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Ayobami Ogundiran
Ayobami Ogundiran

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How to be Consistent with Learning to Code.

Coding is hard, right?

Don't panic because I will try my best to help you find a way to stick to it and achieve your dream.

Coding can be very challenging even for experienced software developers to let alone beginners that are just getting started. Therefore, many people are unable to achieve their dreams of becoming programmers because they gave up along the line.

So, I am willing to show you how I have helped my students stick to coding until they got addicted to it.

This is how?

Keep It Stupid Simple.

To be consistent with learning a programming language, JavaScript, for example, you have to keep it stupid simple.

Break the language down into units and don't move from the first unit to the second unit until you have understood the first unit and so on.

Let's break JavaScript down as a case study.

Variable

      1st. var.
      2nd. let.
      3rd. const.
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Don't feel ashamed to stick to Variable or don't feel tempted to move to Data Type, Operators or others until you have understood Variable.

Data Types

   1st. String- makes sure you practice using string and its methods before moving to other data types.

   2nd. Number- Read and work with numbers and its methods before you move to Null.

   3rd. Null- Understand Null and use it before moving to Undefined.

   4th. Undefined- Rinse and repeat.

   5th. Boolean- Rinse and repeat.

   6th. BigInt- Rinse and repeat.
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Then, you can move to Operators:

   1st. Arithmetic Operators.

   2nd. Operator & Description.

   3rd. Comparison Operators.

   4th. Assignment Operators.

   5th. Bitwise Operators.
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Data Structures

    1st. Array.
    2nd. Object.
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Then, let's move to code structures:

Code Structures

    1st. Function.
    2nd. Class (not recommended until you have built at least a project with others).
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Learn one thing at a time.

I don't care about hours, days or weeks it takes you to understand, I only care about whether you give or you don't give up.

In short, learn a unit before moving to another unit.

It doesn't matter whether a unit takes you an hour, a day or week, what matters is understanding it in the end.

I am sure you would be tempted to keep checking all other units from time to time. Resist the temptation!

Deal with your distractions first.

We all have distractions. Is it your current job, husband, wife, girlfriend or survival struggle?

You need to figure out your distractions and schedule your coding time to a convenient time when you are sure you're unlikely to be distracted.

Don't work too hard.

Programming is hard for experienced people to let alone a beginner. Working too hard without getting reasonable results may discourage you easily. When you are a bit drained mentally, stop to continue later. Slow and steady wins the race!

Start as a 5 - 6 Months Sprint.

Give yourself a six-mouth-learning goal and you can break into two:

  1. Learning the basic.
  2. Building projects.

You can start to learn the basic by following #100DaysOfCode on Twitter or any other means you like.

I don't see what is bad in working on Var on the first day of #100DaysOfCode. As a beginner, do it that way until you get addicted. Coding, in the beginning, is about addiction. It is when you become more experienced you reduce the addiction.

After learning the basic, it is time to build things.

Don't go for complex projects initially. Go for small projects. I recommend cloning Florin Pop's 10ProjectsIn10hours here: https://github.com/florinpop17/10-projects-10-hours

Make them work on your computer and try to understand why they work. Google whatever you don't understand.

Don't rush! Do it as it is easy for you.

After six months, dare anything.

You have all it takes.

One more thing

Are you having difficulties to learn and understand JavaScript and build projects with it? JavaScript for a Total Novice teaches JavaScript and Project Making Fundamentals with simple illustrations and examples that make everything so easy. You can now handle any difficult projects without fear.

Don't trust me, get a free previous to judge by yourself: https://bit.ly/3o3TMyg
Let's change the world together. So, share whatever you think can help. Thanks in advance.

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