Do’s and Don’ts of Self-Taught Programming

Programming is a word that rules the world. Most people feel challenged and learning it all by themselves is a tough task to do. Famous personalities like Bill Gates (Microsoft), Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX), Steve Wozniak (Apple), you must have heard about them, Right? They are one of those who learned programming all by themselves. All you need is hard work, dedication, PRACTICE, and patience to become a self-taught programmer.

Now, let’s talk about self-taught programming!! 

A Self-Taught Programmer is one who takes responsibility to excel in programming without depending on anyone. Plenty of resources are available today online as well as offline. You just have to be curious and attentive to bloom your career in programming. As every coin has two sides, there are some do’s and don’ts to go after, if you’re ready to learn to code by yourself.  

Ready to know, let’s begin!!

Do’s of Self-Taught Programming

1. Self-Believe and Patience

These two are the major qualities one has to be rich in so as to excel in any field. Have faith in yourself once you start your work and also be patient to see the amazing results. When you believe yourself you’re going to rock, no matter what comes and goes. Nothing can be achieved in one go! Put your 100% and wait for the result. Self-belief with relentless patience can eventually lead to something big.

2. Choose any One Programming Language

There’s a saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none”. As per the statement mentioned, it’s better to be a master of one than being a jack of all trades. If you put your legs in more than one trade, everything will be so confusing. Therefore, begin with one programming language and stick to it until you master it, while keep looking at other languages just for basics.  

3. Get Clear on the Basics

Before diving deep into the topic, initiate the learning with the basics. Be crystal clear on the basics, as you have to step one by one to reach the height. For even starting a small project, you need to have a clear idea of when and where, which concepts are to be used. So, before you think of a big project, go for small ones with all the basics cleared.

4. Don’t Learn it, Enjoy it

When you enjoy doing something, you put all your effort to see the best outcome. While learning anything, enjoy it then you’ll have the urge to know more and when the craving starts, you get deeper knowledge. Deeper knowledge leads to no barrier in a live working project. Learn the code to grow in it not just to build something. 

5. LIVE Projects

To see your growth, you have to work on it and implement something. Work on live projects wherein you’ll face issues. To solve these issues, you’ll surely go through the possible solutions hence, will result in a deep and clear understanding. To get a clear idea on any topic, you have to work on it, implement/build something. 

6. Take Breaks

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!” is an old proverb that means when you work continuously without even taking a break, it makes you lethargic and lazy. There should be short breaks in between to develop a constant interest in programming. When you give yourself time, you get to know things better and you don’t get bored easily.

Don’ts of Self-Taught Programming

1. Never Give Up

When you learn anything, never ever give up. Giving up is an option for losers or for those who don’t have the ability to handle it. Always try to welcome challenges because that’s the time when you’ll learn to tackle things. Keep that attitude of solving any kind of problem because that’s when you make mistakes and you learn from them. You build the best version of yourself.

2. Don’t Listen to Many

When you plan to learn by yourself, don’t take other views irrelevantly. You know yourself better than others. Before going to others for guidance, talk to your inner self, get to know what you want. Even then you’re not able to find the solution, go for an expert’s opinion. To make yourself away from too many suggestions, question yourself for the reason you want to learn to code.

3. Don’t Stop Participating in Contests

Keep the habit of being an active member of contests. Once you develop your interest, never stop participating in contests. If you stop, you’ll take time to be on track again. Constant practice with full dedication leads to a complete understanding of the topic.

4. Don’t Take Difficult Projects Early

When you go to kindergarten, they teach you A, B, C.. not Apple, the same way when you enter into programming, start with Hello World, the very basic and simple program. The task should be challenging and at the same time, you should be capable to do it. When you start with small, you gain confidence and an urge to do more which ultimately leads to more knowledge and more projects.

5. Don’t Use Libraries Unless Needed 

Libraries and frameworks help you to boost and add functionalities for which you have to write lines of code. Never use libraries initially unless you know the concept behind them. There’s a time for everything. Because you get a shortcut, you never find a way to solve a problem. Instead, you use libraries and get your work done without learning.

6. Not Considering DSA Important

Data Structures and Algorithms is a building block of software development. Its concepts are applied in all programming languages, Hence, it should be considered as an important one. Programmers think that the only necessity in a job is to know the tools and technology they are supposed to use. It is also essential to understand that you need to have a good understanding of DSA to build a scalable product.

To wrap up, constant practice and never giving up attitude helps you make anything possible. You should learn not because you have to, but because you want to. Only then, you’ll put in your 100% effort and ultimately you’ll see amazing results and become a proficient self-taught programmer!!