Learning About Programming? A Comprehensive Guide to Get You Started

Computer Programming is one of the most important skills, with its demand surging across the world. It is one of the most lucrative career options today, with an average salary of $97,800 in 2022. This figure underlines the rewarding potential of pursuing programming.

Programming has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate, impacting various sectors such as

• healthcare – inventing a new way of diagnosis and treatment
• education – introducing various learning management software
• finance – making online transactions more and more secure
• entertainment – revolutionizing how we experience media

The evolving landscape portrays programming as a promising career, indicating a future where programming expertise becomes an essential asset for companies in every industry.

This comprehensive guide is designed to help beginners like you take their first steps into the world of coding. We will explore the basics of programming language, applications, benefits, and a pathway to get into programming.

Introduction to Programming

As the name suggests, computer programming allows us to solve problems and perform tasks by giving communicating with computers. It involves creating a set of instructions (known as programs) that tell computers what task to perform and how.

Computers can’t understand human languages, they operate on machine language (binary format including 0s and 1s). But, for humans, it is impractical to write instructions directly in machine language.

Therefore, various programming languages have been created, allowing us to write code in a more intuitive, English-like syntax.

Take this simple Python example:

x = 12

y = 18

result = x + y

print(result)

The above code adds two numbers and prints the result. Python is one of many programming languages designed to translate our instructions into machine language, making our instructions executable by the computer.

This is how computer programming works on the foundational level.

Introduction to Programming Languages

Programming languages bridge the gap between humans and computers. They are like regular languages (English, Spanish, etc.) that were invented with the sole purpose of making it easier to communicate with computers.

Some of the common programming languages are Python, JavaScript, Java, C, C++, etc.

Starting your programming journey typically involves picking one language to learn, based on your interests or the requirements of projects you want to work on.

Applications of Computer Programming

The applications of programming extend far and wide, permeating every facet of our digital lives. From creating a simple website to a complex cryptocurrency, programming is used.

Here are some of the applications of computer programming:

• Web Development – facilitates the creation of captivating websites and web applications that engage users and deliver seamless experiences.
• Mobile/Software Development – empowers the development of innovative mobile/software development that enhances our daily lives
• Data Science and Analysis – enables the analysis of vast datasets, unlocking insights and driving informed decision-making.
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – fuels the creation of artificial intelligence models that push the boundaries of what machines can accomplish, from natural language processing to computer vision and beyond.
• Cybersecurity – plays a vital role in developing tools and systems to protect against cyber threats, including encryption algorithms and intrusion detection systems.
• Game Development – used to create both games and game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine.
• Block Chain and Cryptocurrency – for creating decentralized and secure ledgers for transactions and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Benefits of Learning Programming

Programming offers great benefits impacting career prospects, cognitive skills, and personal growth. Here are some of the benefits of learning programming.

• Opens Up Diverse Career Opportunities
• Improves Problem Solving and Logical Thinking
• Flexible Working Opportunities [Freelancing/Remote Work]
• High-Income Earning Opportunities

How to get into Computer Programming?

Programming is a high-paying career, and the best part is you don’t need to go to college to get into this field. If you are interested in this field, here is how you can get started.

1. Choose your domain – Before anything, you need to choose the domain you want to get into. Some of the popular ones are mentioned above. Try to understand the career prospects for each one of them and select the one that aligns with your goal.
   
2. Pick a Programming Language – After finalizing, your domain, pick the programming language that is used in that domain. For example, if you want to get into Data Science and Machine Learning, go for Python. Similarly, for Web Development, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will be your pick.
   
3. Enroll in Online Courses – A large pool of resources teach programming from scratch, both free and paid. Choose the course based on your learning style. While exploring online courses, consider the power of joining an online coding bootcamp focused on full-stack web development. These comprehensive bootcamps offer deep dives into technology with a structured path from beginner to job-ready developer. If you want a hands-on approach, interactive learning like Python for beginners can be your go-to resource. Similarly, YouTube and Udemy can be the right fit for visual learners.
   
4. Create Projects – It’s not enough to learn from courses, you need to practice to actually learn to code. For this, you can create different real-world projects such as mini-games, websites, small applications, and so on.
   
5. Connect with Others – There are so many programming communities where you can ask people for help and learn together. You can also get jobs or internships through these communities.
   
6. Get an Internship – There is a limitation on how much you can learn on your own, so try to get an internship or job as early as possible. You will get a first-hand experience in programming which helps you transition to the real-world applications of computer programming.
   

The Future of Programming

As technology advances at an exponential pace, the field of programming evolves alongside it. Emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality, and blockchain are reshaping the way we code.

While the exact future remains unpredictable, one thing remains certain: proficiency in programming is an in-demand and valuable skill that will continue to hold significant relevance in the foreseeable future.

By staying curious, adaptable, and continuously learning, you can navigate the ever-changing landscape of programming and thrive in this dynamic.