Why should I learn programming?
Learning programming is the need for students, professionals, business heads. Programming basics helps us develop logical and analytical skills. While we do not understand the need at an early age, it is imperative for a logical bent of mind. How logically you can analyze a situation and find the solution to it, depends on your analytical skills. Analytical skills are developed by the questions of How, When, What and Why? We remember reading the encyclopedias during our childhood days…”Still More. Tell me Why?”. Similarly when we
start questioning about the How When What and Why of the technology, we develop the urge to learn programming.
At the K-12 standard, we teach our kids the anatomy of a computer.
We teach some theoretical concepts of number crunching machines. With a few definitions of “parts of computer”. Students almost forget these definitions after attempting the examinations? What are we teaching anyway? Learning computer is much beyond cramming a few lines of definitions or code or just a power point presentation.
Why does multimedia seem interesting for the students? With the newly launched devices with multimedia apps it seems the demand for multimedia proficiency is ever increasing. But what is the actual reason of its popularity among Non-IT professionals? After a lot of research, it has been found that the immediate output of the efforts is what drive the quest for multimedia. Whereas, in programming you need to learn and develop various skills while you wait to see the fruit of your entire effort. Here, I am not talking about the simple programs like Hello World!! I am talking about the real applications for which you need to have experience and patience to explore.
It is the programming basics with which we begin to develop applications that range from ERP solutions, Multimedia, Financial, CRM, etc. Even if you do not intend to work on developing these applications, you at least need to know the basics of programming to understand the logic behind the functioning of any software application or apps.
How can I learn programming?
While programming can be learnt online as well as offline, it is advisable to take online programming courses. Unlike learning a language or a craft online, learning programming online will give you a better understanding of the various tools that you would use while writing programs. It gives you hands on experience in writing the code from the scratch as well as using various online tools. For example: when you try to learn HTML with an online editor like https://www.w3schools.com/html/tryit.asp?filename=tryhtml_intro , you can see the results instantly. It is free and very easy to use and get started with learning HTML. Similarly there are other compilers and editors available for various programming languages for you to practice.
Other than that, when you learn programming online you get to explore a host of available resources. If you feel that you are stuck while writing a program, you can search for snippets of code. Although it is not advisable to search for code online, unless you are already proficient in the language, you can still make use of various resources for self learning.
While taking an online course, especially as a beginner, it is important that you look for instructor support. Without the constant guidance of the mentor/instructor, trying out learning a new skill can be intimidating.
What language should I start with?
Whether or not you want to pursue programming as a profession, you should always begin with programming basics. When you understand the fundamentals of programming, you will be able to write logically efficient and correct programs. Programming basics does not relate to one specific programming language, but it explains the working of a program in terms of logic and is represented using algorithms and flowcharts. The pseudo code is then converted into programs written in the appropriate programming language of your choice. Thereon, you can advance towards learning other programming languages as per your requirement.
Types of programming languages used for software development
- Markup
- Scripting
- Programming
All the languages have varied syntax and structure. They are used for different purposes, sometimes independently or in fusion with others, depending on requirement of the software. Each program in a specific programming language is a building block. Many such building blocks of various types combine together to form a building, that is to say various programs would be combined together to form a single software, although not necessary.
If you wish to only develop the front end of a website, then HTML alone would be sufficient. But if you also wish to add design aesthetics to it, you would need to learn CSS. If you would want to add dynamic functionality on the website, you would further need JavaScript. If you want to add data for the store, such as any form of e-commerce website, you would need database management and not to forget server side scripting or programming or both to connect your website with back end at the server. Thus the building blocks are endless. You need to start at the foundation, and keep on adding as you advance.