Is it possible to learn code by yourself?
Is it possible to learn code by yourself? Can someone teach himself code from scratch without a tutor or taking some sort of course? Well, to answer this question, we talked to self-taught programming guru and Runrex CEO Tony Guo on how to teach yourself code and this is what the revered programmer had to say;
Programming is very easy and equally complicated depending on how you want to perceive it. If you look at code like a series of thousands of lines that make very little sense to you, then you’ll forever be stuck with the notion that programming is difficult. If on the other hand you look at code like a set of algorithms aimed at solving a series of problems by providing the most viable solution, then you will perceive code very differently.
Learning code equally depends on your perspective of programming as a whole and your willingness to challenge yourself and learn something new. If you dedicate enough time and resources to teaching yourself code, then you can quickly and easily become well versed in the field and in no time, you’ll start creating your own websites and apps. So, how to you teach yourself code?
How to Teach Yourself Code by Tony Guo
Thanks to selfless programming gurus and non-profit organizations willing to share resources with willing learners, there are very many avenues you can use to learn code in the world today. Here is a look at some of the easiest and most convenient ways of teaching yourself code and the perks of each;
Ways to teach yourself code
Enroll to online programming classes
There are very many online programming courses which you can take to teach yourself code. Although by taking the classes you will be receiving tutelage from another professional, the honors will be on you to understand the dynamics of programming and put it to good use.
Although most of these online courses require you to pay some amount of money, there are others which are completely free. The premium courses offer more resources and they have more flexible schedules. Depending on the number of hours you enroll to, the course can last anything from 3 months to 6 months and will cost you anything from $20 to $500 depending on the language you are learning.
Teach yourself from scratch without taking a course
The other way you can learn code, is by equipping yourself with programming skills without signing up for any online classes or taking any course whatsoever. This method of teaching yourself code takes lots of time and requires a lot of dedication to accomplish.
As earlier on mentioned, there are very many resources online that can be put to use. From Youtube tutorials, coding games to eBooks on programming, you can find sufficient information on literally any programming language.
Besides online resources, there are books in public libraries and local bookstores which you can use to learn how to code. A lot of people teaching themselves how to program often overlook books but little do they know that books offer more comprehensive coverage of each particular programming language. Authors of programming books have a vast understanding of whatever language the book is about and will therefore have very comprehensive explanations of details.
Attend boot camps
The other quick way to teach yourself how to code, is by attending developers’ bootcamps. Development bootcamps are a series of programs offered to people interested in learning coding and development of computer software and systems over a period of time. The training program can run for as long as 2 weeks.
In that period, novices interact with professional programmers with knowledge in the field and they compare notes on maters coding. Bootcamps are very ideal for newbies because they offer them a good chance to not only learn something new but to interact with seasoned programmers and get the mentorship they need.
Tips on how to teach yourself code by Tony Guo
Irrespective of the means you choose to teach yourself code, here are a few tips that will make your journey to becoming a full-fledged programmer a little shorter and easier;
Dedicate as much time as possible- coding requires a lot of time and dedication for you to master both the basics and fundamentals. Set aside at least 3 hours daily to learning new code.
Practice as much as possible- If you can’t put what you’ve learnt to test, then chances are you’ll easily and quickly forget it. Practice as much as possible and learning code will be much easier.
Consult from mentors- In programming, you need to have a mentor; someone to guide you and advise you on how to proceed. If possible, get a mentor that you can physically meet with and discuss matters programming.
Join programming forums- there are very many online forums which offer valuable information on programming. Join the relevant forums and do not shy away from asking questions and seeking clarification. Programmers are awesome people and will always look to help you out if you are in need.
