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Santosh Shelar
Santosh Shelar

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25 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started to Code πŸ’»πŸ“š

25 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started to Code πŸ’»πŸ“š

  1. Start with the Basics: Understanding the fundamentals of programming languages is crucial. Don’t rush through the basics.

  2. Learn One Language Well: Mastering one language will make it easier to learn others. Start with a versatile language like Python or JavaScript.

  3. Practice, Practice, Practice: Coding is a skill honed by doing. Write code every day, even if it's just a small script.

  4. Understand Algorithms and Data Structures: These are the backbone of efficient coding. They help solve complex problems faster.

  5. Read Other People's Code: It’s a great way to learn different approaches and best practices.

  6. Write Clean, Readable Code: Code is read more often than it is written. Make it easy for others (and your future self) to understand.

  7. Comment and Document Your Code: Good comments and documentation can save you and others a lot of time and confusion later.

  8. Use Version Control: Learn Git and use it to manage changes to your code. It’s essential for collaboration and backup.

  9. Learn Debugging Techniques: Debugging is a significant part of programming. Mastering debugging tools and techniques will save you a lot of time.

  10. Build Projects: Apply what you learn by building real projects. This solidifies your knowledge and gives you a portfolio to show potential employers.

  11. Don't Fear Failure: Bugs and errors are part of the process. Each one is an opportunity to learn and improve.

  12. Break Problems into Smaller Pieces: Tackling a big problem all at once can be overwhelming. Breaking it into smaller parts makes it manageable.

  13. Stay Updated: The tech world evolves rapidly. Stay current with new technologies and trends.

  14. Join a Community: Engage with other programmers. Forums, local meetups, and online groups can provide support and insight.

  15. Understand How the Internet Works: Knowing the basics of how the web works (HTTP, DNS, etc.) is crucial for web development.

  16. Learn About Databases: Most applications use databases. Understanding how they work and how to interact with them is essential.

  17. Master a Framework or Library: Once you know a language, learn a popular framework to enhance your productivity.

  18. Take Care of Your Health: Programming can be sedentary. Take breaks, exercise, and maintain a healthy posture.

  19. Learn to Manage Your Time: Coding projects can be time-consuming. Good time management helps you stay productive and avoid burnout.

  20. Test Your Code: Writing tests for your code ensures it works as expected and makes future changes safer.

  21. Don't Reinvent the Wheel: Use existing libraries and tools whenever possible. It saves time and leverages community knowledge.

  22. Focus on Problem-Solving Skills: Programming is fundamentally about solving problems. Hone your analytical and problem-solving abilities.

  23. Be Patient and Persistent: Learning to code takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and persistent in your practice.

  24. Seek Feedback: Code reviews and feedback from peers are invaluable for improvement.

  25. Enjoy the Journey: Coding can be incredibly rewarding. Enjoy the process of creating and the satisfaction that comes with solving problems.

Embarking on a coding journey is both challenging and exciting. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Keep learning, stay curious, and most importantly, have fun coding! πŸŒ±πŸš€

Top comments (7)

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landtrust profile image
Landtrust

Cool! Thank you

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Santosh Shelar

I am glad you like it.

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abolmehr profile image
abolmehr

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

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Josef Nobach

Oh what a goldmine thx a lot! will show this to my students.

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learn_with_santosh profile image
Santosh Shelar

Glad it's useful! Enjoy sharing it with your students!

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Zakari Adamu

wow, this is lovely and spot-on🀩

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apoorva_krishna_53be28976 profile image
Apoorva Krishna

Though i am doing coding since 7 years old so this article is not important for me but I can use it to help my new developer beginner friends. Thanks !