Computer programming is a fun and useful activity, it helps to be creative and opens new career doors for you. If you want to learn how to program, read the guide below to find out where you need to go and what you need to learn.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Selecting Language
Step 1. Select a programming language
Generally, computer programming is done by writing a set of commands that the computer will perform. These commands can be written in different "languages", which are really just different ways of organizing instructions and text. Different languages are usually suitable for different types of programs, so choose a language that is suitable for what you want to do. You can learn more later.
Step 2. Consider learning C, C++, C#, and other related languages
These languages are usually used to create computer programs. C and C++ are easy languages and suitable for beginners, but C# is now starting to become a common language.
Step 3. Consider learning Java or JavaScript
It's a good language to learn if you want to learn to create plug-ins for web and mobile apps. Both are in high demand right now, so it's a good idea to be proficient in both languages.
Step 4. Learn Python
As a very flexible language and widely used across multiple platforms, Python is a good language to learn. Some users say that Python is easy for beginners to learn, so give it a try!
Step 5. Consider learning PHP
PHP, which is commonly used for web programming and is very useful for hackers, is quite easy to learn and widely used in the world of work.
Step 6. Also consider other languages
There are many programming languages with different usages. If you want to work as a programmer, you need to know more than one language, so start learning today!
The best way to choose a language to learn is to search for the job advertisement you want and see which languages are commonly needed
Method 2 of 3: Learning a Programming Language
Step 1. Consider enrolling in a programming course
While most companies looking for programmers don't care about degrees, it's a good idea to have an academic degree behind your name. You'll learn more on campus than you would on your own, and you'll also get expert guidance.
There are often scholarships and grants available for information technology students. Don't be afraid of high tuition fees -- you can pay for it
Step 2. Learn from campus on the internet; either take paid distance classes and earn a diploma or take free classes like MIT's Coursera
You can learn a lot about programming if you take structured classes.
Step 3. Try using online tools
Use a free service like the Google University Consortium or the Mozilla Developer Network to learn more about programming. These companies want more developers to help them and their resources could be the best resources on the internet.
Step 4. Study with internet guides
There are many programming guide sites created by programmers, which will teach you the basics of programming and other guides. Find a guide for the language you want to learn.
There are also many free online classes that you can take to learn programming. Khan Academy teaches computer programming with easy guides and videos. Code Academy is another learning site with step-by-step guides
Step 5. Start as young as possible
Many programs are designed to teach programming to children. Programs like MIT Scratch are very helpful, and the younger you are, the easier it will be to learn a programming language.
Avoid programming kits, as kits rarely teach anything useful
Method 3 of 3: Teaching Yourself
Step 1. Start with a good programming guide or tutorial
Get the latest books about the language you want to learn. Reviews on Amazon or similar sites will usually help you find good and bad books.
Step 2. Get an interpreter for the language you want
Interpreters are computer programs too, but they will convert ideas you write in a programming language into machine code so you can see how they work. Many interpreter programs are available; choose the one that suits you.
Step 3. Read a programming book
Take an example from a programming language in a book and write it in the interpreter. Try changing the example and getting the sample program to do something else.
Step 4. Try to come up with an idea to create a usable program
Start with a simple program, such as a currency converter, and learn other types of programs as you begin to read and learn programming languages.
Step 5. Learn another programming language
Once you start programming in your first language, you may want to learn a second programming language. You will benefit from learning a second language if you choose a language that has a different point of view from the language you first learned. For example, if you started programming with Scheme, try C or Java next. If you're starting with Java, learn Perl or Python.
Step 6. Keep programming and trying new things
To be a good programmer, you have to at least keep up with technology. Learning to program is a never-ending learning process, and you are always learning new languages, new paradigms, and more importantly: programming new things!
Tips
- Don't start with a complicated language like Java. Start with Python, as Python is quite beginner-friendly and built with all aspects of programming in mind.
- Java has a great concept called multithreading. Study the concept until you understand it.
- Get a good reference book. Make sure your book is up to date, because technology is constantly evolving.
- Start with something fun, motivate yourself to complete challenges, and improve your ability to solve problems logically.
- Use Eclipse when you write programs. Eclipse is a very useful program; it can debug the code and you can run the code directly, also use the package explorer to browse the files in your code.
- Memorizing syntax is a must. You can apply it however you like. Study some sample programs and start programming.
- If you are learning Java, use NetBeans 7.3.1. This program is very cool and easy to use.
