Start Coding in Style: Weird and Unique Ways to Learn Code

Programming used to be seen as a very specialized and niche skill just a few decades ago. These days, coding is being utilized by more than just software developers and IT professionals. Programming is necessary for efficient management of systems and automation for small businesses.

Becoming a career programmer isn’t a bad idea either. The average pay starts at around $80,000 per year for computer programmers. Depending on your specialty, that could multiply two or three times, easily.

Learning to code can seem very intimidating to the uninitiated. Computer languages, scripts, are boring on their own. It’s all about how you learn to code. These days there are a lot of alternatives to just hammering out endless lines of scripts.

To prove it, we’ve made this list of alternative ways to start coding. It’s so easy that a child can do it, literally.

First, State Your Goal

Before we venture off into the land of programming, it’s important to know what or why you want to code. Do you want to develop phone apps? Video games? Productivity automation? Knowing where you want to go with your new skill is important in order to maximize results.

Coding is a time-consuming talent. A lot of time spent learning one language may be better served in one that is used exclusively in the area you want to specialize. There’s nothing wrong with starting with one fundamental programming language over another.

For complete amateurs, though, it’s hard to see the carrot in front of you when you cannot produce something tangible with your new skills.

A simple Google on your favorite subjects or hobbies will tell you which programming languages are most used and in-demand.

Learn like a Kid

Learning a programming language is very similar to learning a verbal language. You start with the most basic of words and phrases before putting together sentences. With programming, it’s much easier to just use tools out there already available for kids.

A great example is Scratch. This education tool teaches toddlers how to code in the simplest ways possible. Matching basic objects and actions with codes. There’s no shame in this game, Scratch keeps coding from becoming a jumble of information to be memorized.

Free Online Courses and Training

These are the most common places people go to start coding professionally. The classroom setting isn’t for everyone, but it is worth mentioning. What makes this method of learning unique is that it is completely free. There are tons of free reading materials, tutorials, and projects to help you advance.

We recommend Codecademy, Khan, Edx, and Coursera for the most robust offerings. Use these tools alongside the interactive and alternative learning tools in our guide.

Gaming to Learn to Code

Video games are the most intuitive and effective ways to learn a lot of things, not just coding. Play is an often overlooked basic form of development of our brains. There are a few games out there that are played by inputting codes.

Code Combat is one of the most robust and respected games that teach coding. You can learn two of the most important beginner’s languages: JavaScript and Python. The game is free and open-source. That means the game’s own code can be added onto by anyone in the community.

There are other coding games out there, but we prefer this one because of its classic RPG setting and great design.

Open Source Projects

Once you get a basic grasp on what coding is, you should start looking for open source projects to make contributions towards. Creating personal goals for your own learning is great, but the best motivation comes through others. Open source contributions can range from full-on software coding to bug reporting on a cloud based IDE, for example.

Most open sourced projects have high standards and specific rules that need to be adhered to. This is a great experience for real-world demands as a programmer. Writing quality code, rather than lots of bad/redundant code is one of the most important lessons for an amateur programmer.

Feedback and Recognition

One of the best things about learning to code online in a community is the feedback. You’ll quickly learn that there are thousands of others just like you. Everyone is on their own journey, learning at their own pace, so it can help deal with feeling overwhelmed.

Take advantage of all the free mentoring, feedback, and reviews of your code. There’s not a lot of job training out there that offers the same level of support. Improving your code is more than about working harder, it’s finding better ways to break out of habits.

Desktop Scripting

If you already have a basic understanding of programming but want to create something while learning, look at desktop scripts. You can create functional scripts that make your computer user experience easier. If you make something really useful, don’t be surprised to receive a ton of support online.

Most of these scripts are really simple, but they are somehow lacking in Windows or Mac functionality. Hey, maybe your labor of love will someday get noticed by the big shots and offer you a job. It happens more often than you think.

Raspberry Pi

Last, but not least, we have the infamous miniature powerhouse. The Raspberry Pi is a device that will allow you to take a computer with you wherever you want, just like a smartphone. We’re talking a fully-functional one, capable of running games, movies, and web browsing.

These little computers are very affordable, as well. You can get a basic kit for only $35 and hook it up to any HDMI monitor, USB keyboard, and mouse. Then, you can practice your coding wherever you want and show it off to people.

Start Coding for Fun, Now!

As you can see, there are a lot of educational resources out there for beginners to start coding and advanced programmers alike. Coding is a useful skill that will help you land a job with just about any industry. Databases are often archaic and never updated, so if you present the ability to create basic scripts to make their jobs easier, you’ll be able to ask for more pay.

There’s a ton of other examples of how popular and important programming is, but, for now, just focus on having fun. For more advice like this and other alternative news, check out our popular weirdness section. We keep it updated, we keep it useful, and we always keep it weird.

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