Learning to code is a very long journey, and it becomes even longer and tougher if not continued in the right direction. Everyone starts to learn programming, but not everyone ends up with a coding career. The reason behind this is that people become confused and don’t know how to follow a learning process that is effective and faster. I will be covering six coding mistakes throughout the blog that programmers intend to make.
1. Lack of Focus: Jumping Between Languages and Tutorials
Programmers should be persistent in their learning path rather than be sidetracked, continuing in the direction they intended at the start of the journey. Don’t confuse yourself by watching multiple YouTube tutorials and not finishing a single playlist. Beginners, usually at the beginning, do not stay consistent; instead, they watch certain tutorials one day and start looking at completely different ones the next week. For example, someone may start learning Python with great diligence, but the next week, they come across a YouTube video saying that JavaScript is one of the most widely used languages in the industry. So, they quit learning Python and begin learning JavaScript, which is a significant red flag indicating a lack of commitment. You don’t need to learn every programming language. You just need to learn one language properly and use it to pursue a career path. It’s more vital to understand one language’s coding logic than multiple languages’ syntax.
2. Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), Problem Solving, and Competitive Programming 👨💻
For programmers who have spent time learning to code, these are very recognisable terms. I completely agree that DSA and problem-solving are the backbone of programming. I believe that every programmer should give problem-solving and competitive programming a try, and if they enjoy it and gain satisfaction from solving difficult problems, they should continue. But what about programmers who aren’t interested in problem-solving and can’t make the most of it? Should they give up coding because they can’t stay focused on solving problems? The answer is “NO”. You will find very few programmers, compared to the majority, who have continued competitive programming for a long time. Aren’t those people becoming programmers who don’t continue competitive programming? Yes, they are, and many are doing very well in the industry. Don’t assume that you can’t become a programmer if you don’t participate in competitive programming or have strong problem-solving skills. If you can improve your problem-solving skills, that’s fantastic; if not, start by learning some basic data structures and algorithms, then continue your coding career. You will eventually learn more DSA for work without even realising it.
3. Inconsistent Learning: Failing to Stay Committed
While learning to code, be persistent and devoted. Make it a habit to learn something new every day and cover all of the coding fundamentals. I’ve seen programmers learn for two days and then take a five-day break, which is a red flag indicating a lack of dedication. Due to a lack of self-discipline, many individuals fail to become programmers. If you want to become a proficient programmer, you have no choice but to keep learning. It’s obvious that you’ll get stuck or experience major issues while learning. In such cases, consider searching Google for a similar problem or reading articles. If you’ve tried for a long time and still can’t solve the problem, forget it and move on. You are not compelled to address the problem in a single day. Accept that you will experience difficulties, but never give up your coding career because of an unsolved issue or complicated concepts. It’s fine if it takes months to cover a single topic.
4. Procrastination 🥱
There is never an end to learning programming. Take JavaScript, for example. Developers use this one coding language in various ways to build products. If you want to learn JavaScript fully, you may not finish even after four years. So, I propose that learning should be concept-based, with concepts focused on a specific career goal, such as becoming a backend developer. Plan your career from the beginning. For example, follow a roadmap, first cover essential topics, then gain industry skills, complete five real-world projects, and so on. Make a plan to cover these and then go for placements. It doesn’t matter if it takes an extra year to get a job; you should always be devoted to your learning and believe in the process, which will help you achieve your goal.
5. Daydreaming 😴
Don’t get too caught up in placements or daydreaming about working as a software engineer at a FAANG company. Many students major in Computer Science because it is one of the highest-paying professions, or because it’s trendy. Be enthusiastic about your work and prioritise learning. Develop your coding skills. Build real-world projects to make your resume stand out. Once you feel confident, look for internships or part-time work. The goal is to learn for a period and then continue acquiring advanced topics while working professionally, which will eventually help you learn even more.
6. Ignoring Reality
When pursuing a goal, avoid following in the exact footsteps of others. Things may not work the same way for you as they did for someone else. Your learning process is unique, and so is your journey to becoming a good programmer. Don’t feel discouraged if your peers land jobs before you. You shouldn’t feel sad about someone else’s achievements. Don’t compare yourself with your peers—they may have started coding earlier, so it’s fair enough for them to be better at coding. Instead, compare yourself to the person you were several months ago. This way, you’ll track your own progress. Rather than feeling sad, try to communicate with your peers and learn from them how they achieved what you are aiming for.
Lastly, hard work and perseverance are the keys to success in becoming a good programmer.
