Advice on learning to code , what languages to start with and best way to go about it

[Mappa20]

I agree with the above mention of CS50 Harvard course. It covers a lot in C and learns you the fundamentals really well. Also free and can later upgrade it to the paid certification. It covers a lot of languages and is the best start you can get from a very reputable University. For reference I did it and the follow up for AI, and it really increased my job offers.

Did you end up upgrading to the paid?

 

[ramsayied]

Did you end up upgrading to the paid?

I actually never upgraded. They have automated testing in your code so it will give you an estimation how good your code is.

 

[JollyJamma]

OP hasn't been online since creating the post, so we're all just talking to ourselves

Weird. Maybe OP found the solution and is now a millionaire?

I’m relearning software development for my masters and as was said above, it’s all largely the same logic and instruction set just with a different syntax.

I did Turbo Pascal in highschool and they wanted me to drop to standard grade computer class which is all theory but I told them no, I could pass higher grade and I did.

I’m eternally grateful to myself for doing so as I’d be absolutely starting from scratch now if I hadn’t.

I started on the weekend learning C but moved to Python as that’s going to be the main part of the masters.

If you’re really smart, learn to code in a language like Ruby.

All of the boomers who are experts in it are retiring and there’s still a lot of companies that use it.

Banks still use a backend system from the late 60s (can’t recall the name) and they have youths (people in their 20s) who have extensive knowledge of modern coding languages, learning how to code this hell of an old coding language.

If I was wanting to further a career but not per se be a programmer, I would do what my ex did and complete a masters in software development.

She is a doctor who was offered the masters free of charge from a university and it lines her up nicely to move into a career in management of medical systems which is far more lucrative than being an actual doctor (this is in the UK where doctors pay is famously low relative to their working conditions)

 

[mikewazar]

Banks still use a backend system from the late 60s (can’t recall the name) and they have youths (people in their 20s) who have extensive knowledge of modern coding languages, learning how to code this hell of an old coding language.

Cobol? It's not a hell language at all. Quite easy to learn.

The bullshit comes when you need to use it on old systems with very little documentation like you mentioned. That part is why using the language in practice is balls but companies pay huge and its not going away anytime soon.

 

[Andrew_Smith]

I'm gearing up to dive into my upcoming interview prep using the resources from Educative.io.

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Sure, it's a paid option, but it's super flexible for mastering those core coding fundamentals, no matter which language or career path you're aiming for.

And at R1630 for the year, it's not too shabby of an investment when you consider it's all about levelling up your skills.

 

[JollyJamma]

Cobol? It's not a hell language at all. Quite easy to learn.

The bullshit comes when you need to use it on old systems with very little documentation like you mentioned. That part is why using the language in practice is balls but companies pay huge and its not going away anytime soon.

My god yes, the lack of documentation and the terrible UI where you have to know codes to get to the sections of the system to view certain information is so poor.

When I worked for a bank, I suggested that they create a brand new system that is modular and can be upgraded without impacting the whole system and run it along side of the old system.

Issue cards to select clients to use a long side their current cards with a promise that their funds will always be secured and that they need to use the new cards as much as possible and when the system is proven to be reliable, start moving eeeeveryone to the new system.

They said that they were in the process of creating said new system but banks move slowly.

Edit: I didn't say it was a hell of a language, I said it was a hell of an old language which makes it very limiting.

 

[JollyJamma]

I actually never upgraded. They have automated testing in your code so it will give you an estimation how good your code is.

I would still pay for the certificate. It's a noddy badge since you've already completed the course but companies love noddy badges so they can say why you're qualified for the position. It's also only $219 which for a course is insanely cheap.

Edit: they have a course in AI and machine learning for $466 which includes the introductory course and the Python programming for AI course together.

 

[Astyrix]

Just wanted to piggyback off this thread and try to get advice on trying to get into data science. I'm currently enrolled in this at Wits. They are teaching us in R due to it being an MA but I know that's not enough to get a job in the field so I'm going to start self-learning so by the time I'm done with this degree at the end of next year I'll be competent in SQL, Python and R. Just wanted to know if anyone had a good starting place for both SQL and Python. There's a lot of information out there and it's easy to get lost.

Also advice on where I can look for internships next year while I do my main research report would be really appreciated.

 

[ramsayied]

Just wanted to piggyback off this thread and try to get advice on trying to get into data science. I'm currently enrolled in this at Wits. They are teaching us in R due to it being an MA but I know that's not enough to get a job in the field so I'm going to start self-learning so by the time I'm done with this degree at the end of next year I'll be competent in SQL, Python and R. Just wanted to know if anyone had a good starting place for both SQL and Python. There's a lot of information out there and it's easy to get lost.

Also advice on where I can look for internships next year while I do my main research report would be really appreciated.

Hey just a recommendation as @JollyJamma also stated, Computer Science for Python Programming Professional Certificate. It will cover other parts and not just your basics. If you do not want to dive into the CS50 as the first course as you would've already covered a few of the aspects during your studies, HarvardX: CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python you can just do that one. However, I will always say do cs50 first to get a very good understanding of other aspects. I know Wits is really good, but I would always use Harvard as the standard which you should base your foundations on.

 

[ramsayied]

Just wanted to piggyback off this thread and try to get advice on trying to get into data science. I'm currently enrolled in this at Wits. They are teaching us in R due to it being an MA but I know that's not enough to get a job in the field so I'm going to start self-learning so by the time I'm done with this degree at the end of next year I'll be competent in SQL, Python and R. Just wanted to know if anyone had a good starting place for both SQL and Python. There's a lot of information out there and it's easy to get lost.

Also advice on where I can look for internships next year while I do my main research report would be really appreciate

As for SQL, I never really did a course just for sql as it can be taught just by your normal resources, however once you get into advanced areas like large stored procs or functions, then I would just go through Microsoft's Learn section and their documentation

 

[JollyJamma]

I’m using a combination of YouTube and some other sources to learn low level coding including object oriented programming, UML diagrams etc

 

[Astyrix]

Hey just a recommendation as @JollyJamma also stated, Computer Science for Python Programming Professional Certificate. It will cover other parts and not just your basics. If you do not want to dive into the CS50 as the first course as you would've already covered a few of the aspects during your studies, HarvardX: CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python you can just do that one. However, I will always say do cs50 first to get a very good understanding of other aspects. I know Wits is really good, but I would always use Harvard as the standard which you should base your foundations on.

Thats so helpful, thank you so much!

 

[Maxwell]

Python. Cause you can code an OS in it with 3 lines or less hahaha.

 

[ramsayied]

I’m using a combination of YouTube and some other sources to learn low level coding including object oriented programming, UML diagrams etc

As much as Youtubbe can be helpful, it can also be damaging. When I first started out I did Game Development and used to watch a lot of creators and Udemy courses, but something felt off. Went and read books and quickly realized that your more popular youtube channels and udemy courses are corner cutting and consistently had bad practices. So yeah I would much rather say do an edx course and do the free version