Here is another blog on how to become a programmer in just ten days! False.
This blog is for people who are looking to become passionate about coding and computer science.
I don’t believe anyone can become a professional programmer unless you fall in love with it.
A computer programmer or coder is skilled in building applications that contribute to making people’s lives easier.
Technology is constantly evolving every minute, and there will always be something new to work on. The opportunities are endless, and the future is looking good.
Today, hundreds of programming languages are available to create various applications.
The good news is that you don’t have to learn to code in all of them to survive in this field.
Key Takeaways
- Find out about programming and why people do it.
- Explore the various programming languages that are relevant today.
- Educate yourself on the truths about programming.
- Find out about the best opportunities in computer science.
So what does a programmer do?
What does a Programmer do?
A professional programmer or software developer writes, modifies, tests and executes code to create computer applications that manage simple to the most complex tasks.
‘Coding’ is a term used to define writing instructions for the device to perform tasks in computer language.
Programmers are responsible for developing an application from scratch, i.e., designing the framework to testing and launching the application on smart devices.
Now let’s look at the steps involved to become a successful programmer.
How to Become a Programmer?
Step 1: Explore and Identify
Essentially, the first step would be to explore and identify the area of interest that made you choose to become a programmer.
Different areas in computer science would require you to learn specific programming languages.
For example, if you want to design websites, you must be proficient in HTML, JavaScript, PHP and CSS.
Step 2: Learn the Basics
Learn from scratch!
Only a firm foundation supports the skyscraper that touches the clouds.
Today, many freshers from engineering colleges face many issues at work because they didn’t work on the basics.
Learning the basics also makes it easier to master multiple programming languages.
The best way to learn a programming language is by working on your own personal project side-by-side.
The possibilities are endless. Working on a personal project will teach you how to apply the skills you learn along the way.
It can also be used as an asset during interviews or on a portfolio if you become a freelancer.
Step 3: Learn Python
Every coder should learn to code in Python because it is the most straightforward programming language to master.
Python is the most versatile programming language to learn and can be applied to code in almost every environment.
It can develop web applications, machine learning and artificial intelligence, game development, data science, and desktop GUI.
Python is used extensively in data science to organize, analyze and extract information.
I recommend reading Automate the Boring Stuff with Python if you’re a bookworm.
Here is a free online python course for beginners.
Step 4: Practice, Practice, Practice
I can’t stress enough how important it is to learn, practice and implement each programming language.
It is confusing and challenging to choose the relevant programming languages to learn when there are over 700 of them.
Let me make it easier by providing a list of the programming languages to learn apart from Python if you’re a beginner in 2022.
Javascript
The entire web development universe revolves around Javascript today. A versatile programming language used to develop powerful web apps from scratch.
ReactJS and NodeJS are widely used libraries in Javascript to create a website’s front-end and back-end, respectively.
Blockchain developers use Solidarity, which is syntactically similar to Javascript, to work on apps in the Ethereum network.
NodeJS is also used to create web serves and gaming applications.
GO
Golang, similar to Python, is another versatile programming language developed by Google in 2007 which is used extensively by developers in various domains.
It is the 14th most popular programming language used in 2022. It is easy to learn and was developed for large codebases to improve programming productivity.
Golang is scalable with easy syntaxes and is not object-oriented like Java and Python; also used by corporations like Google, Uber, Paypal, Soundcloud and Twitch.
There are numerous free online videos and books for beginners interested in learning Golang.
Java
Java is a simple object-oriented programming language used by 90% of developers in the world today.
Java is also a beginner-friendly language that is easy to understand and implement. It is used to develop android applications and games and extensively in machine learning. Java is free to use and can run on all platforms.
Once completed, the Java code is converted to bytecode, making it difficult to decode or decipher. Therefore it is secure.
Java is now replaced with a new static programming language called Kotlin, which is open source, free and easy to use.
Kotlin is not only limited to use for the development of android apps; it is also used for front-end development.
It is widely used to develop Google apps.
PHP
PHP is the one-stop-shop type of programming language used to develop any website, from a simple landing page on WordPress to a complex website like Facebook.
Nowadays, developers can code websites and web apps entirely in PHP. It is a kind of language that will stick around for a long time due to its numerous features for beginners and advanced professionals.
It is also the most secure programming language for the internet, with built-in protection against viruses and threats.
PHP is as versatile as Java or Python when it comes to usage and adaptability with other languages like HTML and CSS.
Here are a few PHP tutorial videos for beginners that you might find very useful.
I also recommend reading this book for a more detailed approach and understanding.
Mysql
Every full-stack developer is required to know how to work and manage databases. A database is an application that helps organise and store data in a webserver.
Mysql is a relational database management system that uses SQL, a query language, to store, handle, modify and delete data.
SQL is straightforward to learn and implement, even for beginners. It goes hand-in-hand with the other programming languages used to code websites and web apps.
Here is a link that will give you a complete understanding of Mysql.
Step 5: Look for Jobs or Internships
Of course. The most daunting task for last. A beginner should always consider enrolling in an internship before seeking a job to make it less daunting.
Internships are an opportunity to learn valuable skills and industrial experience, which are essential for every professional.
Verzeo offers professional internship courses with projects in various areas of computer science like Artificial Intelligence, Full Stack Web Development, Machine Learning with Python, Cloud Computing( Microsoft Azure and AWS), Graphic Design, UI/UX etc.
A role that has always been in demand for a while now is that of a Full Stack Developer.
A full-stack developer is skilled in front-end and back-end development, from coding in different programming languages to graphic designing and database management.
While applying for jobs, it is crucial to have a descriptive resume or CV listing the skills and describing the projects in detail to give the employer some insight into your background.
Here is a link to the Top 10 Jobs in the Tech Industry with detailed role descriptions and salaries.
A few myths have been making their way into this field, and I’m about to bust them for you!
Myths Around How to Become a Programmer
Myth: You have to go to college to learn how to code.
Truth: No. It is not necessary to spend lakhs to learn how to code. All the information you need is available on the internet and then some more.
Myth: You have to be good at maths to learn how to code.
Truth: It is an advantage to be good at maths, but it is not necessary to be a mathematician to code as long as you can use logic to break down the problem into smaller pieces and solve it patiently.
Myth: The best programming language is, of course.
Truth: There are over 700 programming languages used to write different types of applications. Hence there is no superior programming language. You should pick a programming language you like to code and stick to it.
Myth: It only takes a few months to master programming.
Truth: This statement does make sense because nobody can master programming. There will always be something new to learn and new problems to solve. Technology is constantly evolving every day, trying to solve various issues. Therefore nobody can truly master programming.
Conclusion
I hope this blog has given you all the information you need to know about how to learn to program and make a career out of it.
There will always be competition in any field, but the key is to make yourself stand out from the herd and be different no matter what you do.
It is essential to stay on top of your game in this field by updating your daily knowledge and learning new skills to survive.
Let us all commit to learning and growing each day! Best of luck!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are HTML and CSS?
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, which is the programming language used to build the infrastructure of a website. CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheet, used to design the front end of the website.
What is the difference between a designer and a developer?
A designer’s role is to work on the application’s front end. A developer works on building the front-end and the back-end of the application through code.
What computer programs do people use to write code?
Most developers use Microsoft Visual Studio as it supports all the programming languages.
