Learning programming can be complicated. In this article, I share my tips on becoming a good developer. My way could be different than yours. I started my way into school, and some advice could work if you have a lot of time or have a well-paid job to not worry about money.
Programming is easy if you love it
There is no secret pill on learning something new and complex. You should love what you do. Programming should you drive!
When I started learning programming almost 15 years ago, I wondered how to code something. I borrowed a book about Pascal programming from the library and wrote a joke program to control a plant with if and else.
It was so much fun, and I continued to learn. Sometimes, I switched to something new, like PHP or HTML, because I did all this for fun.
Find what you drive in programming
Programming has many areas. Don’t stick to just one technology. Try different fields. When you find your passion, you learn faster.
Stay open-minded. Be a global explorer in the tech world.
When I started, I experimented with web apps and even reverse engineering. You work with technology every day, so find what inspires you. Recently, I tried plugin development, and if you are interested, you can read my story here. If you love what you do, you will succeed.
Practice a lot
Do not read a lot—practice a lot. Programming should be improved every day by practicing. Find what you want to implement and start digging. If you know little about how to do it, ask Google or ChatGPT. The last one could provide you with an entry point and mentorship.
ChatGPT and other AI chatbots are the perfect tools for learning to program and improve skills. Please do not rely on them too much. You should practice in general yourself and ask only for basic things.
When I started, I programmed many different things in different languages. Then, I found a job as a Junior Java Developer and solved tasks on CodeSignal every day.
The last one helped me feel deeply about Java. I learned much about syntax and code features and could code without Google.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Making mistakes is okay – not making them is bad. The more mistakes you make, the more you learn. It is impossible to learn without making mistakes.
Pro developers are making their way on mistakes and dealing with them. Programming has reactive feedback – if you fail with something – you will get problems as soon as possible.
Solve real problems
The more you solve real problems – the more you become a pro. Coding problems on LeetCode are good. Solving real problems is better. You become a good developer not only for knowing the language. You become because you have the skills to solve problems.
Problems could differ from compilation errors when dealing with business processes in your company.
Improve your skills
Your learning path shouldn’t end with getting a job. I read articles and books every day and discover new technologies. You could improve your skills in the current technological stack by finding best practices for your framework, reading documentation, and improving your code base with it.
What problems are on your way to learn programming? What drove you when you learn? Please share it in the comments, and let’s discuss it.
Follow me on social networks, react and comment the post. Your support means a lot to me.
SOCIAL SHARE CARD GENERATOR