How to master the skill of coding? What is the connection between this and language learning? What personal qualities of yours might suggest that learning to code might be a great choice for you? Read our article to find out!
Programming like learning a foreign language – for everyone! Coding is an ability like any other, which can be acquired from scratch. An analogy is often made between learning to code and mastering a new language. But why is that? When learning a new language, we aim to communicate with others who come from other countries. The same thing happens with coding languages. They are a tool for communicating with machines, since coding is essentially writing down instructions for a computer. The similarity is also in the basics – when starting to learn a new language, we start with understanding basic phrases and words. In coding, this principle is the same. In the initial phase, we need to master the basic commands that allow us to write simple instructions for machines.
The next stage in learning a language is grammar, where we learn the rules and principles for forming sentences and statements. In coding, it is similar. We need to understand the rules and principles of writing code, which allow us to combine basic commands and create simple programs or applications.
Next, learning through experience is key. When we read a text in a new language, we begin to notice familiar phrases and try to understand the whole. In coding, we review code written by experienced programmers and try to understand how a particular program works. We learn from cases.
Practice is key if we want to communicate freely in a new language. It’s exactly the same with coding – by learning through practice, we begin to create more complex code and build applications.
How long does it take to learn programming?
Programming is a field where learning is continuous and endless. IT is a sector that is growing rapidly, so we need to be open to constantly improving our skills.
If you’re just getting started with programming, be prepared to spend about 300-400 hours learning the basics. Is that a lot of time? If you dedicate one hour a day to study, the first stage of learning will take you about a year. However, if you decide to study intensively, devoting 8 hours a day to it, you will reach the same level of skill after only 6-7 weeks. During this time you will learn to write simple programs and applications, which will give you great satisfaction, but at the same time will show how much still lies ahead of you. After this stage, you should have enough knowledge to start working as a junior developer.
Is it difficult to learn programming?
Is learning programming complicated? It depends. Everything rests on your shoulders and depends on your attitude. The learning process will become much simpler if:
- You approach learning programming with enthusiasm and a desire to discover new things. Facing challenges with an attitude of “I can do it!” brings much better results.
- You wonder how various mechanisms work. Do you want to create websites? Do you desire to work for Google, or perhaps build robots? Your passions are key, for the reason that programming should not just be a job for you. It has to be something that you love and that fascinates you.
- You show determination. You are bound to encounter moments of doubt while learning – this is natural. However, if your motivation to learn programming is strong, your reasons for taking this step will help you get through any crisis.
- You are aware that learning happens by making mistakes. By the time you finish your first project, you will have made many corrections to it. It is by analyzing and correcting errors in your code that you will learn the most.
Possessing these qualities, learning to program may be an excellent choice for you.
