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Beginner's Guide: How to Start Learning Coding from Scratch

By: Role Route | 10/15/2024

Beginner's Guide: How to Start Learning Coding from Scratch

Learning to code can seem daunting for total beginners with no prior experience.


However, anyone can start learning coding from scratch by setting realistic goals, utilizing free coding resources, and engaging with helpful online communities for continuous growth.


This beginner's guide will explore the foundational steps to start coding as a novice - from deciding which language to learn first to hands-on practice building projects. You'll discover the many free platforms and materials available and how to leverage communities like Stack Overflow for help when stuck.




Introduction to Coding Fundamentals


Coding is the process of using programming languages to give instructions to computers. As our world grows increasingly digital, coding skills are becoming more and more valuable across industries. Learning coding from scratch opens up new career opportunities, strengthens problem-solving abilities, and enables you to build custom solutions.



Understanding the Coding Landscape


Coding encompasses everything from simple website development using HTML and CSS to complex software engineering with languages like Python and Java. There are hundreds of programming languages, each with their own strengths. As a beginner, it's best to start with easier, versatile languages before specializing.


Some top languages for beginners include:


  • HTML & CSS: The building blocks of web development
  • JavaScript: Adds interactivity to websites
  • Python: General-purpose language great for beginners
  • SQL: Retrieves and organizes data from databases



The best part about learning coding basics is that most of the resources out there are completely free. Structured courses, tutorials, documentation, and communities exist online to support your learning journey.



The Benefits of Learning Coding from Scratch

  • Here are some of the main advantages of starting from the basics:Builds logical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Lays a solid technical foundation to advance upon
  • Allows you to customize software to meet your own needs
  • Opens doors to lucrative tech careers with lots of flexibility

Learning coding from scratch, and not just specific tools, enables you to adapt more readily to new languages. It also makes your skills more transferable across industries.Setting Realistic Goals for Your Coding Journey

  • When setting out to learn coding from scratch, it's important to chunk your learning into achievable milestones:Start small: Focus on learning language basics before tackling big projects
  • Set timed goals: "I will spend 1 hour a day on coding basics for the next 3 months"
  • Focus your learning: Choose one language instead of jumping randomly between them

It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed as a coding beginner. Break your journey down into smaller steps and celebrate small wins along the way. The most important thing is to keep making progress through consistency and commitment.How do I start coding for beginners?

LEARN CODING FUNDAMENTALS IN THESE 8 STEPS

  • Step 1: Ask Yourself, “Why Should I Learn to Code?” Take some time to reflect on your motivations for learning to code. Understanding your goals and aspirations will help guide your learning journey.
  • Step 2: Choose the Right Coding Tools and Software to Get Started. Select beginner-friendly, free coding apps and programs like GitHub, Stack Overflow, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, etc. Leverage online coding platforms to simplify getting started.
  • Step 3: Pick the Right Programming Language to Start Learning. Consider your interests, career goals, and preferred project types when selecting an intro coding language like Python, JavaScript, C++, Java, etc. Focus on one language at a time.
  • Step 4: Start Your First Coding Project. Apply what you learn by beginning a simple coding project. Start small by building a basic website, app, or game to bring concepts to life.
  • Step 5: Write Comments in Your Code. Document your code with comments explaining each section. This builds understanding and sets good coding habits from the start.

Learning to code takes patience, practice, and persistence. But by following these key steps, you'll establish critical foundations for programming success as a beginner.Can I self teach myself coding?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to self-teach coding. With the wealth of high-quality online resources available today, you can gain coding skills through self-directed learning. Here are some tips to get started:Set Clear Goals

Define what you want to achieve. Do you want to build websites, mobile apps, games? Identify a coding language to focus on first like Python, JavaScript, etc. Setting goals will help guide your learning path.


Build Practice Projects

After learning coding concepts, build real projects to apply your knowledge. Start with simple projects and gradually increase complexity as you progress.Participate in Forums

Join developer forums like Stack Overflow to exchange knowledge. Learn from discussions with more experienced coders. The key is to set clear learning goals, use high-quality learning resources consistently, build projects, and engage with coding communities. With determination and regular practice, you can absolutely self-teach yourself coding.Can I learn to code with no computer experience?

  • Yes, you can absolutely learn to code without any prior computer experience. Here are some tips to get started:Take an introductory coding course online. Platforms like freeCodeCamp, Codecademy, and Khan Academy offer great interactive courses for coding beginners. These teach you programming concepts without needing you to install anything on your computer.
  • Learn the basics. Start by getting familiar with essential terms and concepts like algorithms, variables, loops, conditionals, functions, etc. Free beginner coding books and tutorials are easily available online.
  • Join forums and communities. Reddit channels like r/learnprogramming connect you with other coding learners. You can ask questions and get advice on the best resources.
  • Use online code playgrounds. Sites like Repl.it let you write and run code in the browser. Great for practicing languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript without needing special software installed.
  • Develop logical thinking skills. Puzzles, word problems, and brainteasers flex mental muscles helpful for coding. Start small and work upwards in complexity.

The key is beginning with interactive tutorials that abstract away the code writing environment. Focus first on core logic and concepts. As you gain experience, you can then set up a proper coding workspace on a computer.Deciding on the Best Coding Language to Learn First

Choosing your first programming language as a beginner can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! Here are some of the most popular and beginner-friendly options to consider.The Simplicity of Python for Beginners

  • Python is often recommended as the best first language for new coders because of its simple, easy-to-read syntax. Key advantages include:High-level language that reads similarly to English
  • Lots of built-in functionality so you can focus less on nitty-gritty details
  • Huge community support for beginners with extensive tutorials and documentation
  • Versatile for uses like data analysis, machine learning, web backends, and more

With Python, you can start building usable programs quicker than lower-level languages. This helps beginners gain confidence and progress to more complex coding concepts.HTML and CSS: The Building Blocks of Web Development

  • While not programming languages per se, HTML and CSS are essential for web development. Learning them early allows you to:Understand the structure and styling of web pages
  • Quickly build basic websites as you progress to other languages like JavaScript
  • Gain a solid foundation before diving into full stack development

With HTML providing the content structure and CSS the visual styling, they work hand-in-hand for web presentation. Many coding apps and courses use projects like designing websites to teach programming basics to beginners.JavaScript: A Versatile Language for Web and Beyond

  • JavaScript may have a confusing name, but it's an extremely versatile scripting language that runs practically everywhere - especially in web browsers. With JavaScript you can:Add dynamic interactivity to websites
  • Build full stack web apps by combining with HTML/CSS
  • Use it for mobile development, databases, servers, and more

As one of the core languages of web development, JavaScript is a must-learn for aspiring coders. The prevalence of browser-based coding apps makes JavaScript readily accessible for beginners getting started with programming concepts.Exploring Other Languages: C++ and SQL

While less common for absolute beginners, C++ is powerful for system-level programming like operating systems and games. And to store/access data, SQL provides the foundations for database management used in dynamic websites. The best first language depends on your goals - web development, software engineering, data science, etc. But popular beginner-friendly picks like Python, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript open lots of doors.



Exploring Documentation and Tutorials on W3Schools

  • W3Schools is a comprehensive resource for learning web development online. It offers beginner-friendly documentation and tutorials for languages like:HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
  • SQL
  • Python

With detailed explanations of concepts and syntax, annotated code examples to experiment with, and tests to reinforce your knowledge - it's one of the best free coding resources for self-directed learning. As you're starting out, W3Schools lets you build foundational web dev skills at your own pace for free.Engaging with Online Communities on Stack Overflow and Reddit

  • Online communities like Stack Overflow and how to start learning coding from scratch Reddit threads offer great peer support when you're learning to code. As a beginner, don't be afraid to:Ask questions: Creating detailed posts about coding problems you face allows the community to provide helpful solutions.
  • Answer questions within your skill level: Giving back to the community builds your skills and confidence.
  • Participate in discussions: Joining conversations relevant to what you're learning connects you with like-minded peers.

Actively engaging with these coding communities gives you access to a wealth of collective knowledge that can unblock your progress.Finding Coding for Beginners PDFs and eBooks

Search online for free coding PDFs and eBooks to use as extra study material. For example, Raspberry Pi's 'Coding Essentials Guidebook for Developers' covers programming basics in an easy-to-follow format. Leafing through such beginner-focused coding references helps reinforce what you learn through online courses and communities. They summarize key concepts and best practices in a downloadable format for convenient offline access. With abundant free online courses, documentation, communities and books - you can definitely start grasping coding fundamentals without spending any money.Hands-On Practice: Building Projects and Using Coding Apps

Hands-on practice is essential for beginners to apply coding concepts learned in a practical, real-world setting. This section provides guidance on starting simple coding projects, using beginner-friendly coding apps, contributing to open source projects, and practicing with online coding challenges.Starting with Simple Coding Projects

  • When first starting out, focus on small, manageable projects to get comfortable with writing and running code:Build a personal website or blog using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This allows you to showcase your progress. Free hosting options include GitHub Pages or Netlify.
  • Create simple games like tic-tac-toe or a text adventure game with Python or JavaScript. These projects let you practice coding logic and algorithms.
  • Build web or mobile apps that solve real problems, even if basic in scope. Identify issues in your daily life that apps could solve.
  • Start with projects that excite you! Passion will motivate you to persist through the challenges of building something new.

Utilizing Coding Apps for Beginners on PC

  • Interactive coding apps provide a great way to learn programming basics. Here are some top recommendations for PC:Repl.it - All-in-one platform to code in browsers. Supports dozens of languages with video lessons available.
  • Sololearn - Fun way to grasp core concepts with quizzes and challenges across popular languages.
  • Grasshopper - Code by playing mini-games using JavaScript. Great for total beginners.
  • Codecademy - One of the best online places to learn coding interactively across various languages.

These apps emphasize hands-on coding over lectures. Test your skills by building real projects with the tools provided.Contributing to Open Source Projects on GitHub

  • Contributing to open source allows you to:Improve software tools you use daily
  • Solve real issues that impact developers
  • Build a portfolio to showcase coding skills
  • Learn from reviewing others' code
  • Expand your professional network
  • Follow these steps to start:Set up a GitHub account
  • Find projects seeking first-time contributors - Many label entry-level issues
  • Review project guides on how to contribute
  • Submit improvements like bug fixes, updates, or documentation

Start small by fixing typos and bugs. Ramp up contributions as you gain experience.Practicing with Online Coding Challenges

  • Online platforms like HackerRank offer coding challenges to hone your skills:Code challenges improve programming techniques - practice data structures, algorithms, math, machine learning problems and more across multiple languages.
  • Compete in contests to challenge yourself and benchmark skills against peers. These range from college-level coding competitions to global hackathons.
  • Develop portfolio-worthy projects by solving real-world problems posed on these platforms.
  • Prepare for interviews - many companies use similar online assessments during hiring, so these platforms help ready candidates.

Start easy, tracking your progress and performance over time. Persist through failures - some of the most valuable lessons come from debugging errors!