So much of our world is powered by code today. Coding, or programming, is what powers all your favorite websites, mobile apps, and generally anything digital. As the world continues to go digital, more and more tools have become available to help improve the process of learning how to code. Today there are a multitude of free or affordable programs teaching various elements of coding.
The Benefits of Coding
Like any other skill, learning to code takes time and dedication, but with the growing number of resources available today more people have the chance to learn. Learning these skills are beneficial because:
- Job opportunities for coders is increasing across just about every industry
- Flexible work schedules are a common perk for coding professions
- Coding helps increase problem-solving skills, another essential skill for gainful employment
Start Learning to Code Today
There are tons of places where you can learn to code. The following resources are easy to get started and let you learn at your own pace.
Code.org is a free site that offers one-hour coding courses. Focused on programming language for apps and games, course lessons are often taught through many popular interfaces like Star Wars and Angry Birds.
Codecademy is another free site that teaches multiple coding languages. Participants can learn the fundamentals necessary to create software, apps, websites and more. After each lesson, Codecademy asks you to try and use your new skills, then scores your accuracy. But don’t worry, there’s also an active forum/comments section where people ask each other for help and provide lots of community support
Codeschool is a subscription-based site where you can pay monthly or annually. You’re able to take courses in different types of programming languages. Lessons are presented through professional videos and interactive activities, and new ones are added every month.
Treehouse is also a monthly subscription-based site with a focus on learning code so that you can start a new career. The courses are organized based on which track you want to take, such as building a website or building an app. There’s even a course track for starting your own business.
Lynda is a monthly subscription-based website that has thousands of courses in multiple subjects. In addition to coding, you get access to courses in business, marketing, design, photography, video, and many other relevant topics. Lynda has a reputation for high quality videos that are taught by experts who’ve demonstrated success in their field.
General Assembly is more like an online school and offers courses in coding, design, and marketing. The courses follow a set schedule with testing, where you’ll end up with a certificate that’s recognized among certain tech companies. You can sign up by the course.
Swift is the programming language used to build apps for Apple products like iPhone and Mac. They’re releasing a free iPad app that teaches you how to code in Swift in a fun and engaging way. If you’re looking to get into making apps for the App Store, this is a great way to go.
Check out one of these options today and start your path to becoming a coder.
