How to Learn Any Programming Language Online in 2021
By: Alex Vypirailenko
Tags: Coding, Learn To Code, Learning To Code, Programming, Programming Languages

Photo by Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash

Programming offers a lot of benefits. Many people want to learn it, but making the first move is quite difficult. The coding universe might seem daunting from a distance, and a lot of people tend to turn away because they don’t know how to learn and understand so many things. If you wish to learn the art of programming, you need to choose a starting point. Just a decade or so ago, it was incredibly confusing. But today it’s pretty simple.

There are many fairly affordable and even free courses that you can subscribe for to learn how to program. However how can one decide which language they should learn first? Now, in an ideal scenario, you should consider checking out the most widely used programming languages, and then make your choice. After you learn that language and fully master it, you can work your way towards more complex concepts.

Why Learn Programming?

Learning how to code could open a lot of new doors for you. Here are a few things that might convince you to learn programming.

You Get a Higher Salary!

This is perhaps one of the most obvious reasons. If you compare the average salary of a software developer with other mainstream professions, you will realize that most developers end up making a lot more. First, software developers are in high demand, and their skills are incredibly valuable. A Java developer, for instance, can make about $80,000 a year. On average, almost all programmers earn over $75,000 per year.

Expansive Career Opportunities

If you learn programming, you will be able to contribute to a wide range of different industries. You can decide to be a freelancer and work for yourself, or you can join a local company. Software developers are hired by all kinds of industries, ranging from banking to cybersecurity to manufacturing and other processing companies.

Work on Something Cool

As a software developer you will gain independence and a sense of purpose that you can’t achieve in any other profession. You can create cool things on your own and contribute to global innovation.

Extensive Community Support

The IT community is one of the strongest professional communities. It is incredibly active and helpful, and there’s information available on virtually any topic that you can think of. For instance, GitHub is one of the largest software development platforms in the world. Medium is a platform where people write extensively about software solutions and tools that they have created. From Youtube videos to free resources and groups for discussions, the community is incredibly lively.

No Shortage of Learning Resources

If you are confused about how to learn programming, there’s nothing to worry about. There are hundreds of different learning resources available online, from specialized training courses to extensive video lessons. Many teachers use unique teaching approaches, so you will not only gain knowledge, but also a lot of fun.

Top 5 Popular Programming Languages and How to Learn Them

You will be spoilt for choice when looking for a programming language, to begin with. The most widely used are JavaScript, Java, Python, PHP, and C#. Their usage is extensive in a wide range of industries, from desktops and mobile platforms, cloud-based applications to scientific experimentation. This place is as good to begin as any other. You can start to learn programming right away.

Java

Java is incredibly famous and you can use it for building a wide range of applications such as huge enterprise level web apps, websites, mobile and desktop applications. In fact, the most Android apps were written in Java.

Advantages

Java is relatively simple and straightforward for beginners; learning it is possible even if you know nothing about programming. Java, in particular, does not allow accessing memory directly. That means it is much more secure than C ++ that allows you to do this, and this often causes problems, especially for beginners. A separate security management component is also added.

Programs written in Java work on any platform (Windows, Linux, mobile OS). Once you write it for one platform, you shouldn’t completely rewrite it for the other. All you need is Java Virtual Machine (JVM), that “translates” your code for that platform. Of course, there may be certain system limitations, but nevertheless, this approach significantly speeds up multiplatform development.

Java is an object-oriented language. In short, it means that everything in Java is represented by objects, entities that have state and behavior. Objects are instances of classes that form an inheritance hierarchy. Don’t worry if you don’t understand anything. For beginners, this means that Java allows you to reuse what you have written and create scripts with minimal hassle.

Java supports multithreading, and this functionality is implemented very well in the language. The multi-threaded nature of this language ensures that several tasks can be run by the same program simultaneously.

Java has plenty of libraries for almost every task you can think of and you can freely use them in your work.

Where Can You Use Java?

Java is everywhere for now. You can deploy Java in a variety of industries. It is commonly employed for enterprise-level web server apps used by companies like Amazon and Google. Not only that, but Android, the top mobile operating system in the world, uses Java extensively. It is also used in many Big Data technologies and game development. Apart from that, numerous scientific applications and software tools are made with Java. Other examples of Java creations are Minecraft, IntelliJ IDEA, and Eclipse.

Resources to Learn Java

CodeGym.cc. This is one of the best websites for people who want to learn how to code. It has more than 1200 practical tasks and helps you hone your coding skills so that you acquire expertise in Java. CodeGym is also known for its top-notch teaching methods. You’ve got an automatic code validator, the tutorials use the latest techniques, including storytelling, gamification, visualization to make the learning process engaging and easier.

Java Language Fundamentals. I met a lot of students who thought that acquiring APIs and syntax were enough to understand Java. However, there are many more essential concepts of the language that are mandatory to learn. Java Language Fundamentals is an introductory course, where you can grasp an idea of how to effectively work with Java. Apart from that, you will master control flow in Java, object orientation, and collections, and acquire skills needed for writing your own Java apps.

Complete Java Masterclass. Available on Udemy, this is an all-in-one course that allows you to understand the initial concepts of Java and start programming. This 14-hour course will help you develop proficiency in Java 8 through 11. With over 480,000 students enrolled, it’s incredibly popular too.

JavaScript

Next comes JavaScript language. Today, it is a multi-paradigm programming language that enables interactive web pages and makes an important part of web apps. The use of JavaScript has expanded beyond its web browser roots and compiles into native mobile apps. Its engines are used to deploy server-side websites and non-browser apps along with AJAX, UI web apps, webOS, bookmarklets, etc.

Advantages

JavaScript is easy to understand and implement, which makes it beginner-friendly. Secondly, JS is available everywhere on the web, so its fame is unparalleled. Other than that, it provides fairly perfect compatibility with other languages and lets you use JS in a range of different applications.

JS also allows a coder to create a variety of rich interfaces, and since it is client-focused, it brings down the demand on the server machines. In short, JavaScript is a great option for those interested in front-end development and some other projects.

Where Can You Use JavaScript?

JavaScript runs in your web browser, so you don’t have to download any special applications. Node.js, however, is a runtime that allows for JavaScript to be used on server-side applications. The most known examples of JS use include the front-end of the websites.

Resources to Learn JavaScript

You can learn JavaScript from multiple places. These include:

Freecodecamp. FreeCodeCamp is one of the finest places to get online certifications and teach yourself to code without leaving home. It’s a non-profit organization focused on helping people develop their coding skills.

Learn JavaScript. This is a no-frills learning platform for people who want to improve their skills in JavaScript. It’s ideal for novice developers who already have a clear idea of what programming is. It uses flashcards to help you retain concepts, and hosts a list of projects to advance your learning.

Learn JS. Learn JS is a fantastic workspace to learn JavaScript coding with no hassle. It has tutorials ranging from the simplest to the advanced ones, making it one of the most comprehensive platforms for learning JS.

Python

Python is a versatile language used in backend web programming, analyzing data, AI, and deep learning. It’s very easy to understand, which makes it so sought-after for newbies. The community is also excellent, and there are libraries available for almost every task.

Advantages

Python is one of the easiest languages in case of readability and quite easy at problem-solving. It’s also compatible with numerous platforms. Other than that, it allows you to reuse pieces of code. Perhaps the best part is that there are plenty of libraries available for Python, allowing developers to manage documentation quite comfortably.

Where Can You Use Python?

Python is good to use in various applications, especially data sciences. It is also used by programmers to bring together different apps coded in different languages. Apart from that, many web development frameworks, such as Flask or Django, are written using Python.

Python also forms the backbone of various popular websites, like Instagram, Spotify, Netflix, Instacart, etc.

Resources to Learn Python

Codewars. Codewars takes a no-nonsense approach to teaching Python. It has an array of lessons you can choose from and begin with. The interactive learning platform just makes things easier for future professionals who want to quickly get into coding and learn Python.

Hackr.io. Hackr.io has a wide range of resources that shed light on how to use Python. It is community supported, so you can access plenty of forums where people discuss their problems and discuss solutions. Hackr.io gives you access to multiple courses from different platforms.

Google’s Python Class. Google’s Python Class does not need an introduction. It’s a free class that allows you to hone your Python skills and understand the fundamentals. As it doesn’t have any advanced lessons, you will have to search for other tutorials right after acquiring the basic knowledge.

PHP

PHP has been used for server-side applications coding for decades and is the oldest on this list. It was all the rave amongst web developers in the 2000s, and even today remains in vogue. An average of 80% of the top 10 million websites employs PHP for server-side programming.

Advantages

PHP is pretty easy to understand and learn. The language is also incredibly flexible, giving you the freedom to make changes even after you finish the project. It is also cost-efficient and compatible with a range of different operating systems.

Where Can You Use PHP?

PHP is primarily used by back-end developers to create and maintain websites. It also powers a range of WordPress, Magento, Drupal, and other sites. Other common examples where PHP is employed include Wikipedia, Mailchimp, and Flickr.

Resources to Learn PHP

To learn PHP, you can turn to the following resources:

Codecademy. Codecademy does not exactly need an introduction as it is one of the largest coding platforms on this planet, and is accessed by millions. If you want to become an expert in PHP, Codecademy is good to go. It has fantastic lessons and tracks your progress automatically.

GeeksforGeeks. GeeksforGeeks has a gigantic set of tutorials available for people who want to teach themselves to code. In addition to PHP tutorials, the website has tutorials for Java and Python.

SoloLearn. SoloLearn is another fantastic learning platform with an interactive framework. It offers a full range of modules for people who want to learn PHP. There are plenty of assignments that you can go through to learn hands-on use cases of PHP.

C#

Finally, you have C#. IIt is popular for developing websites, server side apps, console apps, video games (together with Unity game engine). C# is a very Java-like language made by Microsoft. It is also object-oriented and supports multithreading.

Advantages

For a rookie, C# is a fair starting selection. It’s object-oriented, and also uses present-day programming practices. C# also includes an exceptionally rich framework with a host of inbuilt functions that makes development quick.

Where Can You Use C#?

Like most programming interfaces focused on general usage, C# can also be implemented for developing a range of cloud-based services, server-side of web apps, desktop apps and games.

Paint.NET and Microsoft Visual Studio, for example were written in C# and C++.

Resources to Learn C#

There are a plethora of resource platforms available to individuals who want to learn programming with C#. Some of them include:

Tutorials Teacher. This is a phenomenal place to learn C#. The platform is optimized for streamlined lesson delivery and comes equipped with a bunch of unique features. There are also quick tests you can take to polish your skills.

C# Station. With 23+ lessons on C#, it is a good option to master C# language from A to Z. This popular selection will help you understand C# in extensive detail. It’s ideal for beginners as well as experienced developers who just want to practice.

LearnCS.org. This learning platform is practice-oriented and will help you develop your C# skills very quickly. It will let you get a basic understanding of the language and then focus on more advanced concepts.

Wrapping Up

If you have decided to learn programming in this day and age, the first thing you need to start with is to decide on the language best suited for your needs.

If you are interested in developing a wide range of web projects from interactive UI web apps to non-browser apps and WebOS, consider JavaScript. If you see yourself employed as a data scientist in a few years, Python is a sound bet. For those of you who want to choose from many career opportunities, a general-purpose Java language will be a good fit. Regardless of your choice, there are so many resources available nowadays, so it’s a great way to make the best use of your time!