Programming is a field in IT that is in extraordinary demand in the 21st century. It involves several areas. An example is web development or game programming. Depending on the chosen direction the user will learn how to create this or that software.
This article will tell you who is a programmer, what a developer is engaged in, as well as about specialized languages. Google is full of information regarding the relevant question, but it’s easy to get confused. It will also have to clarify what qualities someone who wants to write content for devices should have. One shouldn’t forget about getting a specialized education as well. Everyone should also choose the path of becoming a developer in advance. This will help to achieve the desired result faster.
Concepts between Development and Programming
If you want to “write programs,” you must first choose one direction or the other. There are two similar concepts. Both beginners and experienced users have to understand the difference between them.
Programming is the solution to a strictly defined problem with the help of a given (chosen) language. A programmer is a specialist who will search for the optimal solution for a given situation. A narrowly focused worker.
Development is a broader and more complex concept. It is a process that, according to Google, involves creating projects from scratch. It includes updates, support, and working with the product all the way to release.
A developer is a professional who doesn’t just “write programs and websites.” He is also an expert in:
- databases;
- Software architecture;
- Program structures;
- Programming languages and development paradigms;
- Queries;
- Team communications.
This is the top step in your chosen career. To become a real developer, it is not enough to look at Google and specialized sites. You have to gain practice, and you have to constantly improve.
Skills and knowledge
Programming elementary software is not that hard. Anyone has a chance to see what they can do in content development. It is enough to learn this or that language, and then use its syntaxes to create code.
A good programmer must have certain skills, knowledge and abilities. Personal qualities also can play an important role in a career. These issues will be discussed below in more detail.
The Spectrum of Knowledge
Google is full of sites where you can see the requirements for “programmer/developer” jobs. The knowledge and skills here depend on both the specific tasks and the potential employer.
The general knowledge for all programmers includes the following “areas”:
- English language;
- Programming languages (one or more);
- The principles of querying;
- Development environments;
- Key frameworks and libraries of the chosen language;
- Working with the tools of the language;
- Fundamentals of Computer Science;
- Information processing;
- Testing.
The employee will have to learn how to read other people’s code and use debuggers. He must be able to translate business problems into machine languages.
Qualities and Character Traits
On employment sites, it is possible to find a lot of data on how a potential employer imagines his subordinates. Developers are people who not only have a specific luggage of knowledge. They must have certain personal qualities.
A good programmer will:
- Think creatively;
- Have critical thinking and developed logic;
- Stress-resistant;
- Be able to perform extraordinary and monotonous tasks;
- Find a language with different people in a team.
Such a person has good self-organization, diligence and assiduity. He strives to make software better. Programmers are characterized by independent development in the chosen direction.
Classification of directions
Google for Dummies is full of information on how to get started on the path to becoming a developer. Specialized sites will tell you in detail about each selected language, its features and tools.
Before you decide on the “syntax of writing software”, watch specialized videos and read the literature, you need to choose the direction of activity. In the field of programming, all subordinates can be divided into several categories:
- Applied development. Google indicates that it involves creating programs and utilities for specific tasks. An example is a video editor, an online translator, a game, a messenger. Specialized sites indicate that such specialists are called “general-purpose programmers.
- System development. From the name, it is clear that users have to deal with operating systems. This is not the easiest area for beginners. Systems “character” developers, according to Google, compose the software for the OS as well as the drivers. They make sure they work together smoothly.
- Web development. Means writing websites, pages, online stores, as well as widgets, browsers, and everything that will function on the web. An example – any social network or search engine.
There are a lot of professions related to programming. Examples are web designers, layout designers, systems engineers, Big Data specialists, and software architects. The most common choice in development is between frontend, backend, and full stack programming.
Front-end Developer
Frontend is, according to Google, the creation of an environment for program and user interaction. Everything the client sees. This usually includes the formation of functionality and interface. It would be nice to be able to work with graphics editors in this area.
Back-end Developer
Backend is another direction. Learning the backend takes much more time and effort. This “field” is not good for dummies.
A backend developer is someone who is responsible for the “internals” of a program. He works with the server part of the website or the corresponding program. He adjusts and configures what is “not normally visible to the user”.
Full Stack Developer
Fullstack – Google states that this is full software programming. It includes frontend and backend. It also includes layout.
For beginners, a full stack developer is not the best solution. At first, the training will take a lot of time and effort. And some points will be completely incomprehensible. Therefore, it is better for those who have already learned how to write websites and other content to “take on” the corresponding sphere.
Briefly about programming languages
Google will help you find useful development services. And also – sites that have lessons and tutorials in a variety of languages. Further learning will depend on the appropriate choice. Some languages are not suitable for beginners.
Programming Language Python
Python is one of the most popular languages in 2021. It is suitable for both dummies and experienced professionals. Large projects have been created on its basis, though not entirely.
It has the following advantages:
- Simple syntax;
- Easy to understand code;
- Functionality.
But it can not make particularly large projects on it. This is due to the lack of an abundance of libraries and tools.
Programming Language C#
C-Sharp was invented by Microsoft. It is focused on writing software for Windows operating systems. It is the basis of the Unity engine. It helps to create system applications as well as libraries for C++.
Programming Language JavaScript
Learn JS if you want to master web development. It is based on scripts. Allows you to release “tools for the web”. Has a clear and simple syntax. Most sites, according to information from Google, are programmed in JavaScript.
Has a good level of security, but if mistakes are made it will be problematic to make corrections. Training videos on JS and specialized literature is not difficult to find.
Programming Language Java
Object-oriented, simple and straightforward. A real gift for beginners. Google points out that java is based in English. It has:
- Lots of libraries, functions and tools;
- Good readable code;
- Tools for connecting additional libraries;
- Simple and clear syntax.
An example of a successful project made entirely in Java is Minecraft. Video tutorials on it aren’t too hard to find, either. And you can always ask for advice in the official community on the official site.
Programming Language C++
C Plus Plus is a language every self-respecting developer should know. It can be used to create all kinds of tools: from games to business solutions. It is used everywhere. Learned in most educational institutions.
C++ doesn’t have the easiest syntax. Lessons on it on Google can be found easily, but to understand some of the tools is not easy. In the official community, experienced colleagues are sure to give useful tips for learning.
C++ is cross-platform. It is suitable both for writing software for computers and for mobile platforms. Tutorial videos will clearly demonstrate how to use it competently.
A few words about specialized education
The previously presented PLs are not exhaustive. You can find video tutorials on HTML, PHP, Ruby, and other ways to create software. It is just that the previously presented variants are more common in practice.
Programming for beginners will not be difficult if you approach the issue of obtaining the appropriate education competently. It is recommended to think about this point in advance.
Colleges
School students can go straight to college after elementary school. You should stop at the direction of “Information Technology and Programming”. This option:
- Takes three to four years;
- Provides offline classes in a face-to-face setting;
- Suitable for high school students.
It’s also based on practice. Theoretical lessons are reinforced. At the end there is a diploma of the established form. This is a great start for beginners.
Institutions and Universities
There are interesting and useful suggestions on university websites, too. This is an expensive and time-consuming way out. But it gives the opportunity to fully study the areas of interest in development.
At the lectures they show videos and organize practice. If a person is trained beforehand in a technical school, he can be enrolled in the 2-3rd year. The average period of study is 4-6 years. At the end a state diploma is issued.
Self-education
Google points out that self-education is the best solution for organized people. A person will be able to search for specialized sites and video tutorials on the NLP and libraries on their own and then study them for as long as they need.
This is where tools like these come in handy:
- Literature;
- Video tutorials;
- Tutorials and manuals;
- Official documentation.
On your own, you can find a lot of development, to focus on points that are not understood by a particular user. But you will not be able to document your skills. All that remains is to collect a portfolio and participate in development contests.
Paid courses with instructors
The Internet is full of online educational institutions. They offer online courses in development.
This is the best solution for beginners and experienced programmers. You don’t have to Google sites and development literature. The programs are designed to last up to a year. At the end, an e-certificate will be handed out.
Why teach children how to program?
Even if a child does not want to devote his life to programming, there are a number of reasons why this skill may be useful in the future.
Programming develops logical thinking
The most important aspect of programming is that it teaches you to think and reason logically. Constant problem-solving requires a comprehensive approach and discipline. If a program doesn’t work as intended when you run it, you need to check the code and figure out why it happened. Step-by-step analysis allows you to trace its logic and calculate the error. A simple missed colon or typo can cause the whole program to fail: this teaches young programmers to be orderly and attentive.
In addition to the ability to find solutions to problems, another useful aspect of programming is the ability to avoid potential problems. This includes the ability to create code that takes as little memory and time to write as possible. Brevity and simplicity are important principles that can be transferred to other areas of life.
Programming helps you understand the computer
Today’s children are surrounded by technology from the very beginning of life. But just learning how to use them is not the same as understanding how they work.
Programming helps to understand the essence of technology. In the process of self-writing code, children learn how apps, websites, and any other programs are structured. This will help them not only to learn how to identify poor quality code, but also to better understand the world around them: for what exact reasons this or that device doesn’t work and what is the basis of everyday technology.
Programming is used everywhere
Programming is far from being a specialized skill. A programmer can develop websites, create mobile applications and video games. But developers are in much more demand than it might seem at first glance. A variety of software is used in areas such as social networking, banking, streaming television, cars, smart home gadgets and online shopping. The ability to write code opens the door to all areas of human activity.
Programming teaches you to work in teams and learn from others
At some point all developers have to copy someone else’s code. And this is even considered good practice: there is no point in reinventing the wheel if the desired task has already been qualitatively implemented by others.
This teaches children not only to find where to ask for help, but also to adapt the borrowed code to their tasks. And doing this can be just as difficult as writing code from scratch.
In a working environment, development is usually not done alone, but in a team, with participants constantly interacting with colleagues and using each other’s code. Working together on a school project will teach children to understand how their work affects others in the team and how to find common ground with those around them.
Programming unlocks creativity
All people feel the need for self-actualization. At the end of a hard day at work or school, there is nothing better than doing something you really love.
Even children who are unenthusiastic about other forms of creative activity can generate truly impressive ideas. Children vitally need to create, and by learning to write code, they can create their own games, websites, and other projects.
Programming expands employment opportunities
Programmers today are in high demand in the labor market.Even if a child does not want to build a career in programming, basic development skills will be useful to him in life.
Just like knowledge of a foreign language, knowledge of the basics of programming in the digital age is an indicator of the potential employee’s education for the employer. It shows that the candidate is able to think logically and can be a decisive advantage over the competition.
Today’s Kids Learn Quickly
The best time to start learning programming is as a child. Today’s children have no trouble mastering the latest technology, and it helps them a lot to write good code in the future.
For example, the well-known game Minecraft allows children to develop thinking and design skills while building different houses and structures. You can even learn the Python language with this game.
As long as the child has a lot of free time and his brain easily perceives and absorbs new information, any new knowledge will be absorbed effectively – why not interest him in programming?