Even in 2019, coding is still one of the most in-demand job skills companies are looking for. In fact, the job growth for development and programming is only expected to continue to rise in the upcoming years. So there is no better time to learn to code than right now.
Unfortunately, for many people, learning to code can be a long and cumbersome process that involves a lot of hard work, trial and error and long days. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. This article is not only going to look at a few ways to help you learn to code in 2019, but also make sure you have fun along the way.
Learn By Doing
The single best way to learn to code is to learn by actually doing. It is one thing to watch videos on coding and read guides, but to actually improve, you need to actually code. The sooner you start working on and tinkering with the code, the better.
If you just read and watch things without ever actually implementing them, it will take you much longer to learn. Sure, you might not know what you’re doing at first, but that is half the fun of it. Eventually, you will begin to understand more and more about coding simply by experimenting with it.
Don’t Forget About the Tools
If you want to learn to code successfully, you also need to be sure to familiarize yourself with other software, apps or programs you might also need to use. This can include everything from IDEs, to monitoring tools and even log aggregators. You need to know what these are, and how they can help your journey to become a better programmer.
For example, log aggregators will centralize your logs and keep them organized and make them much more searchable. This can help with managing errors, issues and other events. More information on the benefits of log aggregation can be found here. Actually coding is only half the battle, as most developers use a range of other services or tools during development, and you need to know how to use these as well.
Try Out Some Coding Games
The internet is full of guides and walkthroughs to help you learn city things about coding. However, if having some fun along the way is your goal, you might want to give some coding games a try. These will teach you the fundamentals and other aspects of coding, without it being dry or painful.
There are coding games for a variety of different levels of skills as well. So whether you are brand new to coding, or have been doing that for a little, coding games can help. They can also spice things up if you are getting burnt out when it comes to coding.
Take Breaks
Speaking of being burnt out, that is something that frequently occurs when learning to code. Many people will spend hours and hours in front of their computer screen trying to learn the basics of programming. Sitting for long periods of time coding can lead to issues such as problems focusing, body soreness, eye strain and more.
Because of this, it is a good idea to take frequent breaks. Getting up, stretching and walking around for a few minutes can help ensure you don’t get overwhelmed from all the programming. You will return feeling focused, rejuvenated and productive. No one can completely learn to code overnight, so there is no harm in making sure you take breaks every now and then to avoid burnout.
In conclusion, hopefully this article has been able to help you not only learn how to code, but also to have fun at the same time.
Writer, #PNW local, and digital marketing veteran.