Inspiration

Is Coding Hard to Learn?

two people learning to code on a laptop

Learning to code is what you make of it. It’s like any other skill you wish to possess. You’re the one who decides how much time and effort you’re willing to put into it. And with time and effort comes skill and success.

At first, learning something new can be intimidating. Coding is no exception. As long as you have the passion for it, you can learn it. If you think about it, learning to code is learning a new language. In short, if you want to learn to code, you can learn to code.

So, is coding hard to learn? It can be. There are definitely learning curves, but you can do it if you approach learning with the right tools and mindset. Don’t look at learning to code as this giant mountain that’s impossible to climb. Instead, with the right attitude, equipment, training, and guidance, reaching the summit is possible. Learning in a technical program makes it do-able, prepping you with the right tools for the route ahead.

Now, there are several factors for aspiring software developers to consider, including:

  • What particular programming language would you like to learn?
  • Which type of training are you interested in: a technical academy, college, or self-taught?
  • Given its level of complexity, do you have the time to spend learning the language?
  • What program would you like to design or develop?

With these questions in mind, here are three reasons why coding is easy to learn (if you’re engaging in a well-designed curriculum).

Why Coding is Easy to Learn

Three reasons why coding is easy to learn
  • Move at Your Own Pace

    When you first start to code, you get to decide the pace at which you learn. If you’re just heading into the workforce with landing a tech job as your goal, then your entire focus might be on learning to code. Perhaps you’re picking up coding to simply toy around with or to make into a side gig. Maybe it’s a career change, and you’re dividing your time between working at your current job and learning programming languages. Whatever it is, you can create your own schedule. You don’t have to learn everything at once as coding has many learning curves.

    While there are more than a dozen languages to learn first, with hundreds of commands in every one (there is plenty of overlap), you’ll likely only need a few for everyday tasks. Once you begin to specialize your path, you can then start learning the specific commands you need to perform more advanced tasks.

    While some languages are more difficult to learn than others, the most common languages programmers and software developers — both new and experienced — often learn early on include the following:

    Python
    Javascript
    Java
    C#
    C
    C++
    PHP
    HTML

    Languages like Java, Javascript, and C++ also follow a common pattern called object-oriented programming. Object orientation arranges code in a way that other developers can easily understand. Object-oriented languages are often a bit easier to learn, and are a good first step toward good design fundamentals.

  • You Get Better as You Go

    As you progress, you gain the foundation required to better understand the next phases of coding. Like anything else, learning becomes easier the more you know about a given subject. As long as you can absorb the information, the subsequent information will be easier to understand. With that in mind, solo learning can be challenging; beginners often don’t understand which concepts build upon the other. They may hit a wall if they stumble onto a hard concept early, which is why enrolling in a tech school can help make learning to code easier.

    Also, making mistakes is part of the process. (And you will make them.) A true student of the trade takes these missteps, uses them as a learning experience, and applies them to become better at coding. One of the greatest aspects of becoming a coder is it improves your problem-solving skills and allows you to hone your thinking process.

    It’s worth keeping in mind that several of the popular programming languages use the same language for many basic commands. For example, an IF function will work the same way across many programming languages. If you know the basics of one coding language, you will gain an advantage as you encounter other languages to learn.

  • A Plethora of Resources

    Running into problems when you’re learning to code is going to happen. No one jumps into the world of computer programming and achieves mastery on day one, especially because of its learning curves. To help you through the learning process, documentation is abundant for each programming language. Often, documentation is available online, or you can use a special help command within the code itself. Moreover, you can find sample code within the documentation to illustrate how to use it in your projects.

    Another great way to learn to code is to leverage Google and YouTube for researching — what each command does, how it works, what its limitations are, etc. One skill set is actually learning how to search for answers to a question.

    Should you come across a coding stumbling block, it’s a relief to know many other people in the coding arena encounter similar roadblocks or have been through them before. You’ll find fellow coders having conversations and offering help in online communities, forums, and discord channels. It’s best to take advantage of these resources to guide you through issues and find solutions. With support, hours of spinning your wheels and constant frustration can be avoided.

    Members of these communities also depend on people like you to lend a hand in helping them find solutions. Giving back is an appreciated effort and strengthens your bond with other fellow coders, software developers, or web programmers. Never shy away from sharing your personal experiences and growing knowledge. It’s a community in every sense of the word — don’t forget to do your part!

Why Should I Learn to Code?

Coding is fun, increases your problem-solving skills, and unlocks several new career opportunities. In addition, learning to be a programmer and finding a tech job can open the door to a new level of financial stability. Adding web developer skills to your repertoire aren’t only beneficial to a career in programming, they can heighten your ability to better perform in jobs completely unrelated to coding.

So, is coding hard? It can be, but it’s easier to learn with professional guidance and focused curriculum. That’s why Kenzie’s curriculum is designed by industry practitioners who are experts in helping learners understand how to code.

Ready to start coding? Apply yourself. Be meticulous. Work hard. Persevere. You got this!

Tips from Kenzie Alum Jacob Shorts on how to succeed in coding school:

Split screen of a black man in a gray sweatshirt in front of a computer screen and the text
Tips for Coding School
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