#CareerBytes: How can a non-techie learn to code?
In this tech-driven world, learning how to code is no longer limited to software engineers or IT professionals. Coding has become a must-have skill even for people with non-technical backgrounds - including those into marketing, business development, finance, and sales - whether it's for career advancement, personal growth, or improving digital literacy. Here's all about what coding is and how you can learn it.
What exactly is coding?
Coding is nothing but a set of step-by-step instructions that tells a computer what the user wants it to do. Simply put, it is a list of commands that a computer follows. These sets of instructions - codes - are written in a predefined programming language which computers can understand. Coding makes possible the creation of computer software, websites, apps, etc.
Why is learning how to code important?
Apart from tech companies, more and more businesses in other fields, too, rely on computer codes. Experts say many jobs in the future would require coding skills. So, developing a tech skill in demand would be useful for job seekers as it helps them stand out from the competition. Also, knowing the fundamental ideas behind coding helps to understand the web/app development process.
How to get started with coding?
As mentioned earlier, codes are written in programming languages; so, one should learn these languages. There are many ways to learn them, even online for free or at low cost. Coming to getting started with coding, there are many interactive courses available online offered by websites and even mobile apps. They offer lessons, tutorials, and also provide access to experts for help.
Websites that can help you learn how to code
Code Academy and CodeWars (with a martial-arts theme) are two online platforms that offer fun and easy-to-understand ways to learn code. They are free to use and provide interactive learning interfaces to beginners. Code Academy covers HTML/CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Angularjs, The Command Line, and more. Topics covered by CodeWars include JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Java, Clojure, Haskell, Elixir, and SQL among others.
FreeCodeCamp and General Assembly are two other popular platforms
FreeCodeCamp and General Assembly are websites where users can learn coding for free. FreeCodeCamp is an interactive learning platform that first offers courses, assignments, tutorials after which it gives learners hands-on experience by letting them work on projects for non-profits. Topics include HTML/CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, etc. Further, General Assembly's Dash course offers basic web development lessons. Topics covered are HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design.
Smartphone apps to learn to code for beginners
Encode coding app has both beginner-level and advanced learning options. It provides in-depth insights into coding and users can get feedback after every lesson. Tynker is another fun app that offers a "relaxed" way to learn to code. Though it's designed for kids, even adults can use it. It teaches concepts through puzzles, lets users build games and apps and has step-by-step coding tutorials.
Apps that offer more professional coding programs
Udacity is an app and program offering a more intensive way to learn to code. Its courses are instructed by experts from Facebook, Google, Cloudera, etc. It offers both free and premium courses. CodeHub app walks the user through every coding process. Its course contains 50 lessons, covering the Web, HTML5, and CSS3. The app is available in English, Hindi, and Telugu for now.
