how to survive a basic programming course

by Trevor Wyman 5 min read

What is this course on BASIC programming?

This course deals with basic programming, and sets the foundation for solid programming practices for beginners. This course is part of the Fundamentals of Computer Science XSeries Program:

How hard is it to learn programming?

Learning programming is hard, I’m not going to lie. However, when you compare it to other skills and career paths, becoming a programmer will be one of the easiest choices you make! Programmers work in a very exciting field where every day brings new challenges and new knowledge.

What degree do I need to learn basic programming?

Though it can be less efficient than low-level languages, BASIC programming emphasizes symbols, which is very useful for beginners. You may be interested in a career in computer science or programming, in which case a traditional two- or four-year degree in computer science might be most suitable.

How to get started with programming?

Step 1: Understand Why You Want To Start Programming 2.2. Step 2: Decide What Field You Want To Go Into 2.3. Step 3: Learn a Programming Language (or Three) 2.4.

What should a beginner learn for programming?

14 Step Roadmap for Beginner DevelopersFamiliarize Yourself with Computer Architecture and Data Basics.Learn How Programming Languages Work.Understand How the Internet Works.Practice Some Command-Line Basics.Build Up Your Text Editor Skills with Vim.Take-up Some HTML.Tackle Some CSS.Start Programming with JavaScript.More items...•

How do you survive a programming class?

7 Personal Growth Hacks to Survive a Coding BootcampTenacity. Coding bootcamps are called “bootcamps” for a reason. ... Goal-oriented focus. ... Attentiveness. ... Meditation and mindfulness. ... Learn to take breaks. ... Don't let stress bottle up; be honest about anxiety. ... Being okay that you won't learn everything at once.

Is basic programming hard to learn?

Programming has a reputation for being one of the most difficult disciplines to master. Considering how different it is from traditional forms of education, including college degrees in computer science, it's not hard to see why some people have difficulty learning how to code.

How long does it take to learn the basics of programming?

three to six monthsMost coders agree that it takes three to six months to be comfortable with the basics of coding. But you can learn coding faster or slower depending on your preferred pace. Let's get into the specific skills you'll need to learn.

How hard is coding?

Coding is not hard to learn. If you take the time and have a lot of patience, you can really learn just about anything. Coding is no exception. Learning to code takes a good amount of time and persistence, but if you have those then we guarantee you'll get there.

Why is coding bootcamp so hard?

Bootcamps require a huge expenditure of time and energy. If you're limited in either, you'll have a harder time doing well. This doesn't mean it's impossible to finish. There were two people in my cohort (myself and another student) with children less than a year old.

Is coding a stressful job?

The job can be stressful at times, but computer programmers are compensated well for any anxiety they might experience. Many jobs in this profession are being outsourced to other countries where pay is lower, saving companies money.

Can I teach myself coding?

But yes, it is entirely possible that you can be a self-taught programmer. However, it will be a long, tedious process. There's a saying that it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field.

How do you know if coding is not for you?

Here are some signs that programming is not for you.You don't like sitting. ... No interest in solving a puzzle. ... You like repetitive tasks. ... Aversion against Googling. ... Zero patience and energy level. ... Full of ego. ... If you want to be told what to do. ... If you have never said: “There's gotta be a better way.”More items...•

Can I learn Python in a week?

If you're interested in learning the fundamentals of Python programming, it could take you as little as two weeks to learn, with routine practice. If you're interested in mastering Python in order to complete complex tasks or projects or spur a career change, then it's going to take much longer.

Can I learn to code with no experience?

It takes a lot of time, work, and dedication to understand the basics of coding. It's like learning a new language, which takes a lot of time and effort. However, once you've successfully learned a second language, you can generally learn a third and fourth without much trouble.

Is Python hard to learn?

Python is widely considered among the easiest programming languages for beginners to learn. If you're interested in learning a programming language, Python is a good place to start.

How long does it take to become a programmer?

The length of time it takes to become a programmer depends on the way you choose to learn . You can learn at school or university , or even on...

How do you become a computer programmer?

To become a computer programmer practicing is the most important part besides learning. So, to really master programming you need to try doin...

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What is the best programming language for a modern day coder?

Learning how to become a programmer in Python is crucial for a modern-day coder. One of the most versatile and widespread programming languages in the world, Python is a great choice for people who want to work in data science, software development, or pretty much any other programming field.

What is software programmers?

Software programmers areas you can probably guess - responsible for creating software. They usually take a design or a concept that someone else has come up with and write the code to turn it into a working product.

What programming language is used to develop smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain?

Solidity. If you're wondering how to become a programmer that works with blockchain technologies, then Solidity is your answer. Solidity is probably the least well-known and the least popular programming language on this list. It is used to develop smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.

What programming language is used for robotics?

JavaScript. JavaScript is another versatile programming language that is used for many things. If you want to learn how to become a programmer, JavaScript could be a good place to start. It is used for interactive front-end web design, back-end web app development, game development, and even in robotics!

What is the difference between a web developer and a front end developer?

Web developers can be further separated into front-end (client-side) and back-end (server-side) developers. Front-end programmers are responsible for writing the code that dictates what a website looks like and how its content is presented.

What is the last language on the list?

Ruby. The last language on our list, Ruby, has become popular due to its uses as a full-stack web development language. Originally designed in Japan for building games, Ruby is another versatile language with several use cases, and it’s worth considering if you want to get into web or game development.

What is software developer?

In the case of a software developer, they take a concept or design and write the code that tells the computer how to execute this concept. In the case of someone like a web developer, they take a proposed website design and build it by writing the necessary code.

What are the concepts of procedural programming?

In this course, you will be introduced to the five main concepts in procedural programming: user input, console output, variable declaration and assignment, decision branching and iteration. Labs will allow the students to apply the material in the lectures in simple computer programs designed to re-enforce the material in the lesson. Learners will need to have a local machine with any one of the following operating systems; Windows 7 SP1 or higher, macOS 10.1.13 or higher, or almost any version of Linux from the last several years. The learner will either need to download the free community edition of Visual Studio or the open source .NET Core installation. We will walk you through the process of getting your local environment set up as part of the course.

Can you see lectures in audit mode?

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit.

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What is programming in education?

Programming is one of the courses offered in computer education in the Universities and Colleges of Education in Nigeria. Various studies carried out show that students perform poorly in programming courses. Based on this fact, the researcher investigated the attitudes of computer education students towards programming courses. The study also explored effective ways of improving the teaching and learning of programming courses in computer education. The population for the study was comprised of 532 computer education students and 67 lecturers/instructors in both Colleges of Education and Universities in Enugu State, Nigeria. A sample size of 367 was used for the study, using a simple random sampling technique to select 300 computer education students, while the entire 67 lecturers/instructors were studied. The study used three research instruments for data collection. The first instrument was the Programming Attitudes Questionnaire (PAQ) designed to analyze students' attitudes toward programming courses. The second instrument was the Perceived Level of Difficulty of Programming Languages Questionnaire (PLDPLQ) designed to evaluate the students' perceived level of difficulty of programming languages taught in Nigerian higher institutions. The reliability of the instruments was determined using the Cronbach alpha formula to test for the internal consistency of the items, and reliability coefficients of 0.91 and 0.87 were obtained respectively for PAQ and PLDPLQ. The data collected were analyzed using mean scores and t-test statistics. The third instrument, structured interview, was used to identify the factors responsible for poor performance of students in programming courses as well as the strategies for enhancing the teaching and learning of programming courses in Nigerian higher institutions. The findings of the study revealed that students' attitudes toward programming as a course in Nigerian higher education was found to be positive. However, factors such as lack of practical during programming classes, the use of traditional teaching methods, insufficient instructional materials are among other barriers responsible for poor performance of students in programming courses. It was recommended that computer education programmes should be well-funded by the government; programming lecturers should emphasize more on hands-on activities during programming classes; competent/qualified lecturers should be employed, trained and retrained on new trends in computer programming, among others.

What is the basic education curriculum for computer studies?

The 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum for Computer Studies, published in 2007 emphasized the teaching of computer programming language using conventional BASIC command-driven interpreters like QBasic and GWBasic as teaching tools. Efforts have been geared toward giving teachers adequate pedagogical training for proper dissemination of knowledge in computer programming based on these tools. However, there have not been significant efforts at developing an alternative user-friendly GUI training platform or tool that will stimulate the interest of the young learners as early as possible. This research proposes Simple Pedagogical Programming Language (SiPPL) interpreter for teaching programming in Junior Secondary Schools in Nigeria, without the complexity involved in programming itself. The SiPPL, which is modular in design and developed with Java on the Netbean Integrated Development Environment (IDE), can run on any operating system that has Java Virtual Machine. The accrued benefit of SiPPL is to familiarize the learners to computer programming at early stage of their academic career. Keywords: Computer Programming; Pedagogy; JSS; SiPPL; Algorithms; Curriculum; Nigeria

What is a computer programmer?

A computer programmer is computer scientist (a professional) skilled in using constructs of. programming languages to develop executable and acceptable computer programs. A software. developer is a programmer. Programmers often work hand in hand with system analysts on large. projects.

What is a program in computer terms?

A program is a set of instructions written in a language (such as BASIC) understandable by the. computer to perform a particular function on the computer. A well written program could be parceled.

Should computer education be funded?

It was recommended that computer education programmes should be well-funded by the government; programming lecturers should emphasize more on hands-on activities during programming classes; competent/qualified lecturers should be employed, trained and retrained on new trends in computer programming, among others.

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