Do`s and dont's of Programming

"Coding is the practice of utilising programming languages to provide instructions to a computer and programming is one of the most useful talents you can acquire. People utilise websites, software, and applications on a daily basis because of these instructions. Now, a lot of times beginners make mistakes when starting their coding journey. This blog is a guide to those who want to crack the code in building a successful career as a developer/coder/programmer/so-called hackor. 😁"

Tue Dec 19, 2023

Let`s Crack the Code: Beginner's Guide to Programming Success

"Every good programmer is a little bit lazy. Lazy in the sense that they want to write the code only once, and have it work everywhere." - Larry Wall, creator of Perl

Both science and art go into programming. It's essential to comprehend the dos and don'ts that might make or break your code if you want to succeed in this dynamic industry. We'll explore the traps you should watch out for and the best practices seasoned programmers swear by in this blog.

There are many ways to approach the practice of coding, and some methods and languages will work better for you than others. But to find out what works best for you, you need to explore this domain and its field and probably write code daily until your last brain cell dies 😂 ----> "to maintain consistency".

Well, whatever you choose to learn, though, keep these basic pointers in mind:

1. Have Patience

You have to approach challenges in a different way when you're coding. Even if they appear absurd to you, some themes are essential to understanding the language you're studying. Implementing problems that appear simple at first will turn out to be a lot more difficult than you anticipated. It's possible to work on a task for hours on end without noticing any progress.

Not to be overlooked is debugging. Computers are finicky and will only perform what you instruct them, as you will soon discover. Small mistakes such as an erroneous operator or a missing semicolon ";" might cause the entire program to malfunction, so you need to find the source.

Even coding for beginners isn’t easy.

It's acceptable if any of this makes you feel uneasy or demoralised. Please do yourself a favour and go forward gradually, allowing yourself enough time to process everything.

Everyone needs to learn the same things at first, even the most skilled programmers were once in your shoes. You'll be right if you take it easy on yourself, maintain your goals, and take pauses.

2. Go with Basics and Build Strong Fundamental Foundation.

The fundamentals are everything while learning a programming language in its early stages. One possible place to start would be by learning about data types, binary, and console printing. From there you will learn basics like:

  • Variables
  • Functions
  • Logical Conditioning
  • Arrays
  • Objects

Before moving on, make sure you understand each of these topics completely.

This is because everything you learn about computer science builds on topics that come before. If something doesn’t make sense, keep reviewing it until it does.

3. Continuous Learning

The word programming is continuous, the landscape is constantly evolving. So you need to learn continuously about the latest technologies, tools, and best practices to ensure that your skills remain relevant.

To put your skills to the test don't shy away from challenging projects or unfamiliar technologies. Every obstacle is an opportunity to learn and grow as a programmer.

4. Write error-free code right away.

You should practise writing your code well in addition to understanding how to write it.

What does this signify? There will be several ways to programme a particular calculation. It should always be your goal to write as clearly and legibly as possible.
Since developers typically collaborate in teams, other people will frequently view your code. If it's difficult to understand, other developers won't be excited to collaborate with you.

Writing clean code guarantees that you will comprehend your code, even if you choose to go freelance. Developing the practice of clean code early on can save you many hours later when you're trying to figure out how to interpret your work after months without looking at it.

Why is clean code important?

You might be wondering why you need to learn clean code at this point. You’re a beginner, so shouldn’t writing functional programs be the main goal?

Yes, indeed. It's important to form positive habits at a young age. Later on, you'll save yourself some sanity if you put in the additional effort now. To do this, it's a good idea to keep your functions and lines brief. limiting each function to no more than 15 lines and each line of code to a maximum of 80 characters.

While limiting at first, these rules will train you to favour efficient code over the first idea that occurs to you.

5. Be a Copy Cat

I thought the way to learn to code was to read a whole bunch of books. I bought books on C++, C#, Java and loads more. You name it, I had it. But they didn’t do very much other than make me confused.

I read. I highlighted. I forgot. I fell asleep. 😴

Books are good as references. If you want to dive deep into delegates and protocols, read the chapter on that. But if you want to learn, make something.

But What??

Too little, too old? Be a copycat. Copy other people's code and try to understand it. Create your ideas out of it, and also try to add some new features in the code. Make Flappy Bird, Tetris, and Minesweeper if you enjoy gaming. They will not only be somewhat helpful, but they will also provide you with the ideal opportunity to learn how to do things and get experience asking for assistance.

Good Artists borrow but do you know what great artists do, they Steal.

Do you know what makes a beginner a successful programmer/ developer/ or so-called pro hackor? 

6. Its Consistency.

Consistency is a key factor in becoming a successful programmer, especially in the beginning stages of your coding journey.

  1. Consistent practice allows you to build a solid foundation in programming. Like any skill, learning to code requires repeated exposure and hands-on experience. Regular practice helps you internalize concepts, understand syntax, and develop problem-solving skills.
  2. Programming concepts can be intricate, and consistency reinforces your learning. Regular engagement with coding exercises, projects, and challenges helps you retain information and reinforces your understanding of algorithms, data structures, and language syntax.
  3. Programming is fundamentally about problem-solving. Consistent practice cultivates a problem-solving mindset, enabling you to approach coding challenges with confidence. Over time, you'll become adept at breaking down complex problems into manageable tasks.
  4. Consistent practice not only improves your coding skills but also boosts your confidence. As you tackle and overcome challenges regularly, you develop a sense of accomplishment that propels you forward in your programming journey.


Chandu Panicker
A Young Passionate Teacher.

Launch your GraphyLaunch your Graphy
100K+ creators trust Graphy to teach online
𝕏
GDIOT INNOVATIONS LLP 2024 Privacy policy Terms of use Contact us Refund policy