It seems that everybody wants to learn to code these days. It is not a surprise, as many famous people, like Mark Zuckerberg, tell that any person can do it with ease. So hundreds of new students choose IT sphere to start their career with. In fact, they shouldn’t study coding itself as it together with computers, are just amazing tools for achieving necessary results. Here the issue is to learn how to think the other way around. It means teachers should teach them computer science, not just coding. In the long run, a person will think like a programmer. But let’s find out what is the difference, and what does it actually mean.
The real world around us
Take a minute, stop and stare. Almost everyone uses laptops or computers to read the news, watch a video online, play games or write emails. It will be quite challenging to imagine a person without a smartphone with online maps, calendar, camera, and other applications. Come into the living room, there is a TV set with a DVD player, a digital cable, etc. Don’t pass a car that was also created using the latest technologies, they are just everywhere. It is impossible to live, work or study without them, these days.
Modern technologies have become a great part of our life. Each of technology is powered by software, which means, coding is always close at hand. However, it doesn’t mean students should study coding at school. They’d better focus on computer science that is a general purpose, but not on programming that is just a tool.
Easiest programming languages to learn
Computer science and coding: what to choose
In fact, these are different issues, which nobody should confuse, computer science is just study of computation. It means a person learns how to represent available information, including such concepts as logic, problem-solving, thinking, data and systems. The following tools help a programmer to perform a computation.
As for programming, it is used for showing to the computer how to perform a necessary operation. Those people who choose to learn to code, as a part of computer science, can enjoy lots of benefits. The main advantage is the strong ability to put all things together and start a successful career.
How to start a coder career
Want to become a famous and successful programmer? Then keep in mind the following recommendations and start not just writing necessary programs but begin to think in another way. Don’t know what to start with? Here are the most effective recommendations and secrets on starting to think like a programmer.
- Begin right now. Don’t wait for a more suitable day. Avoid hesitation and start working at the project. Never get upset if there are some difficulties. Start with parts you understand better and then fill others.
- Divide tasks into small clear steps. Programmers never think about all project points at once. They prefer to segregate the work into sections and subsections. So, to think like a coder you need to find a way to subdivide all tasks into several steps and do your best to carry out each of them, at a high level.
- Check the project several times. Thinking like a developer means doing a double check-up. Every high-qualified specialist checks the project several times, using the debugging program. In a case of some problems, a coder examines every line until an error is found and fixed.
- Apply previous experience for available programs. Don’t hurry up to start a new project without thinking about a previous one. It will be great to apply available solutions to other projects. It even may be possible to transfer some parts into future context.
What is the secret of thinking like a programmer
All mentioned above tips will be more effective in case you grow like a programmer.
Start to think creatively, and don’t act in a standard way.
Try always to look for new methods to manage with necessary tasks. In other words, be open and ready for any kinds of experiments. In case you have not enough freedom at work, go on doing it at home. Look for fresh ideas in order not to feel bored.
Moreover, try to develop a desire to improve professional skills constantly. Devote more time to studying new programming languages. It will help to level up available abilities and widen the horizons. And last but not least, don’t be shy to ask for help. It happens coders face some difficulties and just don’t know how to overcome them. Ask other specialists for professional assistance. Check special communities and try to find support there.
Summing Up
Thinking like a coder means being very attentive to all available details and a constant desire to develop own skills.
Don’t be afraid to make experiments and always look for new tools, in order to achieve the necessary results, as soon as possible. Follow all stated above steps and get a chance not just to become one another programmer, but to be a great specialist with own ideas and a special way of thinking. Remember, a successful developer knows a lot and is eager to learn even more.
