How to Improve Your Knowledge in Programming With the Best Technologies?

Being acquainted with code is one of the most demanding skills today. People want to increase their knowledge of computing science not because they want to get a higher salary but because they desire to be independent in these times of quick technological development.

Consequently, searching for knowledge in programming is a natural way to build self-development and new career possibilities. 

 

Still, many students new to coding face challenges because they don’t know where to start. They can barely understand what the Java gravity calculator example means or how to compute the position of an object and output it in the program. 

 

For this purpose, they need to find not just the solution but the sources of other programmers to come up with a solution by themselves. 

 

In our article, we’ve prepared seven recommendations to improve your knowledge of computing using the best technologies today.

 

1. Get a degree

 

It sounds banal, but it’s true! There is no better path to gain new skills than pursuing an education in computer science. It remains the leading element employers consider when accepting you for a job. 

 

Formal learning in college or university will help you not only to get a certificate, proving you are a great specialist, but also to gain practical skills. You can learn from your mistakes and correct them with the help of your teacher. 

 

Degree programs could be expensive, but it is the best investment you can make. This is one of the most effective ways to build a professional network. Also, you can always get assistance on your projects from cutting-edge field influencers. 

 

Remember that studying theoretical concepts on your own could be very difficult. Getting an on-campus or online degree in programming at one of the most recognized educational institutes will open a wide range of possibilities in artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, programming languages, and compilers. 

 

(Similar read: Machine learning Tutorial)

 

2. Join a programming community

 

People are the basis of everything! Remember it while studying coding as well. You could be a great software developer in theory, but without sharing your project with others, it is hard to understand your strengths and weaknesses as a specialist. 

 

Joining such online platforms as GitHub, Reddit, or Stack Overflow will help you to get your question answered. 

 

When you have support from people with similar interests, it is a great opportunity to learn something new each day. It brings a lot of encouragement and a better understanding of the topic you’ve chosen. 

 

Work through challenges with people more advanced in computing studies or advise on someone’s project yourself if you are confident enough in the solution. 

 

Also, you can follow programmers on social media such as Instagram or Facebook, collaborate with them, and contribute to open-source projects.

 

Meanwhile, you will always have current updates on any language and the latest signs of progress in the industry. You may start with “First Step Towards Python”

 

3. Practice daily

 

Who can become a great programmer without writing code? No one! Therefore, plan your time to dedicate some hours every day to find new knowledge on computing subjects. 

 

After you’ve learned some theory from books or online courses, it is necessary to apply this information to real life. Get a task from your teacher or work with open source code to spend some time coding. 

 

Sometimes students get impostor syndrome, thinking they are not good enough in theory, so they see no reason to move on to practice. Still, knowing the basics is sufficient reason to start practicing. 

 

Only when you are working on your projects and face some challenges can you understand the benefit of defeat. This moves you forward to strive for better results in software engineering, Cybersecurity, or other programming tasks. 

 

For instance, you can open Project Euler and train your coding skills online. Here you can find many issues that need your corrections and prepare for real-life tasks. 

 

4. Apply for a Bootcamp

 

Bootcamp is a coding festival where you can study programming quickly. All participants can spend from 12 to 40 weeks surrounded by like-minded personalities and get essential skills on a wide range of computing subjects. 

 

Some courses might be as short as masterclasses and take no more than one weekend. If you want to get new knowledge on programming and are short on time, a Bootcamp is a great option for you! Still, this way of learning doesn’t suit everyone. 

 

For example, if you are a coder with experience and just need to freshen your perspective and build a new network, a Bootcamp will work great for you. Otherwise, if you are not skilled in programming, it would be hard for you to get involved in a fast studying rhythm. Decide for yourself and participate if you are ready to develop deeper skills for career growth.

 

Let’s say,  you can start with R programming, “Introduction to R Programming”

 

5. Read books

 

One of the simplest ways not only to start but also improve programming knowledge is to get acquainted with classical coding literature. This is perfect for those who haven’t any background in computing. 

 

Yes, this industry is fast-moving, so many magazines, published articles, or books can be outdated resources by the time they appear in your hands. Print and digital publications are still valuable, but you need to keep in mind their timeliness. 

 

In any case, it is comfortable to write code and look in the opened book with principles, tasks, and solutions laid down beside you on your working table. 

Meanwhile, books are great for those who memorize information visually by reading words physically printed. It could play a significant role when you need to cope with the task without any prompts. 

 

Consider these books to read when you enter the computing science without any background: 

 

• “Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software” by Charles Petzold.

• “Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions” by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths.

• “Cracking the Coding Interview: 150 Programming Interview Questions and Solutions, 6th Edition” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell.

• “Introduction to Algorithms, Third Edition” by Thomas H. Cormen, Charles E. Leiserson, Ronald L. Rivest, and Clifford Stein.

• “The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering, Anniversary Edition, 2nd Edition” by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.

 

6. Take online courses

 

Today, many platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy, edX, Khan Academy, and many others are specialized in programming courses. They are presented by experienced teachers worldwide who work in famous schools and universities. 

 

Many of these courses are free and provide a certificate of completion for those ready to pay the symbolic price. Even if this certificate is not equal to the one you’ve got and actually finished a degree, the knowledge you would get at these courses is also meaningful.   

 

In addition to this, specialization in coding demands for strong understanding of statistics and mathematics. A crash course on statistics and mathematics can be adopted for this.

 

7. Play games

 

Studying with the help of games sounds much more fun than just learning. There are many online games you can benefit from while getting deeper into code. 

 

Consider such contests as Ruby Warrior, Codemoji, Codecombat, Code Monster, Tynker, Code.org, CodeMonkey, Scratch, Blocky Games, and CodinGame. 

 

Each of them helps to develop the language you want to work on and train your skills related to your coding proficiency. 

 

With these games, you can solve puzzles, create animations, and learn to work with libraries and essential software development elements. Anyway, computing science is a big game itself created by people for humanity. 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Focusing on these seven tips on improving your computing skills, you can open a wide range of possibilities in any industry. Stay open to career opportunities and never be afraid of trying something new. 

 

Even if you are experienced in only one language, you are talented enough to start coding new syntax. Remember, every programmer should accept the challenge and never give up after making mistakes because it is an excellent path for self-growth.