So you want to learn how to code but don't have thousands of dollars to splash on an expensive boot camp?
No problem! There's never been a better time to learn new skills — even highly sought-after skills like coding — completely free!
Here are some tips on how to develop the right mindset as well as where to find resources and get support from a like-minded community.
Prepare your mindset
Before you dive into the world of coding, it's essential to gain insight into the thinking behind programming.
One of the most highly recommended courses to take is Harvard CS50's Introduction to Computer Science.
In this course, you'll learn about core concepts such as algorithms, get an overview of various programming languages and try your hand at solving real problems from fields as varied as biology and gaming.
Quiz
Which of these well-known tech companies hire tech jobseekers without degrees?
Choose a coding website
A good place to start learning is a dedicated coding website. Some of the features worth looking for are:
completely free (that is, no paywalls or locked levels)
tutorials for a range of programming languages
projects to practice your skills on real problems
active community to support your learning
Check out these three websites that fit these criteria:
Choose a programming language
Now that you have chosen a coding website, it's worth focusing on one programming language to start. Learning one language deeply (becoming fluent) will give you a good foundation to learn other languages later.
But with hundreds of different programming languages in existence, where should you begin?
Most coding influencers recommend starting with a popular language such as Python or Javascript, with Python currently the go-to language for coding interviews.
💡 Also, it's worth noting that CSS and HTML are not actually programming languages but are still necessary to understand.
Join a hackathon
Once you're feeling more confident in your coding skills, it's time to test them at a hackathon!
Hackathons are usually held over a24-hour period or a single weekend. Groups of programmers collaborate to solve an existing problem with technology.
Sometimes the host company or organization will offer prize money or directly put the solution to use.
Hackathons are a fantastic way to meet like-minded people and accelerate your skill development.
Take Action
Ready to start your free coding journey?
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