10 Things I wish I knew when I started to Code
Tags: webdev, career, productivity, beginners
Published: 2023-03-01 09:04:34

No two success stories are alike; we've all had our ups and downs in the learning process, as well as things we wish we understood when we first started out.

If you are a new or aspiring developer, these 10 tips will help you prepare for the lengthy road ahead. Make use of them as a convenience in your own learning journey.

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**1.Don't be afraid to ask for help:**

* Reach out to peers, mentors, and online communities for support and advice.
    
* Don't be ashamed of asking "basic" questions - everyone starts somewhere!
    
* Be specific about the issue you're facing and provide as much context as possible.
    
**2.Consistency is key:**

* Make coding a regular habit by dedicating a certain amount of time each day or week.
    
* Use the same naming conventions, formatting, and style throughout your code.
    
* Keep track of your progress and set achievable goals to stay motivated.
    
**3.Read documentation thoroughly:**

* Take the time to read through the documentation before starting a new project or using a new tool.
    
* Look for examples and code snippets to help you understand how to use the documentation in practice.
    
* If you don't understand something, don't hesitate to reach out to the documentation's creators for clarification.
    
**4.Test your code often:**

* Write tests for your code to catch errors and bugs early on.
    
* Run your tests frequently to make sure your code is still working as expected.
    
* Try out edge cases and unexpected inputs to ensure your code is robust.
    
**5.Learn keyboard shortcuts:**

* Memorize common keyboard shortcuts to save time and increase efficiency.
    
* Customize your keyboard shortcuts to fit your personal workflow.
    
* Practice using keyboard shortcuts until they become second nature.
    
**6.Embrace failure:**

* Don't be discouraged by mistakes or setbacks - they are an essential part of the learning process.
    
* Analyze your failures and figure out what you can do differently next time.
    
* Share your failures with others to learn from their experiences and receive feedback.
    
**7.Understand the basics of algorithms and data structures:**

* Study common algorithms and data structures to gain a deeper understanding of how code works.
    
* Learn how to analyze the time and space complexity of algorithms to optimize your code.
    
* Practice implementing algorithms and data structures from scratch to solidify your understanding.

**8.Practice, practice, practice:**

* Code as much as possible to gain experience and build muscle memory.
    
* Take on new projects and challenges to stretch your skills and push your boundaries.
    
* Practice writing clean, efficient code that is easy to read and maintain.
    
**9.Use version control:**

* Use a version control system like Git to keep track of changes to your code over time.
    
* Create branches to work on new features or experiment without affecting the main codebase.
    
* Collaborate with others by merging changes and resolving conflicts.
    
**10.Learn from others' code:**

* Read other people's code to learn new techniques and approaches.
    
* Look for open source projects to contribute to and learn from.
    
* Ask for feedback on your own code to learn from others' perspectives.

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Writing has always been my passion and it gives me pleasure to help and inspire people. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

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