Coding Essentials: Learn How to Become a Good Coder

As per Future Processing, BLS, there are approximately 26.9 million software developers and coders in the world as of 2022. That’s how rapidly the world has gotten digitized. According to Grand View Research, the global software development market size was valued at 429.59 billion in 2021 and is only expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2022 to 2030. This is why coding has become such a highly sought-after career path. It also explains why “how to become a coder” is one of our top queries. All you require is the right combination of technical know-how, soft skills, and guidance to kickstart your coding journey. Explore this article to understand what this journey entails. 

What is Coding?

Coding is the process of giving a computer a set of instructions on what actions to perform with the help of coding languages. These coding languages form the core of modern computer software such as operating systems, websites, and applications, among others. It is an integral element of programming that serves a singular and specific purpose – to be understood by computer systems. 

You can read more about ‘what is coding’ here. 

What do Coders Actually do?

In a nutshell, a coder is someone who creates software by converting a task into a set of commands for the system to process and execute. Websites, mobile applications, and operating systems are common types of software. To understand what coders do, let’s take the example of digital transactions. One cannot simply create a ‘pay now’ tab on a website and start processing payments. In fact, every such transaction is a result of complex code that enables a seamless user experience. 

Computing systems understand binary language, a series of zeroes and ones. Since creating software using binary code is challenging, coders use programming languages. A translator software called compiler further breaks this code into binary for the computer to understand. Most coding jobs require developers to write code using programming languages like Java, HTML, Python, etc. depending on the task at hand, as each language serves a distinct purpose. 

Also Read: What Coding Languages to Learn in Order to Succeed in Life

How to Become a Coder

If you are wondering how to become a coder, there are many paths you can choose. The following are steps in the path of least resistance to begin a coding career: 

Step 1: Choose a Programming Field

The first step is to gain clarity about the field of your specialization. For example, a few popular coding job roles are Web Developer, Software Programmer, Mobile Application Developer, Game Developer, and Data Scientist. Since each domain requires a unique coding skill set, making an informed choice is crucial. 

Step 2: Understand Programming Languages

Start learning the basics of programming languages relevant to your chosen field. For instance, if you aim to become a front-end web developer, understanding the code for JavaScript might be most beneficial. At the same time, Python is an ideal choice for someone who wants to work in data science or machine learning.

Step 3: Develop Adequate Soft Skills

The main job of a coder revolves around problem-solving. Further, strong communication skills, time management, adaptability, self-awareness, and teamwork are a few soft skills that will help you thrive in a collaborative environment.

Step 4: Explore Internship Opportunities

Finding relevant internships is a great way to boost your coding skills and get real industry experience as a beginner. It will help you learn better, gather experience, understand the pros and cons of the field, and strengthen your resume. 

Step 5: Execute Your Coding Skills

Since coding is a competitive career choice, many skilled coders constantly work on developing apps and software to practice and polish their skills. To become a top coder, you need to strengthen your abilities by being consistent with your practice and remaining updated on new developments in the industry. 

Step 6: Create a Portfolio

Build a strong profile that reflects any experience in the field and highlights your potential as a coder. You can even take up freelance projects or remote assignments that showcase your skills. This will help future employers understand your well-rounded abilities to work on different projects. 

Step 7: Find a Mentor

A trusted advisor or mentor can offer an in-depth perspective on the world of coding and can guide you on how to develop your skills further. Moreover, connecting with people from the industry is a great way to learn, seek advice and strengthen your understanding of essential programming concepts. 

Do You Need a Degree to be a Coder?

If you want to become a coder, learning options are practically limitless and can vary between online and offline courses. However, if your goal is to target high-tech fields in the future, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science is a suitable choice. It will provide you with valuable theoretical knowledge and a well-rounded perspective on the diverse scope of the field. 

However, the truth is that you do not necessarily need a conventional degree to have a successful coding career. Many online resources, video tutorials, and learning platforms can help you learn. Joining a coding course is also a great way to acquire the necessary skills. 

In fact, many of our learners at Emeritus have switched to a career in coding without any technical background. Ashley Goldstein’s story stands out as she moved from being a middle school art teacher to an extended reality game creator at Nvidia! Read more about how to become a coder from Goldstein’s journey. 

Emeritus offers a range of basic to advanced level online coding courses and full stack courses from top universities worldwide. 

Benefits of Online Coding Courses

Coding courses have been curated to offer intensive training experience and essential coding skills within a short amount of time. 

Here are some main benefits of enrolling in online coding courses:

• It is excellent for beginners who would like to enhance their expertise in coding as well as for professionals who are looking to transition into the field
• It is generally more affordable compared to traditional academic degrees
• It is convenient, highly accessible, and accounts for a self-paced learning experience
• You can learn specialized skills such as system design, cloud computing, and others within a considerably short time compared to a degree. Most online coding courses range from nine to twelve weeks
• It helps you learn a combination of technical and soft skills, which are both critical aspects of a successful coding career

Also Read: Top 3 Reasons to Pursue Bootcamps Today for Career Growth

Online Courses vs. In-Person Classes

Understanding your learning style is vital when picking an on-site or an online coding course. If you are self-motivated and work best alone, perhaps an online course is better suited for you. However, if you are keen on learning in a classroom environment surrounded by like-minded individuals, an on-site course is the right choice. 

Listed below are the main highlights of coding courses, in-person and online. 

In-Person Coding Classes

• Structured and supervised learning 
• On-campus learning experience
• Higher tuition fees
• Immediate feedback and support from faculty

Online Coding Programs

• Easily accessible from anywhere in the world
• Self-paced learning 
• Lower tuition fees
• Virtual faculty support anytime

There are plenty of virtual and in-person courses, degrees, and certifications to choose from when it comes to building a career in coding. Given that the industry is incredibly fast-paced, it is apparent that staying up to date on recent developments and consistently practicing code is an integral aspect of becoming a skilled coder. At Emeritus, you can choose from a variety of online coding courses that teach you how to become a coder and move on to more advanced topics to support your coding career. 

By Priya Iyer Vyas

Write to us at content@emeritus.org