The only way to develop a comprehensive understanding of coding is by first building a foundational knowledge of how and why programming does certain things.
At a time when certain job professions are withering away at the hands of technology and automation, there's one skill set that continues to be more in demand than ever before: coding.
Businesses and organizations are constantly looking for website developers, software developers, and computer programmers. In other words, if you understand how to code and prove to be knowledgeable, you shouldn't have any trouble finding high paying jobs that are flexible and enjoyable.
The trouble is that coding isn't easy. It takes a lot of time, work, and dedication to understand the basics of coding. It's like learning a new language, which takes a lot of time and effort. However, once you've successfully learned a second language, you can generally learn a third and fourth without much trouble.
Five Things You Need to Know
While it's impossible to teach you everything you need to know about coding in a single resource, consider this article a 101 introductory guide. It'll provide you with some helpful tips, information, and terminology that will allow you to decide whether or not coding is something you'd be interested in learning more about.
- Know the Five Basic Concepts
There are many different coding languages, but there are five basic concepts that remain consistent throughout. In order to understand programming, you must grasp these ideas. While you can certainly read about them in much more detail, these are the basic terms and definitions:
- Variables. Programs are built on variables--they are the backbone of any programming language. In simplest form, a variable is a method of storing information that's intended to be used later. It can then be retrieved by referring to the word or term that describes this information.
- Control structures. A control structure is a piece of programming that analyzes different variables and chooses how to proceed based on the parameters in play. It's essentially the decision making aspect of computing and determines responses based on certain actions or inputs.
- Data structures. These are specific methods by which data is stored and organized in a computer. It's stored in such a way that it can be efficiently accessed and used when needed.
- Syntax. Even if you don't have much coding knowledge, you probably know that different characters and symbols are used. Well, the syntax is the set of rules that defines the combination of various symbols and which ones are properly structured. Syntax is essentially the grammar handbook for the coding language.
- Tools. Finally, we have tools. This is the easiest of the five concepts to understand. As in the real world, a tool is simply a piece of software that allows you to program faster and more efficiently. There are thousands of tools out there, so choosing the right onefor your specific needs is most important.
If you understand these five basic concepts, then you have a much stronger foundation than half the people who attempt to learn coding.
- Choose the Right Language
There are tons of different coding languages. The key is to choose the right one. And the best way to choose the right language is by getting to the root of the issue: Why do you want to code?
Do you want to build websites? Develop apps? Gain more control over your own data? There are hundreds of different applications, and the language you choose will depend on the goal you're trying to accomplish.
The good news is that many coding languages are similar and share some of the same basic concepts. The best piece of advice is to pick a language and stick with it until you know everything about it. Then, you can use another language--you'll find that your previous understanding will make things a bit simpler.
Source and full article: Inc.
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