Learning a new programming language is never an easy task for anyone. You have to go through a lot of new concepts, resources, and tools and work on them for the first time. In this article, I will be giving some important tips that every programmer should keep in mind while learning any programming language.
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Tips to Learn Any Programming Language Faster
1. Organize Your Goal
Computer programming languages include Javascript, SQL, Python, C++, Java, PHP, Ruby and many more. Each of these languages has its specific applications. Therefore, you will take a great step forward by trying to know your goal so that you will be able to learn the right programming language. Conversely, if you fail in setting your direction right, you will be beating the air.
2. Become a self-taught programmer
This is important, first and foremost motivate yourself to become a self-taught coder. Most of the successful programs are self-taught, i.e., they choose a programming language like Python or Java (Python is mostly recommended because it is extremely high-level language) and start learning about its syntax with reference to documentation or ebook. According to 2018’s stack Overflow Survey, more than 86% of programmers taught themselves coding.
3. Focus on the fundamentals
One of the most common mistakes people do — is they try to finish the fundamentals as quickly as possible and start the coding part. In this process, they skip a few chapters at the beginning and spend less time with the fundamentals of the subject.
First, you’ll have to understand that this doesn’t work in learning computer programming. You might finish the tutorial or reach the actual coding section fast but it will create a lot of troubles for you in the future. People who learn this way usually stuck at higher levels, easily lost and ultimately have to go back to learn basics.
4. Use the right tools
The primary tool is a computer with the required configuration to run programming software. The software includes bug databases, debuggers, build tools, disassemblers, interface generators, Notepad++ and much more. However, the tools you need depends on the type of programming language you want to learn.
Read, 10 Best IDEs For App Developers And Programmers
5. Dry Run Your Code
Dry run means iterating through each line of your code on the paper before running it on the machine. This habit is known to improve logical thinking and makes the next levels of learning easier and faster. Dry running code is the best way to learn how to program. If you are planning to make a career in programming, try to adopt this habit in the early stage of learning.
6. Code as you learn
Make your learning process active rather than passive. Start juggling with the lines of code as you learn. Do not just sit back and watch tutorials or read notes hoping to implement what you are learning later. You will encounter many roadblocks that will be forcing you to go back and start learning again.
The earlier you start trying out what you are learning, the faster you will learn. In fact, your coding environment should be running concurrently as you learn. The most recommended way of learning is to build a project as you read through the learning material. This way you will be able to learn faster and in a systematic way.
7. Practice with Patience
Practicing is the best way you can improve your coding skill. However, if you skip the basics, the advanced stages will be alerting you that you have missed some parts, in the long run, you may quit. Hence, begin by learning the basics before you forge ahead to a more advanced stage.
8. Stay Motivated
Programming is no doubt an exciting task but it’s also known to be exhaustive. Many times people spend hours on a single bug with no solution. It has the ability to affect your complete schedule of meals and speed, which is definitely not a healthy situation especially if you are young.
You’ll have to remain calm in those days. Our brain also needs some refreshment from time to time. It could be meeting with friends, going on a trip, some sort of exercise or just playing games on your smartphone. Always focus on maintaining a balance between everything and never forget your cool. This will ultimately help you improve focus and learn things fast.
9. Make use of Online Resources
There are many free online sites that provide free resources, including video tutorials, that will teach you computer programming. Therefore, you can start learning the basics of programming from free coding sites, such as Codecademy, FreeCodeCamp, Coursera, edX, Codewars and much more.
Start using StackOverflow, the community which helps you in any of the coding-related issues. You can find many solutions for code and errors. Here is the list of 5 Best Online Communities for Programmers.
Also, Read: 10 Best Programming Websites for Beginners
