How to Quickly Learn Programming Languages

Learning a new programming language can be both exciting and challenging. As a computer engineering graduate, I've navigated this path multiple times. Here are some practical strategies, enhanced with examples and personal insights, to help you learn a new programming language quickly and efficiently.

1. Overcoming Attachment to Your Comfort Zone

One of the biggest hurdles many developers face is their attachment to a language they are already proficient in. This attachment can make it hard to embrace a new language. Developers often try to accomplish tasks using their familiar language instead of learning a new one that might be better suited for the job.

Example:
Imagine a developer who is proficient in Python. They find themselves needing to develop a mobile application, which is traditionally more suited for languages like Swift (for iOS) or Kotlin (for Android). Instead of learning Swift or Kotlin, they might try to achieve the same task using Python frameworks like Kivy or BeeWare. While these frameworks are capable, they might not provide the same efficiency and robustness as the native languages for mobile development.

How to Overcome This:

• Embrace the Beginner’s Mindset: Accept that it’s okay to start from scratch. Initial struggles are part of the learning process.
• Set Specific Learning Goals: Define why you need to learn the new language. For me, it was the need to develop native mobile applications.
• Incremental Learning: Start integrating the new language into small parts of your projects. For instance, I began by creating small modules in Swift while keeping the main application logic in JavaScript.

2. Viewing Programming Languages as Tools

A common misconception is that you need to master every aspect of a language to be effective. This isn’t true. A programming language is merely a tool, and you don’t need to know every feature to accomplish your tasks.

Example:
When I decided to learn Kotlin for mobile development, I didn’t dive deep into every aspect of the language. Instead, I focused on what was necessary for my immediate projects: understanding basic syntax, working with Android Studio, and using libraries relevant to my applications.

Task-Oriented Learning:

• Core Syntax: Learn the basics that you need to get started. For Kotlin, I focused on understanding its syntax and how it handles Android components.
• Relevant Libraries and Frameworks: For mobile development, I concentrated on Android Jetpack libraries.
• Gradual Deepening: As I grew more comfortable, I started exploring more advanced Kotlin features like coroutines for managing concurrency.

3. Practical Strategies for Learning

To make the learning process more efficient, here are some strategies I found useful:

Immerse Yourself:

• Read Documentation and Tutorials: Regularly read official documentation and follow tutorials. This helps in understanding the language’s idioms and best practices.
• Join Communities: Participate in forums, attend meetups, and join online communities. For Kotlin, I joined several Android development groups and attended Kotlin meetups.

Practice Daily:

• Consistent Practice: Dedicate a specific time each day to coding in the new language. I followed a 30-day coding challenge when learning Swift, which significantly improved my proficiency.

Work on Real Projects:

• Project-Based Learning: Apply what you’ve learned by working on real projects. For example, I built a simple to-do list app in Swift to understand iOS development better.

Learn from Others:

• Code Reviews and Pair Programming: Engage in code reviews and pair programming. This provides new insights and helps solve doubts.

Utilize Online Resources:

• Online Courses and Platforms: Take advantage of online courses. Websites like Codecademy, Coursera, and Udemy offer excellent resources. I used Udemy’s Kotlin course to get hands-on practice with immediate feedback.

Read and Refactor Code:

• Open-Source Projects: Read and contribute to open-source projects. This exposes you to different coding styles and best practices. I often read through popular open-source Swift projects on GitHub.

Debug and Solve Problems:

• Use Debugging Tools: Learn to use debugging tools effectively. Understanding Xcode’s debugging capabilities was invaluable when diagnosing and fixing issues in my Swift code.

Conclusion

Learning a new programming language is a journey that requires patience and persistence. By overcoming attachment to your comfort zone, viewing the language as a tool, and focusing on task-oriented learning, you can accelerate your learning process. Remember to immerse yourself in the language, practice consistently, and leverage available resources. Whether you’re expanding your skills from JavaScript to Kotlin and Swift, or any other language, these strategies will help you become proficient more quickly.

Happy coding!