How do Beginners Learn Coding?

Coding has a reputation for being a complex and challenging skill to learn, but in fact, almost anyone can learn to code. The key is to do your research, figuring out exactly what it is that you want to learn and then determining the best way to learn it. There are a number of different ways to learn coding, including teaching yourself, but many beginners find that the easiest and quickest option is to enroll in a live class where they can receive expert guidance and feedback.

Getting Started with Coding

Most experts advise that if you want to learn coding, your first step should be to think about why you want to learn. There are hundreds of different coding languages and tools, and by knowing why you are learning, you can make a better decision about where to start. In a February 22, 2022 post on the Hackernoon website, programmer Abram explains that the learning process is likely to be easier if you start out by focusing on what you’d like to do with your coding skills. He says, “I recommend starting your programming adventure, even before you write a single line of code, with a decision about a concrete programming project you’d like to create.” He explains that by doing this, you’ll know which tools you need to focus on learning, and you’ll be able to apply those tools to a project. In terms of specific projects, he advises not being too ambitious at the beginning, He says, “Smaller is better in projects. Deciding to start with making the next Google is ambitious, but probably will get you stuck in the weeds before you make much progress.”

After you’ve thought about your goals, you can pick a language to focus on. Some of the languages that experts suggest include Python, JavaScript, and Java. You’ll also need a place to write your code. For instance, you can use a code editor, which can also help you manage and edit your code more easily. An example of a code editor is Visual Studio Code, which is free. Once you know what language you want to use, and have a place to write it, you can get started with a simple coding project. As a beginner, even these simple first steps can be intimidating, and it can be helpful to enroll in a coding class where an instructor can explain what tools you need, and how to use them.

The First Steps When Learning Coding

As a beginning coder, you’ll start with the basics of reading and writing code. There are hundreds of different coding languages, but most beginner classes start with one, or a few, of these. You’ll learn about the grammar and syntax of the language(s) that you are focused on and how to arrange words and phrases. You’ll also learn how to find errors in your code and how to fix them, which is called debugging.

In addition, you’ll learn how to use important development tools that can help improve your efficiency as a programmer. For example, most classes teach students how to use code editing applications like Visual Studio Code. These applications are designed to make coding easier and faster by offering programmers a range of development tools that can streamline or automate the process of writing code. Students may also learn to use tools like Git to track version changes. Another tool is a framework, which is a collection of prewritten code that you can build on. Frameworks are a common coding tool because they can help speed up the development process. Each framework is built around a specific programming language. An example of a framework is React.

Problem-solving skills are an important part of coding, and when you learn coding, you’ll develop your problem-solving skills and learn how to apply them to the coding process. LinkedIn explains that these skills are necessary because when you code, you will constantly be solving problems. In an article titled “Why Are Problem Solving Skills Essential for Programming?” it says, “Problem solving skills are essential for understanding the problem and its requirements, breaking it down into smaller and manageable parts, choosing the best tools and methods to solve it, implementing and testing your solution, debugging and optimizing your code, and communicating and documenting your solution.”

Free Coding Tools for Beginners

There are many different free coding tools that beginners can use. If you don’t know much about coding, you can use free resources to get an overview of what coding actually involves and to learn some fundamentals, and you can even start working on a few basic coding exercises. By doing this, you can decide whether or not you’re ready to commit to a formal coding class.

A number of different websites offer free coding tutorials. For instance, YouTube has short free tutorials focused on a wide range of different coding topics. Free tutorials cover many different aspects of coding, introducing a variety of different topics and showing different coding methods. You’ll also find tutorials and other free resources offered by many coding schools. These schools offer this free information to help prospective students get a better understanding of this field before they commit to a formal class. For instance, Noble Desktop offers a number of free coding seminars that cover introductory information. Intro to Front End Web Development is a seminar that covers front end tools like HTML, CSS, flexbox, grid, Bootstrap, and JavaScript. Intro to Python Fundamentals is another free Noble Desktop seminar and is intended for anyone who is new to coding and wants to get a better understanding of what Python is all about. In addition to its free seminars, Noble Desktop also has a coding blog where you can find more information about coding.

Coding games can be another effective way to strengthen your coding skills. There are many free coding games online. In most games, you’ll focus on a specific coding language. An example of a game is Codewars, which is a ninja-themed game where you solve a variety of different puzzles and coding challenges. In this game, you can choose from many different languages including Python, SQL, C++, and JavaScript. This is just one of a vast number of coding game options that you’ll find online.

Live Coding Training for Beginners

If you’re a beginner and you want to learn to code, there are a number of good reasons to consider enrolling in a live training class. Live classes can be taken in-person at a training facility, or you can learn live online, which means that you log in online and attend via Zoom or a similar platform. With a live class, you’ll follow a comprehensive curriculum that starts with important foundational concepts and then moves on to more advanced skills. You’ll be guided through the learning process by an experienced instructor who can answer your questions and provide regular feedback on your progress. Feedback is an important part of learning because it allows you to learn from both your successes and failures, and constantly improve your coding skills. By learning from an instructor, you’ll also be able to benefit from their years of experience. For instance, instructors often share tips and tricks and common coding mistakes to avoid, all of which could take you years to figure out by yourself. 

With a live class, you’ll learn along with a group of other students, which can also have benefits. Many people find that they learn more quickly and gain a deeper understanding of the material by talking about coding with other students and working through problems as a group. In addition, learning with a group can help you learn to work effectively with a group. This is important because while coding has a reputation as a solo activity, in reality it is frequently a collaborative process. Another benefit of being part of a coding class is that it can give you access to valuable networking opportunities.

The Next Step

After you’ve mastered the basics of coding, you can build on your skills by taking a more advanced class or a career-focused course like a certificate program. Many schools offer a variety of coding classes, both short and long. For instance, you could take a short class focused on a specific coding skill like JavaScript or React. Another option is to invest in a certificate program, which will cover a broad range of coding skills and prepare you for a career in a field like software engineering or web development.

Many coding-related careers have high salaries and are expected to experience strong future growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a federal agency that collects and analyzes labor market statistics. It reports that the median pay for a Software Developer is about $130,000 per year and predicts 25 percent job growth in this profession over the next ten years. The average U.S. job growth rate is only 3 percent. Web Developers and Digital Designers also use coding. According to BLS, people who work in this field earn approximately $80,000 per year. It predicts 16 percent job growth between 2022 and 2032. Data science is another field that involves coding. BLS reports that Data Scientists earn more than $100,000 per year, and predicts 35 percent job growth over the next ten years. 

Learn Coding with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers a number of live coding classes. You can learn in-person at Noble’s Manhattan facility, or live online from any location that you choose. Classes are immersive and hands-on, and are designed to leave you ready to work in a professional coding role. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department and all of its classes come with the option of a free retake within one year in case you want to refresh your skills.

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.

Finally, this school also runs a number of certificate courses that will cover a broad range of coding skills over a number of weeks. The Software Engineering Certificate is popular. This comprehensive, multi-week course is designed for students who want to become a Software Engineer or a Full Stack Developer. It covers front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. You’ll learn a variety of front end tools including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll learn how to use Flexbox and Grid for layout and adapting to different screen sizes, and Git for version control. In addition, you’ll learn about JavaScript, including data types, loops, and variables. Instructors will also cover the JavaScript library, React. As part of the course, you’ll create a working desktop application with React and deploy it using AWS. In this course, you’ll also learn about 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.

Another popular certificate program is the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate. This course covers everything you need to know to create a website from scratch. You’ll learn both front end and back end skills. Some of the specific skills covered include HTML and CSS, JavaScript, MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js. You’ll also learn about databases, APIS, databases, server environments, and interactivity. Ten one-on-one mentoring sessions are included. As part of the course, you can also choose to attend Noble’s SQL Bootcamp or WordPress Bootcamp for free. Finally, this hands-on program includes working on real projects that can be used for a portfolio.