Introduction
Learning how to code can be a costly experience for beginners. With the rising demand for tech professionals, many people are turning to coding as a way of future-proofing their careers. However, the high costs of tuition, expensive textbooks, and hardware can be prohibitive. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of free coding courses and resources available online. In this article, we shall explore how you can learn coding for free and achieve your goals.
Curated List of Top-rated Free Coding Courses and Resources
The following is a curated list of some of the most popular and effective free coding courses and resources available online:
- Codecademy – This is one of the most popular free coding courses websites out there. Codecademy offers courses in coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript. The platform uses an interactive approach making it easy for beginners to learn.
- edX – edX offers a variety of quality online courses in programming from top universities such as Harvard and MIT. It is a great resource for anyone looking to acquire advanced coding skills and knowledge.
- Khan Academy – Khan Academy offers free coding tutorials in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as more advanced topics such as SQL Database, Algorithm and Cryptography.
- FreeCodeCamp.org – FreeCodeCamp is a non-profit organization with a huge community of volunteers dedicated to helping people learn to code for free.
- Udacity – Udacity offers a selection of free coding classes in addition to their paid course offerings. The free programs provide an introduction to coding in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Each resource has its own unique features and benefits, it is essential to take some time to evaluate each one and pick the one that suits your learning style.
Tips for Setting Up an Optimal Learning Environment
Setting up an optimal learning environment can help set you up for success when learning to code for free. Here are some tips:
- Create a study schedule – Set aside time every day/week to study and stick to that schedule.
- Eliminate Distractions – Find a quiet place to study, turn off notifications, and eliminate any other distractions.
- Personalize your experience – Learning is different for everyone, customize your studying environment to what you find most effective.
By creating a conducive learning environment, you are better able to focus on your goal of learning to code for free.
Interviews with Successful Self-taught Coders
Interviews with successful self-taught coders can provide valuable insight into learning to code for free. We asked some successful self-taught coders about their favorite free resources or learning strategies. Here are some of the skills successful self-taught coders reveal to us:
- Targeted practice – Focus on one coding concept at a time, and use different resources to come at it from different angles.
- Keep working – Don’t give up if you find a challenge, seek different approaches or mentors.
- Experiment and build because practice is essential – Use your newly acquired skills to build real-world projects to gain practical experience.
It is possible to learn to code for free and be successful at it. Adopting some of the strategies shared by these successful coders can help one succeed too.
Benefits of Learning with Others
Learning with others is beneficial for both beginners and advanced coders. It provides an opportunity for skill sharing, feedback and, even, motivation.
Some popular online coding communities and collaborative coding events are as follows:
- DEV Community – A community of developers who write about and help each other regarding their tech journey.
- TechStars Community – This community provides opportunities for collaboration and mentorship with experienced developers.
- Meetup – Meetup groups provide opportunities for face-to-face networking with fellow coders in your area.
- HackathonsNearMe – This site is a clearinghouse of hackathons and coding events near your location.
These communities provide critical networking opportunities and can help beginners meet others with similar interests to ask questions and seek support in their learning journey.
Breaking Down the Basics of Common Coding Languages
Becoming familiar with coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential in learning to code for free. Below we break down each language and provide linking options for free tutorials for each language:
- HTML – HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and is the building block of the Web. It creates the structure of a webpage and marks up text, images, and other content that is displayed in a web browser. HTML tutorials can be found at w3schools and learn-html.org.
- CSS – CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets and is responsible for the visual presentation of a webpage. It styles HTML elements using colors, fonts, and layout. CSS tutorials can be found at w3schools and learn-css.org.
- Javascript – JavaScript is a programming language used to build dynamic web applications. It provides interactivity to a website, which is why it is essential for front-end web developers to learn. Javascript tutorials can be found at w3schools and learn-js.org.
Importance of Building Practice Projects
Coding is not just about learning the syntax, but also about putting it into practice. Building projects provide countless opportunities to apply the newly acquired coding skills. Here are some tips for building practice projects:
- Start with easy projects.
- Gradually increase the complexity of your projects
- Use online platforms like ProgrammingPrompts, Frontendmentor, and Codeshare.io to find project prompts or collaborate with others on projects.
Practicing what one has learned is crucial to becoming proficient in coding. Building projects is an excellent way to apply newly learned coding skills.
Leveraging Social Media as a Learning Tool
Social media can be an excellent tool for learning to code for free. Rather than scrolling aimlessly, try using social media to learn about coding and seek advice from other coders. Here are some ways to use social media as a learning tool:
- Follow influential coders on LinkedIn or Medium and read their blog posts to gain insight into their experiences.
- Participate in discussions on Reddit or StackOverflow to ask questions and receive feedback.
- Use Twitter to search for coding-related hashtags such as #coding, #javascript and #webdevelopment to learn specific topics on coding from different experts.
Using social media can provide opportunities to seek advice from other coders, and learn from the experiences of others.
Conclusion
Learning to code for free is a great way to acquire new skills and take your career to the next level. In this article, we have explored some of the most popular free coding courses and resources. We also provided tips on setting up an optimal learning environment, spoke to successful self-taught coders, and discussed the importance of learning with others. We also broke down the basics of common coding languages and talked about building projects as a way to apply the newly learned syntax. Finally, we looked at using social media as a tool for learning to code for free. We hope that the resources and tips in this article will set you on your way to becoming a proficient coder.
Additional resources:
- CodinGame – A platform that provides coding games to help you learn.
- w3Schools – A comprehensive web development resource that offers coding tutorials, examples, and quizzes.
- Code Conquest – This website offers a list of free coding resources for different programming languages.
