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What would be the best way to learn coding or for a career in computer science?

I am in 11th grade. I find websites and the creation of code interesting. #computer-science # #coding #technology #programming

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Ratan’s Answer

I would suggest to register with one of the following web site
1. https://www.codecademy.com/
2. https://codehs.com/
3. https://www.khanacademy.org/computing
and start with some basic courses like
1. Data structure
2. Basic algorithms
3. Basic programming in languages like Java for backend, Swift for iOS programming and Kotlin for Android programming or HTML/javascript/CSS if you want to learn how to design a web site
Thank you

Ratan recommends the following next steps:

Once you finish above then you can start to explore more advanced concepts like big data, machine learning and AI (the topics of today)
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Doc’s Answer

Ziah to advance your coding career, look into earning programming certification to enhance your employment opportunities. Programming certification is offered through several different vendors and will demonstrate your proficiency with software programs. For example, earning Oracle Java certification ensures that you have the knowledge and skills to use this programming code. Most professionals specialize in several programming languages. However, a BACHELOR'S DEGREE usually results in a higher-paying career with more flexible options. A bachelor's or associate's degree in the field will require courses in computer science, programming, web development, operating systems, database concepts, and computer architecture.

Consider your academic interests, personal strengths, and long-term career goals when deciding whether to pursue a computer programming or general computer science degree Ziah. A computer programming concentration may be the best option for students pursuing programmer jobs after graduation. Employers offering computer programming positions typically prefer applicants with in-depth programming knowledge. Computer programming majors master several programming languages and can hit the ground running at new programming jobs. Computer programming degrees prepare graduates specifically for jobs writing code. Students considering other tech careers may benefit from a general computer science curriculum.

A general computer science program provides a broad overview of computing theory and develops a variety of computer science and tech skills. Students might earn a general computer science degree instead of a computer programming degree if they want a more versatile education that explores many tech topics, including software development and network architecture. Computer programming degrees prepare graduates specifically for jobs writing code. Students considering other tech careers may benefit from a general computer science curriculum. Many of these programs also offer concentrations or courses in computer programming.

Hope this is helpful Ziah
Thank you comment icon Thank you, I appreciate your advice on this matter. Ziah
Thank you comment icon The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be Ziah, thats code for anything in life is possible. Doc Frick
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Leo’s Answer

There are lots of great online resources that let you explore and try out different programming languages and what can be done with code.

As you think about what comes after high school, I wanted to share that I entered college as a computer science major without having done much coding (I read and played around with sample code). The first two years really opened my eyes about computer science: it's about understanding the technologies for building and making things in the digital world. Coding is a very important skill in the digital world, but its tool, and not the end product.

As you explore coding, I'd recommend you also focus on what it is you like to build, eg. visual web pages that bring pages and images from the physical world to digital, or complex search algorithms for making sense of the mountain of chaotic information, or test frameworks that keep the digital world from falling over. You'll learn new programming languages over time, but the fundamentals of how you break apart a problem and piece back together the solution through logic and instructions to make something novel will remain unchanged.
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Kris’s Answer

Seek out a coding bootcamp, either local to you or virtual (https://www.switchup.org/rankings/best-online-bootcamps). They are intense, but you'll learn a lot. In addition to codeacademy.com, there are great courses available at Udemy and Pluralsight.
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Gina’s Answer

To learn coding and pursue a career in computer science, here are some steps you can take:

1. Start with the basics: Begin by learning the fundamentals of programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript. Online platforms like Codecademy, Coursera, or Udemy offer introductory courses that can help you grasp the basics.

2. Practice regularly: Coding is a skill that improves with practice. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on coding projects or exercises. Consistency is key to building your coding skills.

3. Build projects: Apply your coding knowledge by working on personal projects. Start with small projects and gradually increase their complexity. Building projects will help you gain hands-on experience and showcase your skills to potential employers or universities.

4. Join coding communities: Engage with coding communities and forums to connect with other learners and experienced programmers. Platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, or Reddit can provide opportunities to ask questions, seek advice, and collaborate on coding projects.

5. Take computer science courses: If your school offers computer science courses, enroll in them to gain a structured understanding of computer science concepts. These courses can provide a solid foundation and expose you to different areas of computer science.

6. Participate in coding competitions: Participating in coding competitions, such as those organized by platforms like HackerRank or Codeforces, can help you improve your problem-solving skills and gain recognition for your coding abilities.

7. Pursue internships or coding bootcamps: Consider internships or coding bootcamps to gain practical experience and learn from industry professionals. These opportunities can provide valuable insights into real-world coding practices and help you build a professional network.

8. Stay updated on industry trends: The field of computer science is constantly evolving. Stay updated on the latest technologies, programming languages, and industry trends by following tech blogs, attending webinars, or joining online communities.

9. Pursue higher education: Consider pursuing a degree in computer science or a related field at a college or university. A formal education can provide a comprehensive understanding of computer science principles and open doors to more advanced career opportunities.

Remember, learning coding and computer science is a continuous journey. Be patient, persistent, and embrace the mindset of lifelong learning. As you gain experience and knowledge, consider building a portfolio of your coding projects to showcase your skills to potential employers or universities.

Good luck to you!
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Le’s Answer

Computer Science is one of the most attractive and attractive professions for young people today, so the competition for careers related to this major is very high. Therefore, I can say that it is great for you to start researching and finding your passion. Just like me when I was just a high school student, I also researched and questioned what was the best way to learn coding. Based on my personal experience and my first experience with coding, I took coding classes in high school and I think these classes will help you in your coding and programming skills. Also, I also joined the club about Computer Science which Tech lovers can learn from each other and communicate. In my opinion, this is the closest and easiest approach for you to better understand the world of technology and know what you really like. In addition, there are many online courses on coding as well as programming related things. I am taking a Web Development Bootcamp and Python Developer Course at Udemy, which is also one of the most prestigious and easy-to-learn institutes, so I I think you should experience and give yourself a chance to learn and shine.

Good luck on your chosen path!
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Roy’s Answer

Hello Ziah,
First great choice and field.
There are so many opportunities from this field and connecting fields that you can almost not go wrong.
With the crazy world in which we live, working from home, telecommuting, Space travel, etc. just more and more utilization of Computers.
Looking back to my 11th Grade (long ago) :) I did not know either and definitely would have laughed at you if you told me where I would end up.
But here I am 40+ years in the Computer Industry.

My advice would be to investigate it, you seem to have an interest so pursue it as some others below advised. See if you can get any kind of summer work with computers, or an internship to see what it's like. Have fun with it, some folks develop APPs for needs they have and gain knowledge and some $$. There are clubs, organizations, companies, investigate the internet, look for those that are of interest to you.
Sports related, General Business, gaming, Cyber Security, try if you can think about areas that of interest to you, even without computers. Most of the successful people I know are passionate about what they do, have fun doing it, why not your going to be working a few years.
Depending upon the field you like, Math, Physics, these days Biology. It's amazing what computers are doing never mind just your Cell Phone.
Whatever you choose, be flexible as you go in life to change, remain relevant ( I have multiple degrees, and did not like school) keep up with the current events, and have a great time doing it. Just by asking I can see you care, and want to do good. There is a ton out there to succeed at. It's perfectly OK if you don't know exactly what you want to do.
Try something, and keep away from those areas you don't want to do.
I can code, I'm not that good at it, but I can. I work as a liason between those that code and the business. I still have to have a great Computer background and Business Background. If I had to code all day long I would not like it. You need to try some things to see what you would like.
Internships, volunteering at places that need help are good ways to investigate without fully committing.

Good luck, my best to you always.
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Antony’s Answer

A lot of good advice on resources and training. However, those are all a means to an end. There is nothing more rewarding then creating something. Coding (and learning to code; and efficient code) is just the tool to get you there. Create projects for yourself like starting a new mobile app (even if copying an idea to make it better for learning). Also look for groups to learn with such as Hackathons, competitions, and user groups. Great programmers tinker and are always playing around with new ideas.
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Prakash’s Answer

Hi Ziah,

There is already a great list of resources mentioned here for you to start with. I will add https://www.freecodecamp.org/ and https://scrimba.com/ to the list too.
- Try couple of sites mentioned in different answers already, but stick to just one site to finish up specific course or career path.
- Make a group of people with same interest (just one more is enough) to start group discussion on different topics, ideas and progress
- Make it a habit to code everyday
- As you mentioned you like websites, you can start with learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript or front-end development path on these learning sites, but before you jump into this first finish up a course on any lanauge (Java, C#, Python, JavaScript) to understand the cocepts of programming.

Hope you already have a good start.
Thanks
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Emmett’s Answer

Just wanted to mention hackathons, since no one has touched on that yet! Back during pre-Covid times, hackathons were some of my favorite places to meet other tech-minded people, scarf down free food, build something fun with no consequences, get an adrenaline rush from not sleeping, and win cool prizes (sometimes). You can go to practice a language/framework you already know or learn a new one! And they're super welcoming to first-time attendees--there are people of all skill levels and experience types, and lots of people go without knowing anyone else there. During one hackathon I attended, there were Macbooks prizes given to the best team made up of only newcomers (i.e. people who had never done hackathons before). I'm not sure how many are in-person right now due to Covid, but online hackathons may be even better because you can sleep in your own home and not have to travel, if a hackathon usually takes place far away. There are also online CTFs (Capture the Flag competitions), which are like hackathons, but for penetration testing (cybersecurity).
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Brayden’s Answer

Hello!

Learning code is challenging and takes time to learn all the tips and trick that are out there. Depending on the language there are certain shortcuts that can drastically reduce the amount it takes for you to write your program. When I was starting to learn code I was using solver programs like MatLab to help solve algebraic functions that would be difficult to solve without. MatLab is a great starting system becuase you learn how to create basic code and overtime you will find ways to make your code shorter and flow better. I know when I started my code was very direct, do this, solve that etc., and as I spent more time working the software I became more comfortable setting myself up to have a long form code that achieved multiple steps throughout the code. Another good learning software is Arduino. When I used Arduino it was primary used for controlling small motors and sensors for a school project. Arduino is great because you are able to see the result of your code by watching something move, which is very cool. What's great about systems like python, matlab and arduino is that there are a ton of online forums that you can use to talk with people through issues you may be having.

Hopefully this helps!
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Mickael’s Answer

Hi Ziah,

For me, learning code means practice, practice and ... yes you guessed it, practice. There are two parts when it comes to writing code: the algorithm and the language. Both comes with theory and practice. Like Leo, for me, learning went through school classes, workshop and personal project. I took something I needed and start coding.
Couple example of projects:
- dice roller: I used to play role playing games a lot and I was annoyed when I had to roll 20 dice. So here I started with a small console based C code to do that. Then extended it to some UI.
- still in Role Playing Game, we used to play one where we needed to handle specific actions and thresholds that would go away after a while. I wrote a program where I entered the character skills and levels, request the action and the program was telling me what was happening.
- What movie to watch: this introduced a database with the idea of the program selecting movie titles we haven't seen for a while based on criteria like type of movie, duration ...
Then you learn from there. Like any other job I believe, coding comes with experience.
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Tim’s Answer

I believe Mickael covered the most important aspect of the best way to learn coding or for a career in computer science: practice. Like Mickael and Leo, for me also, I learned theory through school classes and practiced coding through side projects, internships, and online problems. That being said, my advice would be not to jump directly into programming and rather get the college education to build a solid foundation and understanding of Computer Science. Once you have the solid foundation, practicing can come afterwards where you can apply your knowledge and understanding by solving online problems on websites like Leetcode.
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Jeff’s Answer

I spoke to a colleague of mine who studied Computer Science, and he gave me some good advice:

Perfect Path to Master Coding for a Future in Computer Science:

- Enroll in a college course to grasp the basics and various languages. The core principles will forever be useful.
- When it comes to expanding your knowledge, there's a wealth of resources available, including popular platforms like YouTube.
- Remember, it's not only about understanding the coding language, but also about putting it into practice. Choose a problem, attempt to solve it, and keep repeating this process. This is the key to success!
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Michael’s Answer

Coding is not a career but rather a skill.
I assume you would like to pursue a career in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. My advice would be not to look for any shortcuts and to get the best possible college education. This will not only provide you with the coding skills but also will allow you to build a solid foundation and scientific understanding of Computer Science.
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Grace’s Answer

The best way to start learning is to be hands on! I definitely would recommend taking a course on a language you're interested in (e.g. react, node, java) on a site like https://www.codecademy.com/. Once you finish the course, I would create a GitHub account and start experimenting with a project of your own based on what you learned. Git Hub is a great place to browse other people's work and also practice the skills you learned in a course! Also, when you start applying to jobs many companies will look through your GitHub so it's a great way to start building it up.
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