6 Ways To Learn How To Code in 2022
There are a lot of different ways to learn how to code and no one way is the best for everyone. These are six of the best ways to learn how to code in 2022.
- Take an Online Course
If you are looking to pick up a specific skill or prefer to pick and choose what to learn on your own time, rather than enrolling in a formal program, consider taking a coding class online. Sites such as CareerFoundry, Coursera, Udacity and Codeacademy offer a mixture of free and paid options that will help you learn skills such as code signing.
Most of these courses are self-serve options. This means that you access the course materials online and work your way through them at your own pace. These courses usually do not have instructors, but there may be community forums where you can get help if you get stuck. Some sites offer entire programs that will guide you through all of the topics you need to learn to obtain a specific career or master a specific topic.
- Complete a Coding Boot Camp
Coding boot camps are like coding courses on steroids. Boot camps are comprehensive programs that teach a variety of technical skills in an accelerated format. The cost ranges from free options, such as FreeCodeCamp, to programs that cost thousands of dollars. In addition to the skills you can learn, many camps have a community of past attendees that can serve as a network to support your learning and help you find a job after graduation.
Because of the fast pace, boot camps may not be the best option for total beginners. Additionally, you may want to think twice about attending a camp that charges a lot of money. You may or may not gain valuable skills, but many employers don’t lend much weight to boot camp-style learning, so if you are hoping finishing a boot camp will boost your resume, you could be disappointed.
- Look for Internet Tutorials
If you are good at figuring out things on your own with just a bit of guidance, online tutorials can be a good option. You can try searching for videos on the subjects you want to learn on YouTube or Google. Alternatively, you can use a site, such as Bento, to find a curated collection of some of the best tutorials on the internet.
- Read Books
Books may seem like an old-fashioned way to learn how to code, but people still write them. If you are on a budget, you may be able to find books on coding in your local library. You can also download ebooks from retailers, such as Amazon.
- Go To College
You don’t have to go to college to get a job as a coder, but it can help, particularly if you are hoping to work for a large, well-known company. There are two and four-year options. You are probably better off avoiding for-profit schools that may promise you quick results but at a high price. You can save money on a four-year degree by attending a community college and then transferring to a four-year school. You will begin with general education classes and basic technology courses. As you get further into your studies, you will move on to more advanced and specialized topics.
- Complete a Certification Course
Certification courses can be a bit of a controversial topic. Some people swear their certifications helped them get jobs. Other people think they are a scam. If you are hoping to get a job, it may be a good idea to talk to employers in your area to find out if getting certified will improve your chances.
The best way to learn to code depends on your budget, learning style and goals. Realistically, you don’t have to pick just one. Experiment with the different options to find the ones that work the best for you.
