You've decided to start learning to code. Congratulations! Coding is a great skill to have in today's world, and it can lead to all sorts of amazing career opportunities.
But where do you start? And how can you make sure that you're sharpening your coding skills as much as possible?
1. Join a Coding Community
Joining a coding community is arguably the best way to sharpen your coding skills as a beginner. Why? Because you'll be surrounded by experienced coders who can answer your questions, give you feedback on your code, and help you troubleshoot errors.
How do you find a coding community? Finding a coding community is easy - just do a quick Google search. For example, if you're looking for a coding community in your city, try searching for "coding meetup group + your city."
Also, there is another great way to go about it; you can visit the website of a trusted school like Codio, where you will learn everything from intro to c++ to intro to Python, and you will gain access to their community forum as well.
2. Code Every Day
As the saying goes, "practice makes perfect." And this is certainly true when it comes to coding. The best way to sharpen your coding skills is to code every day, even if it's just for a little while. The new skills and concepts that you learn will quickly become second nature, and before you know it, you'll be coding like a pro.
So, as a beginner, make it a goal to code for at least 30 minutes every day. And if you can't find 30 minutes in your day, try coding for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night. This way, you'll still be getting some coding practice in, even on your busiest days.
3. Use a Coding Challenge Website
Coding challenge websites are a great way to practice your coding skills and test your knowledge when you are starting out. These websites usually have a library of challenges of varying difficulty levels that you can choose from. And as you complete each challenge, you can see how you stack up against other coders who have attempted the same challenge.
Also, most coding challenge websites allow you to filter the challenges by language, so you can always find ones that are relevant to the language(s) that you're learning.
4. Find a Coding Mentor
Nothing can replace the value of one-on-one instruction when it comes to learning to code. And finding a coding mentor is a great way to get this type of instruction. A mentor can help you with everything from picking the right language to learning to solve tough coding challenges.
If you don't have any personal connections in the coding world, there are still plenty of ways to find a mentor. For example, you can reach out to a local coding meetup group or even post a request on a forum like Reddit.
5. Participate in Coding Competitions
As a beginner, you may not feel ready to take on the world in a coding competition. But participating in these types of events is a great way to improve your skills. Why? Because it forces you to step out of your comfort zone and attempt to solve problems that are outside of your skill level.
And even if you don't win the competition, just participating will give you a valuable learning experience that you can take with you as you continue to sharpen your coding skills.
6. Read Coding Blogs and Articles
Content is still king when it comes to learning to code. So make sure that you're reading coding blogs and articles on a regular basis. This way, you'll always be up-to-date on the latest coding news, trends, and techniques.
Plus, most coding blogs and articles are written by experienced coders who are more than happy to share their knowledge with beginners. So you can be sure that you're getting quality information that will help you improve your skills.
Bottom Line
Your journey to becoming a coding pro doesn't have to be a long and difficult one. By following the tips in this article, you can start sharpening your coding skills today. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start coding!
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