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Tips for beginner programmers ๐ฏ
Tips for beginner programmers
Table of contents
No headings in the article.
๐ Be patient. you wonโt learn quickly. it will take time.
๐ Listen to all the advice, but donโt follow all the advice
๐ Try to ignore too much enthusiasm (hype) and too much negativity as well (e.g. โPHP is shitโ - not true)
๐ When doing tutorials, type the code. Donโt do copy/paste. Subtle but big difference. The code will be yours
๐ You learn by doing, not by watching other people do. Find a problem, even a simple one. Use code to create a solution. Create tons of little websites/apps.
๐ Start by understanding the problem. Once you understand the problem, coding is the easy part.
๐ Simple is better than overly complex. Donโt write code for a future that might never exist. Simple code working now is better than complex code that might work for a future scenario. Donโt be afraid that it looks too simple and not enough โengineeredโ
๐ Work on little projects that are interesting to you. Work on lots of projects. Quantity and spending tons of hours exposing yourself to different things is brute-forcing learning
๐ Find a way to stay consistent. For example every day at 6AM you spend 1 hour learning programming. Make it a habit.
๐ Donโt wait until you check all the boxes in a job ad to apply. You never know. Also, make tons of applications because you might not find the best company for you right at the first try.
๐ Skills apply across different programming languages
๐ You never finish learning. you have to always stay up to date to avoid becoming obsolete
๐ Learn from different sources
๐ Donโt focus too much on tools
๐ Donโt think you need a degree and that you wonโt become a developer without a degree.
๐ Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes are part of the learning process.
๐ Itโs ok to use Google for every little problem you have, searching for a solution. Programmers share every problem and solution online, and if they didnโt, everyone would be challenged by the same issues.
๐ Instead, they share the solutions so you can go on with your day
๐ Motivation and curiosity are the best tools in your arsenal
๐ Find a community. Itโs more fun with peers.
๐ We have many different languages. Different people like different languages. Also, different languages let you do different things. If Python does not stick into your head, maybe JavaScript will. And vice-versa.
๐ When recreating projects you see on YouTube or in a course, always try to add your own unique spin and features to it. Make it your own. This can be a project you then use as portfolio and show to prospective employers.
๐ Practice using a rubber duck. Get a plastic duck or perhaps your cat or anything near your desk.
๐ When you hit a problem, explain the problem to the duck. Many times the problem resolves itself.
๐ Walks or showers work wonders to fix problems. And sleep.
๐ Have fun!