Starting Your Programming career?
Are you interested in coding or becoming a professional programmer? There are many tools out there that can help you out and teach you the basics of programming. Some tools such as CodeAcademy.com or Code.com helps you by teaching you the basic knowledge required to create your first program.
Before starting to code, you must first analyze the problem and find a logical solution to it. In many cases there will be more than one way of solving it and the time difference between the solutions is most essential. Break down the problem by parts and analyze each component, make sure you fully understand what it's asking you to solve. It is recommended to write down your logic in a piece of paper so that it is easier for you to see how your code will work.
Once your code looks good on the piece of paper, you can finally start coding it. There are multiple ways of coding. There is the brute force method, in which you code everything first and then check your errors at the end, fixing little bugs wherever you find them. This can sometimes prove to be the fastest way to code, but can lead to the most errors. The second way is the code & fix method. This method involves you coding part and checking for bugs before advancing to the next part of your program. This can sometimes take longer to complete but will usually leave you with the least bugs in the end.
A good way to test your program is by giving it sample inputs. Most websites or problem gives you an initial input and corresponding output, but if one is not provided, you can simply create your own and test your program to see if it produces the required output.
Once done testing your program, always remember to add your name and date to your program. You always want to make sure your program is identified.
After you have finished your program and identified it, now comes one of the most important parts of any program, the comments. Comments are essential to any program, it ensures that anyone can recreate or follow your program exactly how it is meant to. Every person has their own way of coding and their own "logic" therefore it is critical to ensure that you explain your train of process so that anyone who reads your program can follow it exactly as it is meant to.
There are the essential steps to start programming. As with almost everything else in the world, the best way to get better is by practicing constantly.