Want to add an exciting and helpful skill to your resume that you can teach yourself?

Coding and programming are not only extraordinarily useful, but they can also be fun! You can learn to code by yourself. Read on to find out how.

Choose a Language

Computer programming is done as essentially a set of written instructions that the computer follows. These instructions can be written in a number of different “languages,” which are really just different ways of organizing the instructions and text. Different languages tend to be used to create different types of programs, so choose one that you feel is relevant to what you want to do. Here are just a few examples of different programming languages and what they are primarily used for.

C, C++, C#

These languages are mainly used for creating computer programs. C and C++ are easy and good beginner languages but C# is becoming much more common.

Java or JavaScript

These are good languages to learn if you want to work on making web plug-ins or mobile apps. With the increased use of smartphones and tablets, this is very much in demand right now.

Python

Because Python is a very versatile language used widely across several platforms and said to be easy for beginners to learn, it’s worth learning.

Learn Online

There are a ton of free online resources that can teach you the basics of coding. You can learn during your free time from anywhere in the world and work at your own pace.

Code.org

This non-profit organization aims to encourage people, particularly school students in the United States, to learn computer science. The website includes free coding lessons that feel like fun games.

Codecademy

Codecademy offers lessons in six different programming languages. The site offers feedback, badges for completing exercises, and a function that keeps track of a user’s total score and total day streak. The site also provides a forum where enthusiasts, beginners, and advanced coders can come together and help each other.

CodeHS

Students on the site practice computer science concepts and programming skills by giving commands to a dog named Karel. Karel the dog must complete various tasks by moving around a grid world, and putting down and picking up tennis balls using only simple commands. Later learning modules teach more advanced concepts using languages like Java, JavaScript, and HTML.

Practice Your Skills & Keep Learning

Once you have the basics down, you can start toying with creating websites or apps. To be a good programmer you have to keep up with changing technology, so continue to keep up to date on new languages and paradigms. Who knows? You just might create the next addicting game or helpful website!