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September 27, 2023Online development has advanced tremendously in the past few years, and people have built great careers in this niche. More and more people need websites, whether to sell a product or service or to generally make life easier with web-based tools and software. There is no wonder why people want to learn to code. It is a convenient way to make lots of money and it is very flexible in terms of schedule because you can freelance instead of going to a 9-5 job, amongst other benefits.
The problem is that many people don’t have the time nor the opportunity to sign up for a university degree – which takes around three years to complete and can get quite expensive too. Moreover, university courses cover loads of information that is not always relevant for the programming job itself.
A few years ago, knowing how to code was a luxury and it was learned from books (the easy way) or by playing in a code editor and doing trial and error. Today, you have plenty of great options to choose from when it comes to learning how to code. The downside of so many options being available is that it’s difficult to choose between the best websites to learn to code and to stick with one that deserves your financial resources, motivation, and time. In this article, we will show you the best options out there so you can make an informed decision.
Why Should You Focus on Learning How to Code?
Some people have the notion that the field of programming is over saturated. While this may be true for certain specific niches, it is not true for programming at large. As the world continues to become heavily reliant on technology, the need for people who know how to use it at its true potential is greater than ever. As a newcomer to this world, you might find it difficult to learn and mentally consuming, unless you first learn the most basic notions from programming websites and play with lines of code for a while. Don’t expect to become a professional after two hours of reading. The best of the best programmers invested years of practice and have more than 10 years of experience in this field.
One of the top reasons why people want to learn how to code is that the job market is flourishing at the moment. Employers are desperately seeking coding specialists and web developers who are passionate about their work. Filling these positions is not as difficult as you may believe;you only need some motivation and a good starting point. The programming job market is expected to grow by 13% from 2016 to 2026 in the United States, let alone the rest of the world. As noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the programming market is the fastest growing job market among all occupations.
Once you learn how to code, you will get access to thousands of jobs, regardless of your current location. Even though you might live in a part of the world where programming is not flourishing, you can easily become a freelance programmer and work with people outside of your country. The opportunities are unlimited and all you have to do is learn how to code. What’s even better about a career in programming is that you don’t need to wait years to obtain a job that pays well. In coding, you can get your first decent-paying job immediately after you’ve mastered the basics. Employers all over the world want to hire people for simple projects, complex projects that last years,and everything in between. Besides being a fast-growing job market, it is also extremely diverse and it encompasses all sorts of jobs, from easy to beast-level projects.
As businesses expand their digital presence, the decision to hire Android developers becomes essential in creating user-friendly mobile applications that resonate with the target audience.
Now that you're convinced you want to learn programming, you should read up on the best websites to learn how to code and see which one is the most appropriate for you. A list of the most popular ones is presented below.
Sites That Will Help You Learn Coding
Codecademy
One of the free coding websites that deserves your attention if you are planning to start a career in this field is Codecademy. This website has helped more than 45 million users to learn the basics of coding since it went live in 2011. It is an engaging, interactive website and the interface is very friendly and intuitive.
What’s great about Codecademy is that you can jump right into practice instead of struggling with complicated theory, as so happens in the case of university courses where you don’t get to write your first line of code from the moment you learn about it. As for what you can learn, Codecademy includes courses in HTML & CSS, JavaScript & SQL, Bash/Shell, Python, C++, and Ruby.
Just like the Java language offers more flexibility, outsourcing Java application development services also offers flexibility to use Java developers, infrastructure, and other consulting services according to your needs.
Coursera
Coursera deserves a top spot in any list of the best websites to learn coding. Its story started in 2012 and the range of courses continued to expand, offering today a wide array of classes ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced. Certain programs offered by Coursera are indeed paid, but on completion of these courses you will receive a certificate to help you get a job faster. The courses that are introductory and are meant to help beginners get a grip on how to code are completely free, and they are powered by the University of Washington, Stanford, Toronto, and Vanderbilt.
edX
edX is definitely worth being called one of the best websites to learn to code. It is an open-source learning platform that is supported by Harvard University, MIT, and other prestigious institutions. Today, it offers some of the most thorough courses for those who want to learn more about programming and technology in general. You can choose between 50+different schools in all sorts of programming languages. Being so popular, edX has gathered together no less than 90 partners to keep the courses updated and to respect the trends and requirements of the market.
GitHub
Anyone passionate about technology and programming has probably heard about GitHub before. This platform is dedicated to open source software development and it enables you to view and modify the code on many different kinds of software projects. The community can contribute with articles, tutorials, and all sorts of information that could be useful for others. Registered users can answer questions that others post, thus helping them become better at coding altogether. On GitHub, developers share their code openly with other people and explain to them what it is used for and how others can integrate it into their own projects.
Treehouse
Out of all the coding websites out there, Treehouse is one of the best paid options. The platform includes around 1,000 videos that are meant to teach people different topics. The topics vary tremendously, from web development to web design or even entrepreneurship, to help new programmers establish their own businesses instead of working for others.
Udemy
Udemy is also considered one of the best websites to learn to code, as it offers approximately 80,000 courses in areas such as web development, UX & UI developent, iOS development and anything that is programming-related. Users can choose their own learning pace and they don’t need to jump from easy information to complicated courses until they're comfortable with what they've learned. Most courses are free, but others require paying a fee to access them.
Khan Academy
If you are looking for a programming website that gives you the opportunity to personalize your courses, Khan Academy will do the job. Students are able to put together a dashboard with courses of their own choice. Khan Academy is also popular because it is mostly focused on practice exercises. The platform is highly comprehensive, as you can select between 36 different languages. Khan Academy is great for those who need to expand their knowledge in the field of programming and also those who've never programmed before and would like to try it for the very first time.
Code School
Similar to Khan Academy, Code School is one of the best websites to learn to code at your own level and pace. The variety of courses at Code School is amazing and you can learn how to master most programming languages, including those that are not that popular (e.g. Elixir or Ruby). You can practice coding directly into the browser and you will be given challenges to motivate you and completion badges after each completed course.
Pluralsight
If you are planning to get better at certain skills used in programming, Pluralsight is the website to use. You can focus on those skills that you are not as good at and practice tasks that you previously considered difficult. The fact that you can select exactly what you want to study is a tremendous benefit because you are going to save lots of time this way.
Codewars
Finally, for those who want to learn how to code in a very entertaining way, Codewars is a programming website you can’t miss. It is suitable for both children and adults who are passionate about software development or programming. The theme is based on martial arts and users must successfully complete challenges in order to progress. You can learn programming languages like C++, Java, JavaScript, Rust, Ruby, SQL, PHP, Swift, TypeScript, Crystal, and others.
FAQ on learning to code
Where do I even start with coding?
Man, I remember when I was in your shoes. The world of coding can seem like a vast ocean at first. But, you know, the best place to start is by picking a language. Python is super beginner-friendly. HTML/CSS if you're into web stuff. Dive into online platforms like Codecademy or freeCodeCamp. They've got some solid beginner courses.
Is coding hard to learn?
Well, not gonna lie, there's a learning curve. Just like learning a musical instrument or a new language. But, the more you practice, the easier it gets. It's all about persistence and, you know, getting your hands dirty with real projects. And hey, everyone learns at their own pace.
Do I need a degree to be a coder?
Ah, the age-old question. Short answer? No. While having a Computer Science degree can be beneficial, it's not a must. Many successful coders are self-taught or have gone through bootcamps. It's your skills and portfolio that'll speak volumes, not just a piece of paper.
What's the best programming language for beginners?
I've seen this one pop up a lot. Python is often recommended because of its readability and versatility. But, if you're more into web development, then HTML/CSS followed by JavaScript is the way to go. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. It's about what you vibe with.
How much time will it take to become proficient?
Ah, the million-dollar question! It varies for everyone. Some folks might get the hang of it in a few months, while others might take a couple of years. Consistency is key. Code a little bit every day, and you'll see progress. It's a journey, not a sprint.
Can I learn coding from YouTube?
Absolutely! There are a ton of amazing content creators out there. Channels like Traversy Media, Corey Schafer, and The Net Ninja have some top-notch tutorials. But, don't just rely on one source. Mix it up with books, online courses, and hands-on projects.
Do I need to be good at math to code?
This one's a classic. While certain areas of coding, like algorithms or game development, might require a good grasp of math, many coding jobs don't. So, if math ain't your jam, don't sweat it. You can still rock the coding world.
How do I stay motivated while learning?
Man, motivation can be a fickle friend. Set small goals, celebrate your wins, and remember why you started. Join coding communities, attend meetups (even virtual ones), and surround yourself with like-minded folks. When in doubt, remember: every coder was once where you are now.
What tools or software do I need?
Alright, gear up! Initially, a decent computer and a text editor (think VS Code or Sublime Text) will do. As you dive deeper, you might need specific tools depending on your focus. Web developers? Chrome DevTools is your buddy. And don't forget version control – Git is a lifesaver.
How do I know when I'm ready for a job?
Trust your gut, but also, be realistic. Build a portfolio, get feedback, and apply even if you feel you're not 100% ready. You'll learn a ton on the job. And remember, imposter syndrome is real. Even seasoned coders feel it.
Summing up
Considering all of the programming websites listed above, you have plenty of options when it comes to learning how to code. The only obstacle that sits in your path would be motivation and the desire to progress. Many of these websites offer free courses, so the financial part shouldn’t matter. Take your time to analyze this list of the best websites to learn to code and make your first move towards becoming a master programmer today
If you're already into coding, you should check out this interesting read: How To Write Better Code in React or What is React.
