What is the Fastest Way to Learn Coding?

If you want to learn coding and you want to learn it quickly, there are a few different options out there for you. This article discusses some of the different coding training options, including how fast they are. The choice of which option works best for you will depend on many different factors including your goals, schedule, and budget. 

What Is Coding?

Coding is the process of translating instructions into a language called code that can be understood by computers. It is the basis of digital technology, and as this technology has become increasingly widespread, coding has become a sought-after skill. The first coding languages were developed in the 1940s and 1950s. Over time, programmers have continued to create new languages to address new computing needs, and today there are hundreds of different coding languages. Popular ones include HTML, JavaScript, Python, and SQL.

Ways to Learn Coding

Free Resources

There are many different free coding resources online. For example, schools like Noble Desktop provide free coding resources so that students can get a better understanding of this field before they commit to a class. YouTube also offers many short free coding tutorials, and there are also many online forums where experienced coders are often happy to offer free advice. If you want to learn a few basic coding skills or a specific technique, then free resources can be one of the quickest options. Locating a free resource can sometimes be as fast as running a Google search. However, if you want to learn coding in order to work as a professional in this field, you’re unlikely to get the type of education you’ll need by using free resources. Instead, you’ll probably need to enroll in a paid class. Paid classes are generally much more comprehensive. In addition, most come with expert guidance and the assurance that you’re getting accurate and up-to-date information.

Introductory Classes

An introductory class is definitely a fast way to learn coding. Most introductory classes only take a matter of hours or days to complete, which makes them one of the quickest ways to learn this skill. These classes are generally designed for beginners and cover the fundamentals of coding. If you plan to use coding at a professional level, you’ll probably need to take more than an introductory class, however, if you want to gain some basic skills or get a better idea of whether you want to work in a coding-related field, then an introductory class can be a great option. Introductory classes often come with a variety of flexible scheduling options. In many cases, you’ll find both in-person and live online classes, in addition to weekday, weekend, and evening options.

On-Demand Classes

If you’re a beginner and you want to learn some coding skills or learn more about whether or not this field is for you, like introductory classes, on-demand classes can be a great option. With an on-demand class, the material is pre-recorded and you work through it at whatever pace you want. That means that you decide how fast the course is; if you’re motivated to finish, you can get through it quickly, or if you’d rather work more slowly, that is also an option. If you want to work professionally in a coding-related career, an on-demand class is unlikely to be comprehensive enough, but it can be a good way to start learning. If you decide that you’re serious, you can then invest in a live class and learn more under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Certificate Programs

Coding certificates generally take a number of weeks or months to complete, and so many people don’t consider them to be a quick way to learn coding. However, these courses are much more comprehensive than introductory classes or on-demand classes, and you’re learning a lot more over those weeks or months. A certificate program is designed to get you career-ready, so if you want to learn all the skills you need to work in a coding-related career, a certificate program is actually a relatively quick option. In comparison, a college degree--which will also prepare you to work in a coding-related career--takes years to complete.

Certificate programs are accelerated, which means that they are designed to teach you as much as possible in a relatively short amount of time. They are designed for students who need to learn a new set of skills but can’t devote years of their time to school. Because they are designed to prepare you for a career in coding, certificate programs typically include career support. For instance, you might get help creating a resume, building a portfolio, and preparing for job interviews. Many programs also devote time to helping students create a strong portfolio of work that they can use to showcase their skills to potential employers or clients.

Learn Coding with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is a coding and design school based in New York City and it offers many different types of coding classes, with both short classes that can help you quickly master the basics of coding, and longer, more comprehensive courses where you can develop the skills that you’ll need to code in a professional setting. Its coding classes can be taken in-person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include the option of a free retake within one year.

If you’re looking for a short coding class, Noble offers a beginner class called Web Development with HTML & CSS, where you can learn to create webpages by coding with HTML and CSS. In this class, you’ll learn to use HTML to create webpages that have text and images. You’ll also learn to use CSS for styling content, creating centered page layouts, adding background images, style navigation, and for making responsive pages that adapt to various screen sizes. If you already know the basics of HTML and CSS, you might be more interested in Noble’s Advanced HTML and CSS class. This class covers a variety of advanced topics including SVG, CSS variables, gradients, shadows, positioning, transitions, transforms, and responsive images.

Noble Desktop also offers many bootcamps. The Python for Data Science Bootcamp is a multi-day course that starts with Python basics and takes you to the start of machine learning with Python. You’ll begin by covering fundamentals like writing statements and expressions, creating variables, and working with different data types. After that, you’ll learn about structuring programs, which includes using conditional statements and control flow tools. The next part of the bootcamp is focused on arrays and dataframes and covers importing and cleaning data using NumPy and Pandas. Finally, you’ll learn to analyze and visualize data. This includes working with key data science libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib. This class also comes with a one-on-one bonus training session.

Another bootcamp option is the FinTech Bootcamp. This course is designed to help you gain the skills that you’ll need for an entry-level position in data science and financial technology, and covers a variety of in-demand finance and data skills. You’ll learn Python fundamentals, including advanced libraries. You’ll also learn to use Python for data visualizations and financial analysis. The bootcamp also covers working with SQL to query databases. This bootcamp can be taken either full-time or part-time. It includes six one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Noble Desktop also offers a variety of certificate programs that include coding. One popular option is the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate. This course covers everything you need to know to create a website from scratch. You’ll learn a variety of both front end and back end skills. These include HTML and CSS, JavaScript, Express.js, MongoDB, React, and Node.js. You’ll also learn about databases, APIS, interactivity, and server environments. You’ll receive ten one-on-one mentoring sessions. As part of the bootcamp, you will also have the option to attend Noble’s SQL Bootcamp or WordPress Bootcamp for free. Finally, you’ll work on real projects that can be used for a portfolio. 

Another popular Noble Desktop option is the Software Engineering Certificate. This is a comprehensive, multi-week course designed for students who want to become a Software Engineer or a Full Stack Developer. You’ll learn about front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. This includes learning a variety of front end tools including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also learn Flexbox and Grid for layout and adapting to different screen sizes, and Git for version control. The program also covers JavaScript, and the JavaScript library, React. As part of the course, you’ll create a working desktop application with React and deploy it using AWS. In addition, the course covers Python, including syntax, dictionaries, sorting algorithms, and custom functions. Finally, you’ll learn to use Django and Django Rest. Twelve one-on-one mentoring sessions are included, and you’ll also create a portfolio.