Programming is everywhere. Just 100 years ago, it was only used to perform mathematical calculations more efficiently. Today, programming governs our everyday lives, influencing our actions, our thoughts, and the development of a sustainable future. Remember the last movie you watched? The last building you drove past? The results of the last presidential election? Programming is behind all of that. So, what exactly is programming? Put simply, programming is providing a set of instructions for a computer to execute. Imagine the set of instructions being a recipe, and the computer being you making the recipe. However, a computer cannot process words like humans can. This is where coding comes in. Forming those instructions is programming while converting them into a language the computer can understand is coding. As Stephen Hawking once said, “Whether you want to uncover the secrets of the universe, or you want to pursue a career in the 21st century, basic computer programming is an essential skill to learn.”
For a very long period of time, only a few people knew how to code. That amount has been duly increasing every single year, with more than 20 million software developers globally today. Anyone can learn how to code. If you are a human being and you have the ability to think logically and creatively, then you are more than qualified to code. In elementary school, I had very little experience with coding and also felt hesitant to take the initiative to start learning. I’ve seen coding scripts before, with all those dizzying combinations of words and symbols I didn’t understand at all. How could I learn to do all of that, and where do I even start? I’m sure that most beginner coders can more or less relate to these conceptions that I had about coding. I didn’t let these negative conceptions hinder me however, since I know that my coding skills will directly impact my level of engagement with the greater community in the future. I can now confidently affirm that once you step into the world of coding, there will be more light in your own world as well as the world around you. All it takes is one trip to the bookstore/library or a few clicks on your mouse, and you will be able to reach new heights that you never could’ve envisioned before.
There are a myriad of resources available to guide you in your journey of coding. They include: websites, books, workshops, videos, and more. Generally, this journey has some common milestones that will pave the way towards becoming an experienced, master coder. First of all, you need to be familiar with foundational coding concepts which apply to every single coding language. Personally, I passed this milestone both by reading a book and by completing an online course:
Smith, G. (2020). Everything you need to ace computer science and coding in one big fat notebook. New York: Workman Publishing.
Although this book is aimed towards middle schoolers, I think anyone who is starting from zero will find it intriguing, clear, and informative. In addition, there are many other STEM subjects to explore through the Big Fat Notebook series.
Learn How to Code. Retrieved https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-how-to-code
Code Academy is a very interactive website where coders of all skill levels can learn and practice nearly all coding languages. This specific course is a fantastic introduction to coding that takes minimal time to complete.
The next common milestone in the journey of coding is to decide what coding language(s) you want to learn. Just like how it’s impossible to master every single language that people speak, it’s impossible to master every single coding language. One of the most popular coding languages for beginners is Python, which I am currently learning right now. Python’s syntax is easy to understand and utilizes many English words. It’s also very versatile, being used in web development to engineering to data science. Another popular beginning coding language is JavaScript, which is essential for web development. Sites like YouTube, Gmail, and Twitter rely on JavaScript to make their displays. Its flexibility and importance to modern browsers make it a friendly choice. For a full list of the best coding languages to learn in 2021, check out the resources section below.
Finally, the last common milestone is to apply your learning, as is the case with all subjects. This means completing a coding project, which won't just test your logic, but also your creativity. I personally am not at this milestone yet so I can’t describe the process in detail, but planning, executing, and finding useful resources to help you as you go are the essential steps. In the end, you will have your very own product to be immensely proud of. On a bigger picture, what learning path you decide to take through your journey of coding completely depends on your learning style. Although books are always helpful, I prefer to spend the bulk of my coding journey learning through online resources. I find that I retain information better this way, since the level of interactivity is much higher. Workshops are also great to gain insight on coding with other, more experienced coders. You can find countless accounts on social media sites who host them, including STEM for FEM on Instagram. Once again, check out the resources section below for a full list of wonderful online resources to learn coding.
Coding combines the two most distinctive traits of the human mind: logic and creativity. Coding is the future, and it just might be your future. So what are you waiting for? Think and create!
Written by:
Resources
Yang, D. (2020, December 29). The 9 Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2021. Retrieved from https://www.fullstackacademy.com/blog/nine-best-programming-languages-to-learn
O'Hara, K. Top 10 Online Resources to Learn How to Code. Retrieved from https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/learn-how-to-code-online
Planning a programming project (article). Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/programming/good-practices/a/planning-a-programming-project