Hey! Greetings to all coders on Nland...am a newbie, I never knew what computer programming is until I met a friend last year during my service period who explain the nitty gritty of what it is to me and how it can bail me out most especially in this recession period where the future seems uncertain for unemployed graduate. ..... I didn't take him serious then even when he offer to teach me for free.
Now the reality Is dawn on me after few months in the favor market.
I really wanna learn programming now ,but having tried to follow some online tutorial like Like Free code camp, Codecademy and w3schools to learn JavaScript I still felt that am not improving the way I aught to , pls what suggestions can you give someone like me, a beginner who does not have money to enroll in one of this IT school, how did you suggest I go about it? Also if you are a newbie like me please comd in and let learn how to code togetherz.....also is video tutorials good for learning for a complete beginner like me?
#Biafrabushboy ,
DHTML
Javanian
WhyAmISoQuiet
4dor
Yorex2011
pcguru1

Hello sasquareT,

As a newbie Video tutorials aren't a had Idea, I have a ton of them as well as books. Try to experiment with both to see which suits you.

For a beginner, I'd suggest you learn Web Development first as its not as difficult to get into as others and you can start getting paid jobs in no time (if you are creative and work hard).

Programming is mostly problem solving and algorithm.

You need to start thinking like a problem solver. Synthax is pretty much useless without problem solving skills.

So with all that said, I'd suggest you start with the following.

Html
Css
Javascript

This is your starter pack for web development and pretty much your foundations.

If i have time, I can create a thread for you separately so that I can guide you on how to learn and learn well.

I'd suggest 10hrs html(with bootstrap) , 10hrs CSS, 20 hrs Javascript

After these first 40hrs, we will then decide which backend stack you will like to learn. As well as a database technology

The popular ones are Php, Ruby, Node and Python.

I'm a Php person so I'd naturally tell you to learn php lol.

But by the time you get to this point, you should be comfortable knowing how to learn a new language.


I'd suggest 100hrs on whichever stack you chose as there are a lot of things to be learnt.

During your 100hrs of backend we will also mix in about 10 hours of MySql

When we are done, you'd then learn a framework to help make your development faster,

For Php I'd suggest laravel and for python I'd suggest django.

There is meteorjs, sailsjs etc for node too and rails for ruby

I'd suggest at least 75 hours here too as you will be introduced to a lot of new concepts.


At this point, you should be Comfortable enough to build your own web sites and web applications.


Its now time to start applying for jobs or mini contracts.



When you are comfortable making web applications, we can then revisit your frontend (Javascript) and learn a framework for it (either React, Angular or Vue) as they are the most popular. Learning these will give your skillset a great boost and you'd be able to apply for more jobs or build more sophisticated applications.

React is especially good because of their React Native Platform which can help you build stunning mobile applications.


While doing everything above, it is imperative you read articles, look at other people's codes, and keep up to date with technologies. These can be especially helpful in job interviews.

At some point you will want to pick Java, Python, C, C++ or C#. The key here is not about knowing how to code in 2000 languages but knowing how to think like a software engineer to solve problems in the best way possible, you should be able to pick up syntax easily.

Whatever you chose to do here is entirely up to you, there are a ton of cool stuff to learn. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing,

I wish you all the best in your journey to Mastery.



REMEMBER, ANYTHING CAN BE EASY, YOU JUST NEED TO FOCUS AND MASTER THE ART OF LEARNING.

It's perfectly normal to feel this way don't be too hard on yourself. What have you built with the Javascript you've learnt? The best way to become a good developer is to build something, it doesn't have to be something advanced. You can start by building a simple todo list to plan your day.

Video tutorials are good, I still use them. Btw what's your target? Front or Backend development?

yorex2011:
Hello sasquareT,

As a newbie Video tutorials aren't a had Idea, I have a ton of them as well as books. Try to experiment with both to see which suits you.

For a beginner, I'd suggest you learn Web Development first as its not as difficult to get into as others and you can start getting paid jobs in no time (if you are creative and work hard).

Programming is mostly problem solving and algorithm.

You need to start thinking like a problem solver. Synthax is pretty much useless without problem solving skills.

So with all that said, I'd suggest you start with the following.

Html
Css
Javascript

This is your starter pack for web development and pretty much your foundations.

If i have time, I can create a thread for you separately so that I can guide you on how to learn and learn well.

I'd suggest 10hrs html(with bootstrap) , 10hrs CSS, 20 hrs Javascript

After these first 40hrs, we will then decide which backend stack you will like to learn. As well as a database technology

The popular ones are Php, Ruby, Node and Python.

I'm a Php person so I'd naturally tell you to learn php lol.

But by the time you get to this point, you should be comfortable knowing how to learn a new language.


I'd suggest 100hrs on whichever stack you chose as there are a lot of things to be learnt.

During your 100hrs of backend we will also mix in about 10 hours of MySql

When we are done, you'd then learn a framework to help make your development faster,

For Php I'd suggest laravel and for python I'd suggest django.

There is meteorjs, sailsjs etc for node too and rails for ruby

I'd suggest at least 75 hours here too as you will be introduced to a lot of new concepts.


At this point, you should be Comfortable enough to build your own web sites and web applications.


Its now time to start applying for jobs or mini contracts.



When you are comfortable making web applications, we can then revisit your frontend (Javascript) and learn a framework for it (either React, Angular or Vue) as they are the most popular. Learning these will give your skillset a great boost and you'd be able to apply for more jobs or build more sophisticated applications.

React is especially good because of their React Native Platform which can help you build stunning mobile applications.


While doing everything above, it is imperative you read articles, look at other people's codes, and keep up to date with technologies. These can be especially helpful in job interviews.

At some point you will want to pick Java, Python, C, C++ or C#. The key here is not about knowing how to code in 2000 languages but knowing how to think like a software engineer to solve problems in the best way possible, you should be able to pick up syntax easily.

Whatever you chose to do here is entirely up to you, there are a ton of cool stuff to learn. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing,

I wish you all the best in your journey to Mastery.



REMEMBER, ANYTHING CAN BE EASY, YOU JUST NEED TO FOCUS AND MASTER THE ART OF LEARNING.

this is really great....thanks alot boss, where did you base sir am currently in lagos, Ikorodu precisely, i want you to mentor me.
i am familiar with html and css now reason why i picked up javascript.
which books and video tutorial will you recommend for me sir?
thanks again for the encouragement sir

4dor:
It's perfectly normal to feel this way don't be too hard on yourself. What have you built with the Javascript you've learnt? The best way to become a good developer is to build something, it doesn't have to be something advanced. You can start by building a simple todo list to plan your day.

Video tutorials are good, I still use them. Btw what's your target? Front or Backend development?

For now Front End sir

sasquareT:

For now Front End sir

Concentrate on the basics, HTML, CSS, recreate your favorite sites using these two once you're through you can move to learning a JS framework (this is subject to your mastery and understanding of JS)

[quote author=yorex2011 post=65230570]Hello sasquareT,
best advice

I am a Newbie to Programming also. A friend introduced me to the world of Programming sometimes last Year November to be precise.
I have watched countless numbers of videos coupled with ebooks over the last few months on html, css, JavaScript, Jquery and of course php and mysql.
But the most disappointing thing however is that I am currently struggling to build a particular Website that has to do with database which i intend to build from scratch and I still felt Like i dont know anything yet !
However, I Like the encouragement given by yorex 2011 and 4dor... Thats because its pretty applicable to me too!
Sasquare T, I live in lagos also... Ladipo-oshodi to be precise.

Dawudski:
I am a Newbie to Programming also. A friend introduced me to the world of Programming sometimes last Year November to be precise.
I have watched countless numbers of videos coupled with ebooks over the last few months on html, css, JavaScript, Jquery and of course php and mysql.
But the most disappointing thing however is that I am currently struggling to build a particular Website that has to do with database which i intend to build from scratch and I still felt Like i dont know anything yet !
However, I Like the encouragement given by yorex 2011 and 4dor... Thats because its pretty applicable to me too!
Sasquare T, I live in lagos also... Ladipo-oshodi to be precise.

Nice that you reside in Lag we can learn and share ideas together if you don't mind.
Please WhatSap me on this no 08136340849

Okay, no problem bro!

Hello,

This is a group on meetup.com for programming beginners.

You can check it out here: https://www.meetup.com/Learn-to-code-in-2018

If you are a newbie programmer, you should consider coming for the first meetup scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm.

Regards.

yorex2011:
Hello sasquareT,

As a newbie Video tutorials aren't a had Idea, I have a ton of them as well as books. Try to experiment with both to see which suits you.

For a beginner, I'd suggest you learn Web Development first as its not as difficult to get into as others and you can start getting paid jobs in no time (if you are creative and work hard).

Programming is mostly problem solving and algorithm.

You need to start thinking like a problem solver. Synthax is pretty much useless without problem solving skills.

So with all that said, I'd suggest you start with the following.

Html
Css
Javascript

This is your starter pack for web development and pretty much your foundations.

If i have time, I can create a thread for you separately so that I can guide you on how to learn and learn well.

I'd suggest 10hrs html(with bootstrap) , 10hrs CSS, 20 hrs Javascript

After these first 40hrs, we will then decide which backend stack you will like to learn. As well as a database technology

The popular ones are Php, Ruby, Node and Python.

I'm a Php person so I'd naturally tell you to learn php lol.

But by the time you get to this point, you should be comfortable knowing how to learn a new language.


I'd suggest 100hrs on whichever stack you chose as there are a lot of things to be learnt.

During your 100hrs of backend we will also mix in about 10 hours of MySql

When we are done, you'd then learn a framework to help make your development faster,

For Php I'd suggest laravel and for python I'd suggest django.

There is meteorjs, sailsjs etc for node too and rails for ruby

I'd suggest at least 75 hours here too as you will be introduced to a lot of new concepts.


At this point, you should be Comfortable enough to build your own web sites and web applications.


Its now time to start applying for jobs or mini contracts.



When you are comfortable making web applications, we can then revisit your frontend (Javascript) and learn a framework for it (either React, Angular or Vue) as they are the most popular. Learning these will give your skillset a great boost and you'd be able to apply for more jobs or build more sophisticated applications.

React is especially good because of their React Native Platform which can help you build stunning mobile applications.


While doing everything above, it is imperative you read articles, look at other people's codes, and keep up to date with technologies. These can be especially helpful in job interviews.

At some point you will want to pick Java, Python, C, C++ or C#. The key here is not about knowing how to code in 2000 languages but knowing how to think like a software engineer to solve problems in the best way possible, you should be able to pick up syntax easily.

Whatever you chose to do here is entirely up to you, there are a ton of cool stuff to learn. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing,

I wish you all the best in your journey to Mastery.



REMEMBER, ANYTHING CAN BE EASY, YOU JUST NEED TO FOCUS AND MASTER THE ART OF LEARNING.

Is it compulsory that every programmer must start with web development technologies? I mean HTML, CSS, Javascript. what if the person interest is in desktop, mobile applications etc, can't he go into things like Java,,, C# etc without the HTML stuff? please clarify

Saintp:


Is it compulsory that every programmer must start with web development technologies? I mean HTML, CSS, Javascript. what if the person interest is in desktop, mobile applications etc, can't he go into things like Java,,, C# etc without the HTML stuff? please clarify

Sure he can, but like I said, it's slightly easier plus you can start building real usable stuff faster than desktop or mobile applications.

Like I said, its just a suggestion.

I suggest sticking to a structured program like free code camp, if you have no one to mentor you. That doesn't mean that you should not learn from resources, you will have to read ebooks, blog posts, tutorials and even videos from other sites to gain understanding. Still, stick to a structured program like freecodecamp as it will help you track your progress as you solve the challenges. Just focus on front-end development for now with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap and jQuery and maybe Reactjs (if you want to learn a front end framework). Also join programming groups and communities on social media.
I faced this situation once and I stucked to freecodecamp and I can say it paid off. Also understand that learning programming as a beginner is hard work and it takes time, you don't have to give up.
By the time you have made major progress, begin experimenting with back end technologies. If I'm to recommend a language I'll say JavaScript/nodejs though you can learn raw php to have an idea of how back-end/server programming works, then switch back to JavaScript/nodejs because it's popular now, builds on what you already know therefore saving time, and freecodecamp use it for back end. Build API micro services and two or more full web apps including one with front end framework like React , deploy them. Then you will be a fullstack developer. Also learn how to use tools like git and github, you need this in your career.