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Amanda Foster โ€” Reviewed writer, former magazine editor
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How to Handle Start Learning to Program Step by Step

When start learning to program leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Deciding on a Programming Language to Learn

1

Think about what you want to do with your programming

Think about what you want to do with your programming
knowledge. This can help you determine what to learn and how much you need to learn. Are you interested in web design? Do you want to create video games? Do you want to develop smartphone apps? Do you want a career in the tech industry? Do you enjoy problem-solving? Are you more interested in front-end programming or back-end programming?
  • This can help you determine what to learn and how much you need to learn.
  • Are you interested in web design?
  • Do you want to create video games?
  • Do you want to develop smartphone apps?
  • Do you want a career in the tech industry?
2

Understand different programming concepts.

Understand different programming concepts.
While there are many different programming languages, there are a few basic concepts that they all have in common. Some basic programming concepts are as follows:
  • While there are many different programming languages, there are a few basic concepts that they all have in common.
  • Some basic programming concepts are as follows:
  • While there are many different programming languages, there are a few basic concepts that they all have in common.
  • Some basic programming concepts are as follows:
  • While there are many different programming languages, there are a few basic concepts that they all have in common.
3

Decide what programming languages you want to learn.

Decide what programming languages you want to learn.
After you decide what you want to do with your programming knowledge, starting doing some research to figure out which programming languages are used in your field of interest.
  • After you decide what you want to do with your programming knowledge, starting doing some research to figure out which programming languages are used in your field of interest.
  • After you decide what you want to do with your programming knowledge, starting doing some research to figure out which programming languages are used in your field of interest.
  • After you decide what you want to do with your programming knowledge, starting doing some research to figure out which programming languages are used in your field of interest.
  • After you decide what you want to do with your programming knowledge, starting doing some research to figure out which programming languages are used in your field of interest.
  • After you decide what you want to do with your programming knowledge, starting doing some research to figure out which programming languages are used in your field of interest.
Part 2

Getting Resources Needed To Program

1

Find some beginner tutorials.

Find some beginner tutorials.
You can find plenty of basic tutorials online that are completely free. These may be coding websites, YouTube tutorials, or interactive web tutorials. You should also look for a textbook about the language you want to learn. Just make sure it's written for your skill level. Stephen Cognetta, MBA Computer Engineer Expert Interview Some online resource include the following:
  • You can find plenty of basic tutorials online that are completely free.
  • These may be coding websites, YouTube tutorials, or interactive web tutorials.
  • You should also look for a textbook about the language you want to learn.
  • Just make sure it's written for your skill level.
  • Stephen Cognetta, MBA Computer Engineer Expert Interview Some online resource include the following:
2

Download programs needed to program in your language.

Download programs needed to program in your language.
Not all programs require you to install software in order to start programming. For example, if you want to start programming in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you only need a text editor like Notepad or TextEdit and a web browser. However, other languages require you to download and install special software to run programs programmed in these languages
  • Not all programs require you to install software in order to start programming.
  • For example, if you want to start programming in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you only need a text editor like Notepad or TextEdit and a web browser.
  • However, other languages require you to download and install special software to run programs programmed in these languages
  • Not all programs require you to install software in order to start programming.
  • For example, if you want to start programming in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you only need a text editor like Notepad or TextEdit and a web browser.
3

Download an Integrated Development Environment.

Download an Integrated Development Environment.
Integrated Development Environments (IDE) are programs that contain comprehensive development tools that contain a code editor, build tools, debugger, and sometimes a compiler. Many IDEs support multiple languages. Some IDEs include the following:
  • Integrated Development Environments (IDE) are programs that contain comprehensive development tools that contain a code editor, build tools, debugger, and sometimes a compiler.
  • Many IDEs support multiple languages.
  • Some IDEs include the following:
  • Integrated Development Environments (IDE) are programs that contain comprehensive development tools that contain a code editor, build tools, debugger, and sometimes a compiler.
  • Many IDEs support multiple languages.
4

Download a compiler or interpreter.

Download a compiler or interpreter.
There are two main types of programming languages, compiled languages, and interpreted languages. A compiled language converts your code into a machine language the computer can understand. Compiled languages include C and C++. Interpreted languages use an interpreter execute the instructions in the code without converting them to machine code. Interpreted languages include Python and JavaScript. Some integrated development environments have a compiler or interpreter included. In some cases, you'll need to download a separate compiler or interpreter.
  • There are two main types of programming languages, compiled languages, and interpreted languages.
  • A compiled language converts your code into a machine language the computer can understand.
  • Compiled languages include C and C++.
  • Interpreted languages use an interpreter execute the instructions in the code without converting them to machine code.
  • Interpreted languages include Python and JavaScript.
Part 3

Starting To Program

1

Decide what the goal of your program is.

Decide what the goal of your program is.
Your program should have a goal that can be defined within a sentence or two. A program should have a specific task it accomplishes or helps the user accomplish. Some examples of program goals include the following:
  • Your program should have a goal that can be defined within a sentence or two.
  • A program should have a specific task it accomplishes or helps the user accomplish.
  • Some examples of program goals include the following:
  • Your program should have a goal that can be defined within a sentence or two.
  • A program should have a specific task it accomplishes or helps the user accomplish.
2

Decide the limitations your program must adhere to.

Decide the limitations your program must adhere to.
After you decide a goal for your program, then you must decide on the rules your program must follow in order to complete its goal For example:
  • After you decide a goal for your program, then you must decide on the rules your program must follow in order to complete its goal For example:
  • After you decide a goal for your program, then you must decide on the rules your program must follow in order to complete its goal For example:
  • After you decide a goal for your program, then you must decide on the rules your program must follow in order to complete its goal For example:
  • After you decide a goal for your program, then you must decide on the rules your program must follow in order to complete its goal For example:
  • After you decide a goal for your program, then you must decide on the rules your program must follow in order to complete its goal For example:
3

Troubleshoot unexpected problems you run into.

Troubleshoot unexpected problems you run into.
As you start programming, you'll likely run into problems you didn't expect. Try your best to find solutions to these problems The following are a few things you can do to troubleshoot problems you turn into.
  • As you start programming, you'll likely run into problems you didn't expect.
  • Try your best to find solutions to these problems The following are a few things you can do to troubleshoot problems you turn into.
  • As you start programming, you'll likely run into problems you didn't expect.
  • Try your best to find solutions to these problems The following are a few things you can do to troubleshoot problems you turn into.
  • As you start programming, you'll likely run into problems you didn't expect.

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