Is Programming Hard? – Where to Start?

IS PROGRAMMING HARD?

Programming is becoming popular and important day by day. It has been this popular today because programming lets you do almost anything in the software world. Knowing how to program is the answer to almost any of the problems in the software industry. It is not hard to be a programmer. What it requires is a good base, practice, and understanding of the subject. There are more than seven hundred programming languages today, and each one is different. We will discuss how they are different, is programming hard or not and which language is the best for a beginner.

What is a Computer Program? – Is Programming Hard?

A computer program is the computer’s way of understanding human input to put it in simple words. A computer cannot understand human language. They need to be commanded differently, what we call ‘machine language.’ There are two types of machine language, high-level and low-level. High-level programming languages are easier to study, read and interpret (e.g., any popular programming language). Low-level languages are harder to read for humans but easier for machines to work on. There are many such languages, but they are just not fit for any beginner. You can easily understand why.

Steps to be a good programmer:

  • Have your basics clear. First things first. To be a programmer, you need to have an interest and passion. Programming can seem screwed up often, and even top developers face problems. There is a reason all popular applications and operating systems have bugs too. Like a child learns to read English, you should start from the ‘ABCs of the programming language. Whatever language you choose, the first thing they teach you is probably how to show a message on the computer screen. It is called ‘printing’. Be patient as you learn. Skipping topics have a great adverse effect sometimes.

  • Practise everyday. Once you learn a new topic, you should try to implement it before you forget. There are lots of things to learn, and it is normal to forget previous things. In case you forget, feel free to search the internet because that is what developers do too. Some programming languages have their own directories to help you if stuck. Do not hesitate to take the help from the internet or your programming teacher.

  • Learn new methods and shortcuts. Programming is like solving math. There is no single way to solve a problem. In industries, though, they want the fastest possible result, but that is not necessary when you are learning. Try to learn simple methods first, before going to difficult ones. You will find your interest growing this way.

  • Learn and solve tougher problems. Programming may not be hard, but it sure needs the practice to be adept at it. Do not hesitate or be afraid to step to the next level. If you think you have mastered the current ‘difficulty level’, know that there is always the next level to learn and practice. It is much like a Candy Crush game. Tougher problems can be found on the internet, or ask your teacher to give you some!

  • Take part in contests. You will be surprised to know how many programming contests run in the world every day. While some are very difficult and are for skilled and experienced programmers, there are also contests for beginners. Give them a try if you feel comfortable. But do not lose hope if you cannot qualify or win.

Dos and Don’ts in Programming World

Here is a simplified table you should remember while programming:

DOsDON’Ts
Take help from books, teachers, and the internet when stuckDo not copy from others WITHOUT understanding the logic
Try to be adept in the one programming language you are learningDo not try to learn multiple programming languages at once
Give yourself time to think about the errors before asking for helpDo not get discouraged if you find errors; programming will always lead to bugs
Try to learn new and better ways of solving past problemsDo not try solving hard problems at first
Try your luck in the programming contestsDo not get discouraged if you fail in the programming contests
Help others find errors; it helps you in the long runDo not copy or let others copy your code during contests because it leads to plagiarism

Programming Languages and Which One to Choose?

You may have heard about some common programming languages even if you don’t know anything about programming. Some examples are C, C++, Java, Python, Golang, Erlang. All the programming languages win in certain aspects, and all of these are immensely used today. But not every programming language is suitable for a beginner. They say that you should start from the easiest. But it is not the case when we are talking about choosing a programming language for beginners. Generally, teachers like to start teaching beginners with the C language. It is the hardest programming language because it is one of the earliest programming languages. But C has its advantages for being chosen for beginners.

The C Language and its Advantages

The C programming language was developed in 1972 and has been used since. C has many things to learn and remember. Unfortunately, many developers hate this language simply because it needs thousands more words than other recently developed languages. Tiresome. Well, that’s exactly why teachers start with C.

Advantages of C for Beginners Include

  • Learning everything from scratch and in-depth.
  • Writing more and hence, understanding more concepts.
  • Since you start from the hardest language, other languages will not be as hard for you to learn later on.
  • It is a powerful language, capable of doing many things at the cost of a few more words and lines of code.
  • Many languages are similar to C and use similar structures and syntax (way of writing). Some examples are C++ and C#, although, there are a lot of differences.

While you start with C and learn the language, it is recommended to shift to other popular languages over time, such as Python, Java, or C++. Why? Let’s explain.

Some Popular Programming Languages

Today, there are so many programming languages in the world that perhaps no one knows the real count. But some languages are used daily in the software world. Here are some examples of such languages and why they are so widely used.

  • Python: It is a powerful and easy language. Python has massive libraries that help users to do several complicated tasks with minimum code length. If you want to be a part of a machine learning or artificial intelligence project, python is the best language.

  • Java: This is another popular language. This language is object-oriented, which means it has a specific way of writing programs. This language is also very powerful and is used almost everywhere in the software world.

  • C++: Another powerful language is C++. This is fast, effective, and smart. C++ is the best language to choose while solving programs for contests. Also, C++ is widely used in game development, as game engines like Unreal, etc. use C++.

  • JavaScript: This has nothing to do with Java. JavaScript is a programming language that finds its wealth in website development. When paired with CSS, JavaScript can develop gorgeous-looking websites.

  • Golang: A programming language developed by Google, Golang is simple, fun, and special. There are some annoying syntaxes, but it is very powerful. The language is optimized for Google activities.

  • C#: This language is also used for game development. Unity engine, a popular game engine, uses C# (C-sharp) language.

  • Rust: This is the programming language used by Microsoft now.

  • Julia: A new and powerful language that is becoming popular day by day. Still, in development, Julia is expected to be the leader of programming languages in the next two decades or so. Julia will have a definite edge in the future.

  • Lua: The fastest language in the world. It is used to program things that need speed. Some game engines, like Telltale Tool, uses Lua. Lua does not have enough libraries to help it grow beyond Python, though.

  • C: Let’s not forget our dear old friend! C is still used widely in the world. Github, Mastercard, Twitter still use this language. NASA sometimes use C to program their satellites. Besides, several embedded systems and microcontrollers, like the Arduino IDE use C programming.

There are more such languages like Ruby and Erlang, which are popular too. But as a beginner, you should focus on one language you wish to work in the most.

How and Where to Learn?

This brings us to the question, how to start learning a programming language? The answer is simpler than you think. There are lots of online lectures you can attend to learn to program. There are many places to practice programming too. Here are our picks to do both.

Learn Programming

  • Codecademy: This is a good place to learn to program. They have a website that has a built-in place to do programs. They teach by giving small assignments which you complete in order to proceed.
  • Udemy: They have lots of courses to help you learn to program. The courses are paid, and they give you certificates of completion that have great value. They have pre-recorded videos that are super-informative. 
  • Coursera: The third place is Coursera. Coursera has lectures from the best universities of the world. They have pre-recorded videos too, and they give completion certificates if you pass their weekly tests. 

Practise Programming

  • HackerEarth: This is a place where the companies look to hire good talents. You can practice programming here. There are programming questions for everyone, be in expert or beginner. 
  • HackerRank: This is similar to HackerEarth. HackerRank also contains many programming questions that you can solve in order to sharpen your skills.

For Materials

  • Geeksforgeeks: This is a famous place for programming aspirants. Geeksforgeeks contains almost all the answers to any errors you may encounter. The answers are posted by developers themselves. A perfect stop if you get stuck.
  • Github: Another popular stop for all coders. Github is the place to keep your projects and reports saved. Github is the option if you want to use someone else’s project files or codes.

Conclusion

Programming is as exciting as anything can be. Working seriously for two months can make you thank yourself for choosing this path in your career. With perfect concepts, good understanding, and practice, you can be a good programmer before you know it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if I am poor in programming? Will it affect my future?

Not at all. You should do what you are good at. While you can always try learning programming in a better way, not every successful person knows how to program.

  • Do some programming languages have better scope for job-seekers than others?

All popular programming languages have equal scope globally, and learning any one of them is rewarding. Though we suggest that you learn more than one language just in case, it comes in handy.

  • What if I am already in my final year of college and I still don’t know how to program well?

If you are suffering from poor results in your computer programming classes, the reason may be that you are not being taught the concepts well. However, just like any language, learning a programming language is also a step-by-step method.

  • Why do I get so many errors in my program? Is it a matter of concern?

No. Getting errors while programming is a GOOD sign. When it comes to programming, it is impossible to make it perfect in one go. Debuggers are paid for a reason. Learn to understand the error message, and you will be able to fix the errors yourself.

  • I really want to be a programmer, but I am not studying in a computer-related field. Can I still pursue a career in programming?

Of course, you can. Programming is for all, and nowadays, all students from all streams must have some knowledge of programming. You can ask your computer teachers for assistance, or go online to search about your queries.

Is Programming Hard? – Where to Start?

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