Free Ways To Learn How To Code

Free Ways to Learn to Code

If you've never heard of coding, now is the time to learn. The need for code grows as we enter the twenty-first century. Coding used to be restricted to computers and video games, but now it is everywhere.

Coding is now required in most major industries like healthcare, finance, and engineering. The growing global impact of coding increases demand for skilled coders. Continue reading to learn about coding and how you can learn to code.

What Is Coding and Why Should I Learn It?

Coding is the ability to program a computer to perform a specific task. Google, social media apps, banking websites, and much more are made possible by code.

You may want to learn to code for many reasons. Maybe you want to learn more about how websites and video games work, or maybe you want to switch careers to the tech industry, or maybe you just want to know what all the fuss is about. In any case, learning to code is a valuable skill that can lead to new career opportunities.

Beginner Coding Course

There are thousands of free online resources to learn to code. Beginners are frequently perplexed by the sheer number of programming languages available. So first decide on your end goal, then pick a programming language. For a tailored and effective learning journey, explore courses on the best online learning platforms.

If you want to build a website from scratch, start with HTML and CSS. Alternatively, you can enroll in Android or iOS app development courses.

You could learn Python (the most popular programming language) and make beginner projects. Here are some of the most popular programming languages.

Which Programming Language to Learn First?

Some of the programming languages you can start to learn first are as follows;

1. HTML/CSS

HTML and CSS are the languages that power most websites. CSS is used in conjunction with HTML to format and style content.

Front-end web development is a great place to start learning to code. Most successful programmers today learned HTML and CSS.

There are numerous HTML and CSS resources available, so pick one that helps you code everything from a simple “Hello World” to a fully functional website.

After mastering basic HTML and CSS, you should start working on your own web projects and then move on to JavaScript to gain professional skills.

Style sheets are languages that use HTML as a "markup" language. While both are considered programming languages, they cannot add logic to your app like, say, Java.

2. C/C++

C and C++ are two popular programming languages. They're also a great place to start learning to code. You can start with simple projects and work your way up to object-oriented programming.

C++ is primarily used in software and video game development, so it's not ideal for mobile or desktop apps.

3. Java

Java is a basic programming language for desktop apps, operating systems, mobile apps, and more. Object-oriented programming is a popular language.

However, many of the programming concepts required in Java are too advanced for beginners. So start with C/C++ and then Java.

4. Python

Python is a powerful, easy-to-learn programming language that is a great place to start learning to code. Unlike Java or C/C++, Python is not as strict with programming conventions.

Python has applications in web development, machine learning, game development, and more.

Free Code Training Platform

Now that you know the different programming languages, let's look at the best free resources to learn to code.

1. freeCodeCamp

It is a great website that has helped millions of people learn to code. FreeCodeCamp's web development courses are fantastic, covering HTML, CSS, React, and Javascript.

2. Coursera

Coursera, like Udemy, offers free courses from top universities. Coursera teaches C/C++, web development, Java, mobile app development, and more.

It includes video lectures, assignments and quizzes to help you learn and develop your programming skills. Auditing courses means you won't get a certificate of completion.

3. Udemy

Udemy is a unique online education platform that lets experts create and sell their courses. It is possible to learn web development, data science and machine learning on Udemy. Whatever you want to learn, Udemy has you covered with tons of free courses.

4. edX

edX is a non-profit that offers free online college courses. Like MIT OpenCourseWare, edX offers courses in a variety of subjects, categorized by difficulty. edX has many computer programming courses from renowned universities like NYU and Harvard.

5. YouTube

YouTube's educational potential is vastly underestimated. While YouTube is great for learning math, science, and other subjects, it's best to avoid coding tutorials. Although outdated and incomplete, there are still useful coding tutorials available.

Verdict

Coding is a vital part of the world, and the resources listed above are excellent places to start. Coding, like any other career, takes time and effort. Start with simple programming concepts like for, while, or do while loops.

Before diving into new technologies and languages, master the fundamentals. Start with Python or C/C++, then move on to HTML/CSS. Coding is not an overnight success; remember to have fun while learning at your own pace.