How To Become A Programmer In 7 Stunning Steps — Coding Proton
“Software is a great combination between artistry and engineering” — Bill Gates.
So, you want to be a programmer or a software engineering but don’t know the right path to achieve this great goal? I still think the number one question that gets asked is how to become a programmer? Or how to become a software engineer? Or which language is best to learn? This article is going to be about that. We will take about the necessary steps to be a programmer. Still, before that, you should be able to answer the following questions:
Why do you want to be a programmer? What field do you want to get into? Which programming language will be suitable for your field?
I will be explaining these questions in detail to be easier for you to answer these questions.
First, we need to know:
What does a computer programmer do?
Before jumping towards the question how to become a programmer?, let’s talk about what a computer programmer do? A computer programmer writes and tests code that allows computer applications and software programs to function correctly. They tell a computer what to do with the help of a particular language called programming languages.
In the case of a web developer, they are responsible for developing websites and web applications by writing the code. They use various programming languages and web technologies. Managing site functionality, implementing application features, and integrating security measures are also web developers’ main job.
Software developers analyze the users’ needs and then designs and develop software to meet those needs by writing the necessary code. Design each component of the application or system and plan how the pieces will work together with software upgrades for customers’ existing programs and courses are crucial software developers’ responsibilities.
Now that we have known what a computer programmer does. Let’s get to the next question.
How to become a computer programmer step by step?
“Everybody should learn to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.” — Steve Jobs
Everybody should learn to code because it enhances your creativity and thinking process. But how are you going to learn to code? or how to become a programmer? Before that, everyone should answer the questions that I have described earlier.
Learn to code is not easy. But, I guarantee you, it will be the most fun thing you will ever learn. Becoming a programmer is one of the best choices you ever made.
Let me put the light on some advantages of becoming a programmer.
- Programmers are their boss. They work in the most fun and delightful way
- It enhances your problem-solving skill. Every day, you will face a challenge, and trust me, it is very much fun to solve them.
- Programming is straightforward to learn, that you can learn the basics of any within a month. However, you have to give a good time to master this skill.
There are hundreds of reasons for becoming a programmer. You cannot be a programmer except you have a reason. So first, you need to find your field of interest to become a programmer. It’s just like problem-solving. Don’t worry; this article is all about solving this problem. Think it like a game and every step like a level. So, there are going to be different levels:
Level 1: Recognize Why becoming a programmer
The first and one of the most essential step, before considering the question how to become a programmer, is to find your field of interest. So, think hard and recognize the reason for becoming a programmer.
What do you want to do with programming?
Ask yourself what outcome do you want. You have to be specific. What do you want with programming? There are hundreds of sub-niches in programming you can get into. But you have again you should only get into that field that fun doing for you.
Are you serious about learning programming?
Now, this is going to be an essential question. Are you serious about learning this skill? Because no one wants to trash their time learning the skill, he/she is not serious about it. If you are serious around it, then give as much time to master this skill.
Level 2: Find your field of interest
In which field are you interested working in. There are many fields in programming. If you intend to be a programmer, you need to choose an area that interests you. Some of the most in-demand niches are:
Software Developer
The role of a software developer includes identifying, designing, developing, and testing software systems. They are responsible for creating programs that can help a business be more efficient in producing systems. Software developers are the brains at the back of computer programs of all kinds.
Web Developer
Web Developers are those creatives and masterminds who design and create interactive and fully functioning websites. They are responsible for the look and feel of the entire website. They are also accountable for the site’s functional aspects, such as performance, speed, and capacity.
Some of the web development standard job titles
Full-Stack Developer
Full-Stack Developers are the masterminds who can develop both client and server-side software. In addition to mastering HTML and CSS, they also know programming a browser, server, and database. They have learned all the techniques involved in the development project. They are also able to make a prototype very rapidly.
Data Scientist
Data science is all about collecting data, analyzing, and decision-making. Data Science is finding patterns in data with the help of analysis and making future predictions. With data science, companies can make better decisions, predictive analysis, and predictive discoveries.
A Data Scientist needs expertise in more than one topic, including Programming, Machine Learning, Statistics, Database, and Mathematics. Data Science must be able to recognize patterns within the data.
Mobile App Developer
Nowadays, we can see increasing competition among different mobile phone companies. With mobile apps, every company tries to provide the best experience to the users. To deliver the best experience to the users, it needs high-quality programming. To achieve high-quality programming, it needs a mastermind mobile app developer.
So, it won’t be wrong to say that mobile app development is the most in-demand skill. A mobile app developer is a person who designs, develops, and tests apps for mobile phones and tablets.
Data Administrator
Data Administrators (DBAs) are responsible for organizing data. Their job includes capacity planning, installation, configurations, database design, migration, performance monitoring, security, troubleshooting, backup, and data recovery. If you intend to be a data administrator, you need to master all these skills.
Level 3: Time to learn a programming language
Now that you have known your field of interest, this is the time to learn a programming language relevant to your niche. You don’t require to learn every programming language to be a programmer. As there are many types of programmers, you only need to learn those languages which are relevant to your field. For example, you will need HTML, CSS, and JavaScript if your field of interest is front-end development.
Similarly, if you want to develop mobile apps, you need to learn Java or Swift. You will need Python to become a data scientist. To make it at ease for you, I have curated a list of programming languages for some of the most popular jobs.
Front-end Development
Front-end development is a technique of converting data into a graphical interface. If you want to become a front-end developer, the first step you need to take is to learn HTML and CSS.
Yet HTML is not a programming language, it is a markup language. If front-end development is the field you love, then the first step will be to learn HTML and CSS. They are exclusively used together to design an interface of any website. You can learn HTML and CSS from Sololearn for free.
The next step is to learn JavaScript. JavaScript is a programming language that is applied for many purposes. In front-end development, JavaScript is used to develop the behavior of the elements. If you decide to be a front-end developer, then without JavaScript, it is not possible.
Back-end Development
Back-end development is simply used to bring front-end development to life. Let’s take the example of a human being. If a human body is front-end, then the brain is the back-end its.
Back-end makes sure the data and systems requested by the front-end application or software are efficiently delivered. A front-end always needs a back-end. Otherwise, it would be an inactive skeleton. Python, Ruby, and PHP are some of the most popular back-end development languages.
Data Science
Data science is a versatile field that uses scientific techniques, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge from data.
Python is one of the highly loved and too wanted data science programming languages. It is object-oriented, open-source, and effortless to learn a programming language. It has a massive set of libraries and tools designed for data science. Python also has a vast community where developers can ask their queries and answer other questions.
Python plays a crucial role in data science. It is often the best choice for various Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, etc. Data science libraries such as Keras, TensorFlow, matplotlib, Scikit-Learn, etc., are some of the most powerful libraries. Python is one of the highly utilized programming languages for data science.
Learn more about Top 10 Data Science Programming Languages .
Mobile App Development
Mobile app development is a process by which mobile applications are developed for mobile devices. Many languages are used for mobile app development. Java (for android) and Swift (for iOS) are the most popular programming languages you should learn to be a mobile app developer.
To learn more about the languages for mobile app development, you can read 15 Best Programming Languages for Mobile App Development 2021 .
Level 4: Always keep practicing
“If you don’t practice, you don’t deserve to win” — Andre Agassi
Now, you have learned the languages relevant to your job, but this is not enough. You need to practice a lot to be a master at that to get a job. If you don’t practice, you will not be able to solve the problems you face. Practice makes a man perfect.
To turn out to be a good programmer, you need to practice a lot. So, Practice, Practice, and Practice.
Level 5: Do some Dummy Projects
If you want to get hold of a job, you need to have a good portfolio. While you practice, build your portfolio. Because the portfolio is one of the crucial things that make you stand out from the crowd. The best way to develop a portfolio is to save all your practice material. Building a portfolio website will also be a great idea to show your portfolio. So, to build a portfolio, you need to keep working. And that only possible if you practice a lot.
Level 6: Apply For a Job
So, you have learned all the programming languages that are required for your field of interest. And you have practice a lot and built an outstanding portfolio. Now, this is the time for applying for a job.
Send your CV and all the pieces of information that the employer wants. If you don’t respond from the employer, you need to consider the mistakes you have made. Don’t expect to get the job in your first interview. You always need to practice presenting your skills to the employer. And keep applying.
Level 7: Expand Your Knowledge By Teaching
The best way to learn is by teaching. If you teach to someone else, that means you are on the next phase of learning.
Every treasure in the world decreases by spending. But, knowledge is the only treasure that increases by spend. So, expand your knowledge by spending.
Always try and learn something new every day. There are many free online courses, a lot of blogs, and many Youtube videos you can learn from.
Conclusion
Programming is a rapidly emerging field. Learning the necessary skills to be a programmer today does not mean you will remain a good programmer in the next few years. So, you should keep learning and stay updated on every challenge you would face. Summarizing the whole article, to be a programmer, you should know why becoming a programmer then find your field of interest. Learn the programming languages relevant to your field, keep practicing, do some dummy projects, build your portfolio, and finally apply for jobs. And also always keep learning. Hope you got the answer to the question how to become a programmer? If you still have any confusion you can ask me any time. Happy Coding!
Originally published at https://codingproton.com.
