Interest in learning to code is growing. Campaigns such as Hour of Code, run by the US nonprofit Code.org, introduce computer science to people who might not otherwise try it.
I am also encouraged by initiatives that help women and girls participate in coding and technology.
I saw this interest first-hand when a Facebook post offering to help people learn coding received responses from people with many different backgrounds.
There are several ways to begin, including coding bootcamps, school and college courses, workplace programs and community groups. A course can provide structure, but progress also depends on practice, feedback and persistence. Angela Duckworth’s talk on grit explores that last quality.
Write down why
Write down what you want to do with coding, in a notebook or an editor such as Sublime Text or Visual Studio Code. You might be curious about how software works, want to make a website or be considering a career change. Each is a reasonable starting point, and your goal can change as you learn.
- Explore an interest. Try a short introductory course or a small exercise. You do not need to commit to a career before finding out whether you enjoy programming.
- Build something useful. A website or simple application gives you a reason to practise. Keep the first version small enough to finish and learn from.
- Prepare for a career change. Talk with working developers, try tutorials and investigate the skills needed for roles that interest you. Use that experience to plan your next steps.
Make time
Choose a practice schedule you can sustain. Thirty minutes a day may be a useful starting point, but there is no fixed number of hours that guarantees expertise. Practise regularly, seek feedback and build projects that stretch your current skills.
Get to know the history and context
Learning how computers, software and networks work will give your coding exercises context. Code.org has a collection of introductory videos. Books, blogs and conversations with developers can also help you connect individual lessons to the larger picture.
Plot your next move
- Have a project in mind. Choose something you would like to use or share. It could be a small app that solves an everyday problem, a personal website or a prototype for a community organization. Start with a manageable version.
- Use online resources. I have met developers who began with courses on edX, Codecademy, freeCodeCamp or Coursera. The freeCodeCamp community offers a curriculum and places to ask questions. I have also learned from questions and answers on Stack Overflow and tutorials on W3Schools. Choose a resource that fits your goal and work through its exercises.
- Find a partner or a community. Getting stuck is part of programming, including for experienced developers. A partner for pair programming or a community where you can ask questions can make the process less isolating. Look for local groups on Meetup or through community organizations.
- Read and learn from others. Developer blogs, talks and books can show how people approach problems and learn from mistakes. The collections 7 Blogs You Should Really Read If You Are A Student Programmer and 15 Female Web Developers To Follow On Instagram were among the resources I shared when writing this article. Choose books and tutorials suited to the languages and projects you want to explore.
I hope these suggestions help you find a starting point. A small finished project, regular practice and constructive feedback can give you a useful foundation for what comes next.
Current learning resource: MDN Learn web development.