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Scofield Idehen
Scofield Idehen

Posted on • Originally published at blog.learnhub.africa

Mistakes to Avoid as a New Programmer: Common Pitfalls That Can Hinder Your Learning Progress

Becoming a programmer is an exciting journey that opens up a world of endless possibilities. However, like any skill, mastering programming requires dedication, practice, and the ability to learn from your mistakes.

As a new programmer, you'll undoubtedly encounter challenges along the way, but by steering clear of common pitfalls, you can ensure a smoother and more rewarding learning experience. In this article, we'll explore some mistakes to avoid as a new programmer that can hinder your learning progress.

1. Skipping the Fundamentals

It's tempting to dive headfirst into complex projects and advanced languages, but neglecting the fundamentals of programming can lead to confusion and frustration later on. A solid understanding of basic concepts like variables, data types, loops, and conditional statements is essential. Take the time to grasp these building blocks before moving on to more advanced topics.

2. Not Reading Documentation

Documentation is a programmer's best friend. Whether you're using a programming language, a library, or a framework, reading the official documentation can provide invaluable insights into how things work. Neglecting documentation can result in inefficient code, hours of debugging, and missed opportunities to leverage the full capabilities of a tool.

3. Copying and Pasting Code Blindly

Copying and pasting code from online resources without understanding it is a common pitfall. While it might seem like a quick solution, it hinders your learning by preventing you from comprehending the logic behind the code. Instead, take the time to type out the code yourself, and strive to understand each line. This practice will improve your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of programming concepts.

4. Avoiding Challenges

Programming is all about problem-solving. Avoiding challenges and sticking to your comfort zone won't help you grow as a programmer. Embrace difficult problems, errors, and bugs as opportunities to learn. Solving challenges independently or seeking guidance from online communities will boost your confidence and enhance your skill set.

5. Lack of Version Control

Version control systems, like Git, are crucial tools for collaboration and code management. Failing to use version control can lead to confusion, lost code, and conflicts when working with others. Start incorporating version control into your workflow early to maintain a clean, organized, and trackable codebase.

6. Overlooking Code Readability

Writing code that only you can understand is a mistake that can hinder collaboration and maintainability. Prioritize code readability by using meaningful variable and function names, adding comments, and following consistent formatting. Clean, well-organized code is not only easier to debug but also helps others understand your work.

7. Rushing Through Problem Solving

Impatience can lead to hastily written and poorly thought-out code. Take the time to plan your approach, break down complex problems into smaller steps, and write code methodically. Rushing through problem-solving can result in more time spent fixing errors and less time spent on actual progress.

8. Ignoring Error Messages

Error messages might seem daunting, but they contain valuable clues about what's gone wrong in your code. Ignoring or dismissing error messages can lead to confusion and frustration. Instead, embrace them as opportunities to learn and troubleshoot your code effectively.

9. Not Seeking Help

Pride can sometimes get in the way of progress. When you're stuck on a problem for an extended period, don't hesitate to seek help. Online programming communities, forums, and Q&A websites are filled with experienced programmers willing to assist. Asking for help is a sign of growth and a way to overcome roadblocks more efficiently.

10. Neglecting Soft Skills

Programming isn't just about writing lines of code. Communication, collaboration, and problem-solving are essential soft skills that can greatly enhance your programming journey. Engage with the programming community, share your knowledge, and be open to feedback to cultivate a well-rounded skill set.

In conclusion, embarking on the path of becoming a proficient programmer requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Avoiding these common pitfalls can accelerate your learning progress, build a strong foundation, and pave the way for a successful programming career. Remember that every misstep is an opportunity for growth, and with perseverance, you'll be well on your way to mastering the art of programming.

If you find this post exciting, find more exciting posts like this on Learnhub Blog; we write everything tech from Cloud computing to Frontend DevCybersecurityAI and Blockchain.

This article was written by Abdulrazaq Salihu.

Top comments (17)

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clarkngo profile image
Clark Ngo

Totally agree on making code readable. Especially when you work on multiple projects/repos. Sometimes you don’t touch a certain repo for weeks or a month. Then you’ll be puzzled on what the logic was again. It will be confusing for other contributors too who have not touched that certain logic.

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scofieldidehen profile image
Scofield Idehen

I find that puzzling mostly when it's a different language from what I have been using.

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fish1 profile image
Jacob Enders

I think number 7 can actually be good.

Often time's I rush through a solution, to get something to work as quick and dirty as possible. Then I delete it.

Now the second time I go to write it, I have a vague idea of how to get from start to finish. But this time I can focus on making quality code.

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manchicken profile image
Mike Stemle

What a lovely set of focal points for those starting their journey. Thanks for sharing!

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scofieldidehen profile image
Scofield Idehen

When you are starting out, the need to burn yourself out is very much a thing for beginners.

Thanks for reading.

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montyharper profile image
Monty Harper

Haha - the NEED to burn yourself out. I feel it! I've spent hours a day coding all summer. Now the semester is starting and I teach full time. Maybe it will be good for me to have to pace myself. But I don't want to!

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scofieldidehen profile image
Scofield Idehen

you have to, it gives you clarity on whats important or you will burn out befpre the sementer gets to half.

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artydev profile image
artydev

And reading too much tutorials...

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scofieldidehen profile image
Scofield Idehen

True.

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pizzancoding88 profile image
PizzaNCoding88

I agree with all of them. I have made the same mistakes and had to go back and rectify them.

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scofieldidehen profile image
Scofield Idehen

Guess you found your way.

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kastyno profile image
Austino

Thank you for this guidance. I will follow it through.

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scofieldidehen profile image
Scofield Idehen

Awesome. I hope you get all the success you need. Best of luck.

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19cows83 profile image
19cows83

no not mistaken. when i report before in costumer service before, millions of web developer ignore me. sending debian active bug on my birthday in the middle of pandemic. creating 60+ gmail account in 1 day. successive 62 days without sleep or even a nap. changing gmail pass word in whole night. now i ask you. WHO IS THE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY INVESTMENT,? sir/maam you know that is my prayer not only for my self. i dream for nothing. so now im here to tracked as i can. but if this opportunity not possible to earn money. so i will try my best, and its impossible if till 100years starts from now, i dont learn a lot of code., what should i do? one of your colleague pull me to enter in this world. i know there gmail account. 1 of GitHub user. and I don't know how many SEO. sorry for grammar. most important is it content."ID_$"

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19cows83 profile image
19cows83

now if i behave. someone comes and guide me to become even lil bit better encoder, or your holding your pride behind your ears.? i hope your patience,. widelyOpen. ID_$

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19cows83 profile image
19cows83

ignoring me is your option.g/id

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scofieldidehen profile image
Scofield Idehen

really lost on how to respond, what do you need