How to Start Coding: The Ultimate Guide for

Beginner Programmers

Jamie Juviler

Published: June 29, 2022

Coding is one of the most valuable skills you can build. If you’re searching for "how to learn
coding," it might be because you want to advance your career.

Maybe you’re hoping to build software or games for your friends or get a better grip on the tech
space. Either way, learning the language of computers can be a major asset to your professional
and personal development.

Download Now: Free Intro Guide to HTML & CSS

With time, dedication, and internet access, anyone can learn to code. If you’re reading this, that
includes you. That’s why, in this guide, we’ll unpack everything you need to know to start writing
code, including:

Why learn to code?

How to Start Coding

Coding vs. Programming

Coding for Beginners

What is coding?

Coding is the process of using programming languages to give instructions to a computer. These
instructions power the websites, software, and applications people use every day.

Why Learn to Code?

Before diving into your first lesson, think about why you want to code in the first place.

This will help you determine which programming language you decide to learn first, what sorts of
projects you want to complete, and ultimately what you want to make of your skills.

Here are some well-known benefits:

Coding helps build professional skills.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Knowledge of computer programming is a valuable
employment asset.

As technology continues to weave into our daily lives, coding skills will become more desired
among candidates — according to job board Indeed.com, several of the most in-demand skills fall
under computing.
If you’re looking to make a career pivot into tech or to switch to a more technical role within your
field, knowing at least one relevant programming language is a must.

This doesn’t just apply to developers, though. Web designers should know HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript. Project managers should know the inner workings of the tools they help craft.

Even if you run a simple WordPress website, familiarizing yourself with front-end languages and
some PHP goes a long way.

Even if you’re not pursuing a strictly technical role, coding experience is an asset. It shows
technical know-how, the ability to grasp abstract concepts, and that you can solve complex
problems.

Finally, coding knowledge enables you to take up freelance work or a full-time career.

Coding can help you earn more.

The average entry-level salary in the U.S. is $40,153 in 2022. But the average starting salary for a
programmer is more than twice as much, at $85,293.

We mentioned earlier that there are differences between coders and programmers. As you
continue to learn about coding, you may start to specialize. Many of the highest coding salaries
come from the ability to offer your skills in a specific type of coding.

For example, as you continue to code, you may decide to become a developer. Besides writing
code, developers also debug software and work with source code. Developers usually specialize
in a specific programming language.

Developers often earn higher salaries than programmers and have high projected job growth.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for developers should grow by 22% by
2030.

Coding lets you create things.

One of the coolest benefits of learning how to code is the ability to bring your ideas to life. Have a
concept for a website, app, or computer game? Now, you can build it exactly how you want, then
share it with the world.

Whether you want to monetize your project, post it on an open-source platform like GitHub, or just
make things as a hobby, you’ll have the knowledge and the tools to do so.
It’s gratifying to know you can build programs that, until now, you’ve never fully understood. Plus,
projects are essential to the learning and job-seeking process.

Coding can help you better understand the world around you.
Learning even just the basics of computer programming will help you understand the components
of the growing technology landscape.

You’ll gain an entirely new perspective on the technologies in your life and an appreciation for
how it all comes together.

Coding is fun.
It’s cheesy but true — for many, learning to code is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. After
you have the basics down and start on your own original projects, the process will feel less like
learning and more like leisure. After all, if you’re not enjoying it, why pursue it as a career?
 How to Start Coding

Figure out why you want to learn to code.

Choose which coding language you want to learn first.

Take online courses.

Watch video tutorials.

Read books and ebooks.

Use tools that make learning to code easier.

Check out how other people code.

Complete coding projects.

Find a mentor and a community.

Consider enrolling in a coding boot camp.

Thanks to the internet, there’s never been a better time to learn to code. But the sheer volume of
options can stall some new coders before they even begin.

In this section, we’ll cover how to learn coding for beginners, with some recommended resources
for each step.

1. Figure out why you want to learn to code.

It's tempting to jump right in when you start coding. But if you don't have an end goal you may
become frustrated and stop learning before you get to the fun.

So, before you start studying, think about why you want to know how to code. Think about the
projects you want to complete, why this skill excites you, and what resources you have available.

For example, say you want to become a developer to earn more income for your family. Do you
know where you want to work and what kind of projects they need developers for? Are you ready
to put in the time to learn to code, learn the right programming languages, and build projects that
show you have what it takes?

Setting a broad goal like that can be really frustrating. Instead, start with smaller, more specific
goals. For example, say you want to build a mobile app for your friend who is training for a half-
marathon one year from now.

This goal will:

Help you build the skills you need

Give you a sense of which programming language to start with

Sets a deadline so you can manage your time while learning

2. Choose which coding language you want to learn first.

If you're trying to figure out which programming language to start with, think about your long-term
goals. Are you coding for fun or to advance at work? Do you have a flexible timeline or do you
need to finish a project in a hurry?

As a beginner, you may want to start with a language that doesn't use data structures or
algorithms. If that's the case, HTML or CSS are great places to start. But languages like Java and
Python are also great for beginners, and they also have a wide range of applications.
It can sometimes take months to learn a programming language, so take some time to make this
decision to make sure that your time is well spent.

3. Take online courses.

Learning to code no longer requires a classroom setting. Today, there are thousands of online
programming courses that cover everything from basic HTML to data structures to complex
algorithms.

Your first course should introduce the basics of a language and contain interactive modules and
assignments to guide your learning.

Courses create a structure for learning, which is essential as concepts in computer science build
on each other. An organized course keeps everything digestible and ensures you’re learning
things in the correct order.

Popular free course providers include:

freeCodeCamp

W3Schools

Harvard’s acclaimed Introduction to Computer Science course on edX and the CS50 YouTube

channel
These options are great for determining early on whether you’re ready to invest the time to learn a
particular language.

There are also plenty of paid courses available for a fraction of what in-person classes will cost
you.

These choices cover a wide range of beginner, intermediate, and advanced CS topics:

Code Academy

Springboard

MIT’s Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python

Some paid services offer free courses or trials if you want to get a feel for their teaching before
you commit.

4. Watch video tutorials.

You’ve probably watched a YouTube tutorial or two — why not do the same for coding?
While online courses are your best bet for hands-on experience, online videos can supplement
your learning and occupy your curiosity. My personal favorites include:

Crash Course Computer Science

Tom Scott’s The Basics

Both cover broader topics in computing.

5. Read books and ebooks.

Prefer an old-school approach? Pick up a book on your beginner language of choice. Books will
introduce you to fundamental concepts and inform your coding.

Here are some established texts for each recommended beginner language:
 HTML/CSS: The Beginner's Guide to HTML and CSS for Marketers

JavaScript: Eloquent JavaScript: A Modern Introduction to Programming

Python: Python Crash Course

C: C Programming Absolute Beginner's Guide

C++: C++ Primer

C#: C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0 – Modern cross-platform development: Build applications
with C#

Java: Effective Java

PHP: Head First PHP & MySQL

Ruby: The Well-Grounded Rubyist

SQL: SQL in 10 minutes, Sams Teach Yourself

Swift: Swift Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

6. Use tools that make learning to code easier.

While it's great to know that you don't need any special tools to write code, there are tools that
can help.

Code Editor

Text editors include features to make coding easier like color coding, auto-complete, find-and-
replace, and dark mode.

Most professionals use a code editor. This tool can help you write clean code faster. Code editors
are like text editors, but they have extra features that help you manage and edit your code like:

Syntax highlighting

Code lookup

Built-in terminal environment

Notepad++, Sublime Text, and Emacs are popular editors for beginners.

Console
You’ll also want to get to know your computer a little better. When you start coding you should
learn how to navigate the console. This is the text-based interface for your operating system.

The console lets you find files and execute commands on them more quickly than the standard
graphical user interface (GUI). Familiarize yourself with how to use it, including the basic UNIX
commands, since you’ll be doing things that aren’t possible in the GUI.

Project Management

Many projects start simple but get more complicated as the project goes on. Using a project
management tool you can share files, update timelines, and break out separate parts of coding
projects. This makes it easier to keep track of side projects and extra files while sticking to your
timeline.

Troubleshooting

As you work on your coding projects, you may run into bugs, roadblocks, and other challenges.
This can be super frustrating. Rubber Duck Debugging may sound silly, but it can help you
simplify your problem and find useful solutions.

7. Check out how other people code.

It’s easier for some people to edit someone else's work than it is to create from a blank page. If
this is you, a great way to learn how to code is to go through someone else’s code.

Checking out other programmers' code can also inspire you and push your coding skills even
further. This approach will help you:

Better understand your own code

Understand new code faster

Give you tangible examples of quality coding

Start with a program or code file you like. If you're not sure what code to start with, GitHub
and searchcode are great starting points. Try to start with peer-reviewed code or open-source
projects if you can.

If you know what the code does, choose one small section and then work backward. This will help
you understand the function of every line of code. It's also a good idea to read the documentation.
This will show you the ideas behind the code you're reviewing.

8. Complete coding projects.

You learn programming by doing — there’s no way around it. You can read up on all the concepts
and syntax necessary to write functional code.

But unless you put what you learn into practice, the ideas won’t fully materialize in your mind.
That’s where projects come in.

A project is any program (or website) built with your language of choice. When starting out, keep
projects short-term.

If you’re taking a course, you may get projects designed to solidify a concept. There are also
loads of beginner programming projects you can try on your own. Some classic projects include:
 A time converter, in which the user submits a number of seconds and your program gives the
equivalent in hours, minutes, days, etc.

A random number generator, which produces a random number between two values
specified by the user.

A calculator, in which the user specifies their inputs and mathematical operation, and your
program gives an output.

An address book, in which users can submit contact names, then search for contacts stored
in your program.

An alphabetizer, in which the user offers a list of words, and your program sorts them in
alphabetical order.

A hangman game, in which the user tries to guess a hidden word by inputting letters, and
your game gives feedback for correct or incorrect guesses. When the user guesses all the
letters to your word, they win.

A quick Google search will reveal even more mini-challenges that require you to apply your skills
to real-world problems.

Benefits of Coding Projects

On top of practicing concepts, projects offer two more benefits to your learning.

First, they’ll keep you motivated. Projects help solidify the "why" behind your coding and set clear,
tangible benchmarks for your progress. Each completed project means one more skill under your
belt. As I was learning, this was very encouraging.

Second, coding projects, especially long-term ones, give you something to show for your work.
It’s one thing to put "Python" on your resume — it’s another to show you built an entire website or
application from scratch.

Projects are a must for entry-level programming jobs, as they prove competency in a given
language.

How to Stay Motivated While You’re Coding

When embarking on longer-term projects, think of things you’re willing to invest time in. Whether
it’s a personal website, a mobile application, or a desktop tool, you’ll hit speed bumps along the
way. Choosing a project you truly enjoy and care about ensures you follow through.

Another great way to stay engaged with coding projects is by freelancing. You don’t need to be an
expert programmer to build a useful tool for someone. Reach out to a friend, family member, or
local business in need of a tool or website — it’s a win-win.

9. Find a mentor and a community.

The resources I’ve listed so far are all valuable, but they’re mostly solo efforts. Having a friend or
an online community to give further guidance can be invaluable to your learning.

First, I recommend finding a mentor. As you progress, you’ll probably encounter issues that, no
matter how hard you try, you just can’t crack. This is where mentors can help.

A mentor doesn’t need to be an actual teacher — they can be anyone knowledgeable in your
language. They should be able to explain difficult concepts and point you to solutions. An
experienced mentor can help you follow coding practices not covered in tutorials and offer advice
for navigating a career in tech.

You may also want to join a community. Look for local groups, networking events and meetups in
your area, and hackathons where you can make in-person connections with other programmers.

Online developer communities are also a rich resource for beginners.

Be sure to check out:

Stack Overflow, a forum site for programming questions and discussion.

 GitHub, a code repository for open-source projects with an active developer community.

Women Who Code, a nonprofit that organizes events, communities, and job postings for
women pursuing careers in technology.

r/learnprogramming, a subreddit (a microsite on Reddit.com) for beginner coders.

10. Consider enrolling in a coding boot camp.

A coding boot camp is a short-term training program that packs a comprehensive coding
curriculum into a period of several months. These programs are fast-paced,  immersive, and a
launchpad for a development career.

Coding boot camps are intensive and expensive — not the kind of thing to dive into without any
coding experience.

These programs are mostly for beginners who are set on a career in development and are ready
to commit time, energy, and money to quickly get the necessary skills.

While grads tend to find employment in the tech industry, understand that this isn’t a guaranteed
outcome. You’ll be setting aside a decent chunk of your year and savings for such a pursuit. Still,
it’s difficult to top an in-person learning environment surrounded by peers and teachers as
motivated as you are.
 Coding vs. Programming

The terms coding and programming are often used interchangeably, but they don't always mean
the same thing. Both coding and programming mean writing instructions for a computer. But
programming might also include algorithms and data structures. Generally, the term programming
describes more advanced projects.

While you can code with just a computer and some time, some programming might need
specialized software tools. Programming projects are usually bigger and more complex. They
may need project management and a more solid knowledge base.

Programming Languages

Coding requires knowledge of at least one coding language, a set of syntax and rules that
computers can understand. There are hundreds of coding languages, each one unique in its
purpose and what it can do.
But some languages are easier to learn than others — these are best to start with since they’re
the fastest way to learn the fundamentals of programming.

Programming languages give you a structure for the instructions you're writing. This language
looks like English, but not exactly. Programmers call the terms and grammar in a programming
language syntax.

Low-level languages like Assembly or Machine are easier for machines to read than humans, so
they can be tough to learn. That said, a middle-level language like C++ is useful to know if you
want to write:

Operating systems

Database systems

Image or video processing software

High-level languages are usually easier for beginners. Some focus more on structure, while
others are more interactive and can perform more complex functions.

Below are some of the best languages for beginner coders. Try to get comfortable with just one
language that aligns with your goals, then explore others if you’d like.

Don’t worry about choosing the wrong one, though. These languages share underlying concepts,
so you can start with one and switch to another if you need.

HTML
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Hypertext Markup Language, or HTML, is the foundation of the internet — it’s used to set the
content of web pages. When you load a web page, typically what you see is an HTML document
rendered by your browser.

If you’re unsure whether coding is your thing, HTML is the easiest language to sample.

This is because HTML isn’t technically a programming language — it doesn’t execute scripts and
you can’t build functional programs with it. Still, HTML is everywhere online, so if you want to
understand the internet, you’ll first need to understand HTML.

CSS
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You might be less familiar with HTML’s sibling language, CSS. HTML handles what content
appears on a web page, but doesn’t affect how that content looks.

This is where Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, comes in. The CSS language handles the styling
of HTML — it sets features like colors, sizing, fonts, and even entire page layouts.

CSS is also not a programming language. It’s a set of rules applied to HTML.

HTML and CSS are almost always used together, so I recommended learning both. Otherwise,
your web pages will look rather plain.

If you’re not sure how to learn coding, start with HTML and CSS.
HTML and CSS are easy to learn largely because they don’t require you to think through the
computational logic of programming languages.

Learning HTML and CSS can also feel less abstract than other languages since you see the
results of your code quickly — simply create a .html file and open it in your browser.

Or, open an existing website and use your inspect tool to peek at the underlying code. This
makes it possible to learn two languages you use every day, in a day.
But, if you want your web pages to do things, you’ll need...

JavaScript

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JavaScript is a programming language that turns static web pages into dynamic ones. It enables
page elements to move, react to user actions like clicks, and handle any operation beyond simply
existing on the page.

If you’re interested in web development and already have a feel for HTML and CSS, JavaScript is
the next step.

Together, these three languages make up the majority of web content you see. Plus, JavaScript
code can be easily tested in your browser.

Python

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Python is a popular programming language for beginners because of its user-friendly syntax and
versatility.

Much of Python code reads like English, which helps beginners learn basic concepts like
functions.

Python also has many code libraries. These are groups of pre-built functions that you can plug
into your code instead of writing the functions out yourself. With Python, you can build many
different types of programs. Many introductory courses also base their projects on this language.
C/C++

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C is another popular choice for introductory courses. It’s wordier than Python and often requires
beginners to write more code to achieve the same things.

This is more work, but useful for understanding abstract concepts. With C, you’ll learn skills that
can be easily applied to other, more succinct languages.

C++ is a successor to C. C++ syntax is similar to C with the addition of objects, a powerful
variable type that makes programming sophisticated applications easier.

I recommend beginning with C, though, since there are fewer concepts to learn, all of which can
be mapped to C++.