, you need to learn how to walk. So as you spend more time on the basics, later your journey on learning advanced topics becomes easier. Many people just ignore spending time on basics as they think because there's a tutorial online teaching everything about reactjs (as an example ) so there's no need to learn JavaScript first. And sooner or later they will face a wall in their career and learning path. As a quote, learning basics is just like sharpening an axe, with a dull axe you just get yourself tired without doing much.

When beginning to learn, think: what do you want to do? There are many languages, each with its own use e.g. C, R, SQL. Start with something you can relate to. #1 advantage of programming is being able to automate tasks, even if partially. Try to understand (with practice) how the language: - describe & manipulate data (types, variables, etc.) - manage stored data (reads/writes to files) - auto-run commands (repeat loops; decides with conditions) - search (use wildcards, regular expressions) - handle errors Set some basic goals e.g. create "Hello World"; & incrementally expand goals e.g. load "Hello World" from file; until you can do complex tasks e.g. get data from file, filter by type, do some operations on each, test & report results.

Mastering the fundamentals of programming is essential before moving on to more complex concepts. Start by understanding variables, data types, control structures like loops and conditionals, and the basic syntax of your chosen programming language. Online courses often provide an interactive environment where you can write and test code snippets, which is crucial for solidifying your understanding and applying what you've learned. Don't rush through the basics; building a strong foundation will make advanced topics more approachable and easier to grasp as you progress in your programming journey.

Once you grab basics it is really easy to learn another programming language. Because there are only slight changes in most of the languages. Grab basics like variables, conditionals ,data types in language, and iterations. Then you can look in to OOP concepts.

The best way to learn how to code is just by building projects. Just throw your ideas and start implementing whatever project idea you have, big or small. Try looking for things in your life that need improvement and can be improved using the help of technology and work on those issues first. You are never going to be perfect, so just start! Refer to documentation, tutorials, and YouTube videos and try to piece things together one by one. Never blindly copy-paste code, you must understand what your code does. Also, refrain from using tools like ChatGPT for help in your code. Feel free to use AI tools to ask abstract questions that give you a deeper understanding of how things work such as "Explain the working of a MERN Stack website".

Literally , The best way is to learn the coding now or in today's time is just by building projects . Because when you build project , you get better perspective on how to write such things and made it . And after that try to think in real life scenario .Nowadays, while writing the code if you face an error you can go on chatgpt or other platform . Don't be afraid of others , while coding because no one knows entire code , they are also preferring from documentation and googling it . So Learn with building the project is best way.

Building some projects teaches you a lot that you just can't get from reading documentation alone. When you actually start coding and bringing your ideas to life, you'll encounter all sorts of practical challenges and learn valuable lessons that simply can't be replicated in a tutorial. So don't just passively consume tutorials and documentation. Set aside time to build your own small apps, tools, and websites. The practical experience you gain will be an invaluable complement to the more theoretical knowledge you pick up. Plus, you'll end up with an impressive portfolio to show for your efforts!

It's all about building. Learn by doing seems to be the long path, but it is the fastest way to build a solid experience. Start building and at the same time looking for better ways of doing it. Don't be afraid to throw your work away and restart all over. It's part of the process. Iterate.

Of course this is really important. Only when you build your own projects you will understand what you know and don't know. When doing projects initially it is hard, you will get many errors. But don't fear, because you can find help for most of the errors you get. Just google it. Once you get your hands dirty by errors, you will learn ton of things. Additionally once you have projects it adds value to your CV.

To learn programming online, joining communities is vital: Find Platforms: Join forums like Stack Overflow, Reddit's r/learnprogramming, or Discord servers focused on programming. Engage: Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share knowledge. Collaborate: Join coding groups or projects on GitHub to work with others. Attend Events: Join online coding meetups, webinars, or hackathons for networking and learning. Feedback Loop: Seek feedback on your code and projects to improve continuously. Stay Updated: Communities share news, trends, and resources to keep you informed and motivated. Support Network: Connect with peers, mentors, and experienced developers for guidance and encouragement.

Join communities like stackoverflow, reddit and etc. Because there you will find solutions to your problems. As of my knowledge those communities are really willing to help you. And also don't hesitate to help another programmer.

Feeling stuck or need a cheerleader? Don't go it alone! Online programmer communities are like having a built-in support group. You can ask questions, share your code (and get helpful feedback!), and see how others tackle problems. These communities come in all shapes and sizes, from forums for specific coding languages to broader techie groups on social media. So dive in, connect with others, and get a boost in your coding journey!

I personally didn't join any communities and i felt uncomfortable, but it didn't stop me. Having a community is always beneficial but not necessary

Avoid "tutorial hell". Working through tutorials is a great way to get more confidence in programming and reinforcing concepts but it can dampen creativity when it comes to active problem solving. If you are working through a tutorial, try and give them some unique flair to make it your own. Breaking out the box will undoubtedly bring problems that need to be solved and that's where the learning really starts. Also, don't be afraid to start building!

Consistent practice is essential for mastering programming skills. Dedicate regular time to coding exercises, challenges and projects to reinforce your learning, improve your coding speed and build confidence.

If you are inclined toward the competitive coding aspect, then you should have a routine on websites like LeetCode, CodeChef, and HackerRank. There are many more ways to approach practice and having a goal is the best way to implement it as well.

Unlike riding a bike or swimming, you can actually forgot how to code. Without regular practice you will become rusty and it will be difficult to come up with code that seems easy. As programming is about building logic, the logic building skills fade.

I don't believe in setting a specific time and space when it comes to learning in the beginning. I was studying quite a lot, but not every day and it was only when i felt in the right mental state to learn new information. If you're not in a rush and don't have deadlines - using your motivation instead, will lead to the best results.

Once you've mastered the basics and honed your skills through projects, it's time to venture into advanced territory. Delve into topics like data structures, algorithms, design patterns, and coding best practices. These concepts elevate the efficiency and quality of your code, unlocking new possibilities in your programming journey. As you progress, consider contributing to open-source projects to apply your newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios. Additionally, learning additional programming languages enriches your skill set and enhances your versatility as a programmer.

The key to mastering any skill is practice, and programming is no different! Just like learning an instrument, set aside some time each day or week to code, even if it's just for 30 minutes. The more you use your coding muscles, the more comfortable you'll become with the concepts. Plus, consistent practice keeps you sharp on the latest trends and tricks in the ever-changing world of tech. So, lace up your coding shoes and make it a habit to practice regularly!

Once you have mastered the basic, continue learning by exploring more advanced topics and technologies. This could include learning new programming languages, frameworks or tools, diving deeper into specific areas of interest or tackling more complex projects to further enhance your skills and knowledge.

Be more open to projects where you can develop something new or something that you never did before. There is a challenge but is much more fun.

Consider learning these 2 tools to make your life easier as a programmer: 1. Version control (git) 2. Docker (or similar "containers" solution) With version control you'll be able to rewind mistakes, work in teams, make different versions of your code to experiment and merge it all together when it works. With "containers" (docker) you'll solve the problem that plaged programmerkind for so long: "it works on my computer". It will save you tons of time installing all the dependencies to run a code on your computer. Those are tools that will boost your productivity a lot the sooner you add them to your toolbelt.

When you are new to a programming language and still want to keep your journey interesting, then check for the fun projects build by open-source community. Import the code in your environment, try running and setting up the code. Once you have successfully ran the code, try reverse engineering the code. Once you have understood the code try making small changes to the existing code on your own. This exercise will help you understand the concepts of the language and will boost your confidence that you can build something similar. This will also keep you hooked in the long journey that is coding.

You are joking? I started ofline. When I started - there were 5 more years until online, in Bulgaria. There were books, there were code which I had to modify to simplify my work. PS I am medical doctor, by education, although last 24 years, I am earning my monney programming. When I started with my first modifications of code - it was 1991.

Can't beat an old fashion paperback book. No need for all this fancy IDE, Container, Git, Chat GPT to get started. Open a linux vm jump in vim and read the book. Get the foundations before you try to build another insecure product to cause more supply chain attacks. ??

One aspect worth considering is the importance of staying curious and embracing the learning journey as a continuous process. Programming is a vast and ever-evolving field, and there's always something new to explore.