Introduction
With the increasingly technological world we live in, learning to code is becoming a relevant skill for many of us. Perhaps you want to start a side hustle, or change your career path, or keep up with the digital age.
However, you don’t have to go to university or attend a class to learn how to code. Thanks to online coding courses, you can start learning today at home.
This blog will guide you through the different types of online coding courses, how to pick the right one for you, and what you can expect as you see yourself progressing into coding. You’ll be ready to take that all-important first step by the end of it.
Why Learn Coding?
You don’t have to work in tech to code; it’s coming to every industry and will eventually be a required skill for nearly every job. To build websites and apps, automate workflows, and analyze data, learning how to code is the best way to make an impact in your chosen field. Here’s why you should consider learning how to code.
- Career Opportunities
There has likely never been a better time to learn to code. Technical skills are increasingly in demand across fields as diverse as healthcare and finance. Jobs such as software developer, data analyst, and web developer are not only in high demand but also have high salaries and excellent career progression. If you want a future-proof career, coding is a good place to start. The world is being changed by technology at an ever-increasing pace, creating a job market that is always shifting.
- Problem-solving and Creativity
Coding teaches you how to think logically and solve problems. It teaches you how to decompose large problems into smaller series of actions, which is a good skill in any job. But it’s also fun to be creative and build websites, apps, and games or to automate your life by building tools to make tedious work easier.
- Flexibility and Side Projects
Coding is one of the best ways to go freelance or do a side project. You can build a website, create an app, or even get into custom software development. Many have taken the leap to do freelance web development or created apps that generate passive income.
Types of Online Coding Courses Available
Given the breadth of options available, you’re bound to find something that caters to your ability and ambition. Here’s an overview of your options:
Beginner Courses
For first-time beginners, beginner courses really are the best place to start. These online coding courses teach you programming languages that are fundamental to code: HTML, CSS, and Python are all essential. HTML and CSS are the bread and butter of web development: HTML lays out the skeletal framework of your web page, while CSS is the decoration that gives it style. Python is often touted as one of the easiest programming languages for beginners to learn because its syntax is easy to read. Many beginner courses are ‘project-based’: as you code, you actually see a result.
Intermediate Courses
From there, intermediate courses can help flesh out your understanding, with more languages such as JavaScript, Ruby, or Java, maybe a specific library or framework such as React or Django, and bigger, more complex projects.
Advanced Courses
For someone who codes well already and wants to drill down and specialize – for instance, in artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning, data science, or advanced web development frameworks such as Node.js – then an advanced course might be right for them.
Certification Programs
Certification programs are in-depth courses of study that often include a credential when you complete it. These are a good option if you’re looking for a formal qualification to prove to prospective employers that you do, in fact, know how to code. Certification programs are generally more intense and may cover full-stack software engineering, amongst other areas.
Free vs. Paid Coding Courses
Weighing up the pros and cons of which courses to choose – free or paid – might depend on your learning style and why you’re learning it.
Free Courses
Free online coding courses are a great way to start. A lot of free coding courses are self-paced, which means you can learn when you’re most comfortable. Plenty of free online coding courses are available that teach you the fundamentals of coding (e.g., HTML, CSS, and Python) and allow you to gain some familiarity with programming. While free courses often have tremendous value, you won’t always get the depth, learning pathway, or support you’d find in paid courses.
Paid Courses
Online coding courses that cost money tend to have more content, more courses, and supplementary material, as well as mentorship and peer support. Paid courses are more structured and deeper in terms of content. Some paid courses have real-world projects, feedback, and certification. If you are serious about taking coding to the next level and making it a career, then paid courses might be a better fit.
Which is Right for You?
If you’re trolling and looking to dabble in coding as a hobby or want to see if you like it, a free course might be the way to go. But suppose you’re looking to work in tech. In that case, a paid course can give you a more thorough education, in addition to mentorship, structured lessons, and career guidance.
Popular Coding Languages You Can Learn Today
Which coding language to learn ultimately depends on what you’ll do with it. Below are some of the most popular languages taught in courses online:
Python
Python is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly programming languages around the world, and it can be used for nearly any application in the fields of web development, data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. So, you are interested in a career as a data analyst or AI expert. In that case, learning Python is a solid starting point. Many of the best introductory online courses emphasize hands-on applications to real-world problems, such as how to automate a common task or how to analyze data sets.
JavaScript
JavaScript is the most important coding language for creating interactive and dynamic websites. If you want to be a front-end or full-stack web developer, you will have to learn JavaScript. Most of the online courses have practical projects where you can practice or build interactive websites. This is the most important aspect that you should learn while learning JavaScript.
HTML/CSS
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) are the foundation of the web. HTML defines the structure of content, and CSS defines the presentation of that content. Learning both will equip you to build simple websites and is the first step for anyone interested in web development or design.
Java
Though Java might be considered a bit old-fashioned, it is still incredibly reliable. It is used in lots of enterprise-level applications, and being the language of Android, it’s a great language to learn if you’re interested in developing for mobile devices or building large-scale software. Many of the online coding courses that teach object-oriented programming use Java and the concepts learned in the language can be easily applied to others.
Other Languages
Also notable is Ruby, now used by web developers everywhere; PHP, a mainstay of content management systems such as WordPress; and C++, a workhorse of game development and systems programming.
How to Choose the Right Online Coding Course
But there are a lot of coding courses out there – too much, in a way. Are you wondering how to choose the right online course for you? Here are a few considerations that can help.
Identify Your Goals
What do you want to do with coding? Want to build websites? Mobile apps? Work with data? Become the next Mark Zuckerberg? All these are worthwhile goals. And whatever your goal, it will have a bearing on the language and course you should follow. For example, if you want to get into website development, a good place to start is with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript courses. If your target is to become a data scientist, one must learn the Python language as one of the first steps.
Consider Your Skill Level
Make sure that you choose a course that is appropriately suited to your level of experience. If you’ve never coded before, pick a beginner’s course; if you’re already a seasoned coder, you might want to try out something with a slightly higher bar, like an intermediate or advanced course.
Learning Format
Would you prefer to learn by yourself and at your own pace or take a course with structure and deadlines? Some online coding courses allow you to learn at your own pace, while others provide certain structure and deadlines. If you need flexibility in your learning, self-paced courses may be a better fit for you. However, with structure and deadlines, you will have more accountability and motivation to finish the courses.
Hands-on Learning
Find online coding courses with some interactive projects or coding exercises. Coding is a skill that is learned best by doing, so look for an online coding course with real-world projects or coding exercises. This will develop a portfolio of your work that you can then showcase to potential employers.
Support and Community
Some online coding courses provide access to mentors, forums, and peer support. This kind of external assistance can be very important, especially when you reach a dead end on a problem or need to know whether your solution is working correctly.
What to Expect When Learning to Code
Coding takes a lot of work. It’s also wonderful and rewarding. If you’re thinking about getting into it, it’s worth knowing what to expect.
Time Commitment
It takes a while to learn how to code, and it takes practice to get better. Some courses can be done in just a few weeks, but others can take months, depending on the subject and depth of learning. It is helpful to set aside regular time each week to practice coding.
Hands-on Projects
Many online coding courses incorporate projects where you get to practice what you’ve just learned. These projects are also an important way to accumulate an online portfolio of projects that you can point to in your job applications. You may be learning to build a website, an app, or a machine learning model, but a key component to becoming a good coder is doing it hands-on.
Continuous Learning
Coding is a constantly evolving field. Even after you complete a course, you must keep yourself updated with the latest technologies, tools, and frameworks. A continuous improvement in your skills will not only keep you ahead of your competitors but also maintain a position that can help you sustain the job.
Success Stories: Learning to Code Online
From self-taught developers to career changers, those who’ve leaped into tech careers tend to have one thing in common: that is, they’ve started by learning to code online. The flexibility and availability of learning online gave them the chance to follow their passion for becoming coders. Some even went on to start their own businesses. In contrast, others have found lucrative jobs as coders, developers, data scientists, and web designers.
Get Started with Online Coding Courses Today
The best thing about online coding courses is that you can start today from anywhere in the world. There is an enormous wealth of free and paid courses from which to choose, so what are you waiting for? Coding might be the most valuable new skill in the 21st century. Today, you can become a self-taught web developer, app programmer, or data scientist.
Conclusion
There is no better skill to learn in the digital age than learning how to code. You can begin with no previous knowledge and progress to the very most advanced programming languages. It is entirely self-directed learning, meaning that you can study at your own pace. You can do so to boost your main career, create a side hustle, or learn something new. Whatever your goals, start learning to code today, and you will not regret it.
References
Here are a few links that can help you further understand the entire topic:
Coding the Future: How Programming is Shaping the Next Decade
and,
The Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024
And to learn these amazing skills for your future, a few great online courses we suggest are:
Diploma in JavaScript Programming