These days, there are a lot resources out there for learning how to code. And many of them are readily available online for free – so choosing one can be overwhelming.
But there's definitely an upside: you don't need to attend a paid bootcamp or university anymore in order to learn how to code. You can teach yourself.
In this article, I will share some tips and info about how to learn to code for free as a beginner. I'll also point you to free learning platforms and resources.
What is Coding?
"Coding" is a commonly used term for computer programming. Some people use it interchangeably with programming, while others would argue they are not entirely the same.
By definition, "code" refers to a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. Computers don't understand human language, so over time, humans have created languages that computers can understand. And developers speak to them through those languages.
Examples of coding languages include HTML, GitHub Markdown, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, among many others.
When you learn how to code, you'll be able to write instructions for computers to follow. This lets you make websites, applications, and software, and do some other cool stuff.
What is Programming?
If coding is the act of writing instructions for a computer to follow, what then is programming?
Many developers view programming as a more advanced term than coding, and a lot of others use both words interchangeably.
Programming still involves writing instructions for the computer to follow, but now data structures and algorithms are important. Some coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and Markdown don't use algorithms and data structures, while others such as JavaScript, Python, Java, and C++ use them heavily.
This brings up a distinction that many developers make. In the web development industry, many developers don't consider HTML to be a "programming language" in a strict sense, because it doesn't perform any logic. It just determines the structure of a website.
On the other hand, languages like JavaScript, Python, C++, and Java, are all "official" programming languages because they handle complex functionalities and interactivity.
Some developers refer to anyone who codes in just HTML and CSS as a coder, and those who code in JavaScript, Java, C++, and other programming languages as programmers.
So you could say that all programmers are coders, but not all coders are programmers. But not everyone feels this way, so it's important to do your own research and learn the skills before you take a side :)
You can read more about the distinction between programming and coding here.
Why Should You Learn How to Code?
The world is becoming a global village. And coding is a big reason it's happening.
There are tons of reasons why you should learn how to code, and I will touch on some of them here.
First of all, learning to code greatly enhances your analytical and problem-solving skills.
Your earning potential increases: there are senior developers who make $400,000 a year. So by learning how to code, you can live out your dreams and become financially secure.
You can work for the biggest tech companies: learning how to code open up doors for you to work at the biggest tech firms like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Facebook. If you're a fan of FAANG, you should definitely consider learning to code.
You can work independently: a lot of developers have years of experience in their respective industries and have never worked for any other person or company as an employee. By working for yourself, you work on your own schedule, at your own pace, and on your own terms.
How to Learn How to Code for Free
As I pointed out earlier, there are tons of resources online for learning how to code. You can find any resource you want by searching on Google, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Learn to Code on YouTube
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