5 Must-Have Resources for Learning Coding Independently
The tech realm is an enormous one that you could get lost in. It consists of varied areas, experiences, organizations, individuals, and many more that make it one of the richest industries in the world. Being this diverse and advanced encourages many people to aim for and be a part of the tech world. However, since it is very diverse, joining the tech world may be a challenge. That is why tech enthusiasts tackle the market from the most common area nowadays, which is app development. As much as getting involved in app development is exciting, it is also not an easy mission and requires many skills. Among these skills lies the most important one that either helps or hinders people, which is coding. But the important question is: can you learn how to code on your own?
In this article, we will explore the process of coding and how important it is for app development. In addition, we will discuss whether or not an individual can learn how to code on his own and the best ways to do so.
What is Coding and How Important It Is?
So, what is coding for people who are unaware of it? Coding is one of the most important processes, not only for software and website development. It is the process of crafting a set of comprehensive actions and instructions for a machine to follow precisely. Just like you have many languages you use to communicate with people around you, machines and computers also have one. The process of coding can be considered as talking with machines and computers in the language they understand (also known as programming languages) to order them to perform certain tasks.
The major importance of coding lies in its ability to facilitate communication between us as humans and machines. This has enabled us to unravel and take great advantage of machines’ capabilities, which has allowed us to come up with exceptional creations.
Most of the time, coding can get mixed up with programming. However, there is a major difference. In the tech industry, programming is the main tree that branches out all other processes, including coding. As we mentioned, closing is only associated with writing commands and communicating with machines in their languages. However, programming is much broader, as it not only includes coding but also other processes like planning, testing, maintenance, and so on.
Reasons Why You Should Learn How to Code
In addition to being cool and special, I mean, communicating with machines? It is dope. Coding is a very important process and skill that many should be reinforced with. There are many reasons why you should learn how to code and how beneficial it could be. But for now, let us start with three.
Unlocking Creativity
There is both an art and a science to coding. Although it necessitates the use of logic and the correct structure of the language, it also provides limitless room for individual expression. You can bring your ideas to life through code, whether you’re making digital artwork, an interactive tale, or a user interface. Learning to code allows people to express themselves creatively, try out new ideas, and expand the limits of what can be accomplished in the digital world. Learning to code opens up previously unthinkable avenues for innovators to realize their ideas.
Building Digital Literacy
Emerging technologies and movements to digitize everything are all around us. It is now vital to use digital tools and resources effectively to do daily chores, gain access to information, and participate in the digital ecosystem in today’s highly digitalized society. The ability to read and write computer code is crucial for developing one’s digital fluency and realizing technology’s full potential. In addition, the ability to code is a foundation of digital literacy, which is essential for many reasons, including but not limited to solving technological problems, assessing digital goods, and making the most of technology for one’s career and personal development. Furthermore, being tech-savvy empowers individuals to steer their digital lives in a positive direction, safeguard their privacy, and confidently embrace new technology.
Empowering Entrepreneurship
Technological innovation relies on coding, which allows entrepreneurs to make their ideas a reality. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur and make your own digital product or create your own tech organization, learning to code is a must. Making your own software or app allows you to cut down on spending on third-party resources and outsourcing terms. Therefore, you will have more creative control, and get things done faster. Also, being able to code gives entrepreneurs an edge in the business world since they can quickly test out new features, listen to customer feedback, and adjust their approach to the market.
How Complex is The Process of Coding?
Although the process of coding can be amusing, there is a complex side to it that makes it impossible to go through for many people. Coding is not only writing lines and communicating, it is more mixed with building logic, putting elements together, and creating a bigger architecture that would keep the software going. Throughout the process, you need to think about every bit of the problem that your software or application is tackling. Additionally, you need to think about the final appearance and the look and feel that users will get to experience. These are major parts of the coding process, which proves that it is not only a task involving writing lines of code, but rather accomplishing objectives.
All of this also varies with the size and functions of the project or application. So, for instance, if you are going with a big project with unique and advanced functions, you can expect the coding process to take much more effort and time. This, of course, adds to the complexity of coding.
Another thing that adds to the complexity of coding is the platform and its requirements. In the case of developing an application, you will be left with one option of two. They are either developing an app for iOS or Android. Some developers go for both options. It is worth mentioning that coding for one platform significantly differs from the other. Each of the systems has its own specific languages, frameworks, guidelines, and so on. So, for instance, to develop an app for Android, a developer would have to learn and explore the languages used for the platform as well as abide by all the guidelines. This could be very challenging, especially for beginners.
Can You Learn How to Code on Your Own: 5 Best Ways
So, now for the most important question of the article, which is: can you learn how to code on your own? Learning how to code on your own may have been impossible. However, now, with many advanced methods, it is pretty much possible and attainable. Many individuals around the world take on the journey of learning how to code solely, and most of the time, the journey turns out to be very effective. Unlike in the good old days, there are many ways you could learn how to code on your own. So, let us explore the top five methods.
1.) Online Courses
The first and most common type you should use to learn how to code on your own is online course platforms. Luckily, online course platforms are now more powerful than ever. People use them to gain professional knowledge in many industries and areas of interest, such as business, physics, and, of course, programming and coding. Coding is now among the most requested and purchased courses that people seek. You can easily browse through these platforms and find the best comprehensive course about coding, whether web, software, or applications, and start your journey.
2.) Coding Communities
To learn how to code on your own, coding and development communities can be an invaluable source. These communities are not only useful for coding, but they are also great aids for other development stages and processes as well. Through coding communities, you can seek advice from professionals and experts who have the same start and can relate to your questions. You will also use these communities to engage with other members and establish connections that could be very useful in the future.
3.) Video Tutorials
Video tutorials are everywhere and address all topics and areas. They could also be very useful tools to help you learn everything about coding. Platforms like YouTube have a plethora of channels and creators that share full courses and how-to guides to coding for all systems and languages. These videos are especially useful as they guide you through visually so it is easy to practice and apply each step.
4.) Coding Books
Books are where everything starts; they have been the primary way to gain knowledge about anything since the beginning of time. This is what makes books a great way to learn how to code on your own. Programming is a very important book category that many rely on significantly. Through coding and programming books or e-books, you will learn all the details about coding, steps, and nooks and crannies of the process that you may overlook in other cases.
5.) Coding Workshops and Boot Camps
Coding boot camps are becoming more popular among those who want a more practical and organized approach to learning how to code. These intense programs provide a specialized curriculum centered around a particular stack or set of technologies; they are frequently offered in-person and online. As a whole, participants in a boot camp get a better grasp of the content thanks to the mix of classroom instruction, practical application, coding challenges, and guidance from instructors. Boot camps may be hard, but they are worth it if you want to learn development on a fast track with a concentrated curriculum and little time commitment.
Wrapping It Up
The journey of learning how to code is not only enticing and filled with knowledge and new experiences; it is also extremely rewarding if done effectively. The technological advancements made development very easy, as well as learning how to develop. Thanks to the democratization of technology movements, people now have access to more resources, tools, and knowledge, streamlining the learning and development process. With books, video tutorials, boot camps, and coding communities, you can ensure learning how to code on your own effectively and create robust applications.
However, there is one more method that could make development as easy as pie and eliminate the need for coding. These would be no-code platforms, which is also an outcome of the democratization of technology. No-code platforms like the nandbox app builder combine the enticing nature of app development with the robustness of functions seamlessly. The nandbox app builder allows development to be done easily with a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built elements. So, as much as there are methods that make learning how to code on your own easy, nandbox provides an even easier way to create fully functional apps. Sign up now and turn your ideas into reality without writing a single line of code with nandbox!
