Productivity, when it comes to programming, can be misleading. While veteran programmers refer to productivity as achieving more with a few lines of codes, performance freaks define it as abusing the computing abilities to get more done. Regardless of your point of view, writing a fast and efficient code improves the functionality, time, and complexity of the code. Achieving great productivity can be an uphill task for beginner coders, especially since learning programming is quite a struggle. Nonetheless, take advantage of the following tips to become a productive coder and help you land that job as a web developer or cybersecurity professional.
Start with the Basics
Most people often spend less time learning the basics or skip the fundamentals when learning a new topic and coding learners are no different. While this may work in other areas, learning the fundamentals of computer programming is overly important as it forms the basis of coding. Without the basics, you will find yourself stuck at higher levels, necessitating that you get back to learning the basic material. For this, you can sign up to coding education sites that provide starter-programming courses, such as Codecademy and FreeCodeCamp.
Code By Hand
Advancing technology has led to the development of thin computer monitors, light hard drives, and powerful programming languages. However, learning to code by hand remains one of the effective ways of learning how to code. Coding by hand sharpens your coding proficiency, which is key to becoming a productive coder. Unlike coding with computers, coding by hand on paper or whiteboards ensures utmost caution, precision, and you will have intent behind every code.
Unlike computers with auto-check functionality that enables programmers to check the written code, you can’t run a test midway to check if the code is correct. While using hands can be time-consuming, the restrictions mold you into a fundamental programmer while learning and working on projects.
Play with Codes
It is impossible to become a productive coder if you can’t think outside the box. You shouldn’t be stuck at coding exactly as you learned. Try experimenting by making some changes in the code to see the result. Through this, you can learn how the end result changes when you alter the initial code. However, this doesn’t mean that you change the entire program. Doing this will give you unmatched confidence in exploring your skills and determining how specific changes can affect the desired output.
That aside, you shouldn’t just read the sample code and leave it at that. Try tinkering around with it. Reading a sample code doesn’t translate to a proper understanding of how the code will work. While sample codes are packaged with comments and instructions, replicating from scratch is quite difficult. Tinkering with the code will ease the learning process and develop your coding skills.
Ask for Help
While it feels good to accomplish some coding projects by yourself, people learn faster with feedback and mentors. As such, you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out for help, either in-person or online. Most programmers love coding and will certainly love sharing their knowledge with other enthusiastic programmers. What might seem challenging to you or a bug that appears immovable can be corrected with ease by the second pair of eyes or a new interpretation of the code.
Keep Practicing
The adage that practice makes perfect holds a lot of truth in the coding space. With programming, practicing is critical since the first learning exposure to coding is through books and theoretical methods. Therefore, you should spend more time with your computer to practice more and notch your coding skills.
Pick a favorable project and start working on it. Coding experts recommend that you choose personal projects to practice your coding skills. With more practice, you will feel confident handling bigger and complex coding projects.
Take Breaks
Coding is certainly exciting but exhausting. As a programmer, you might spend several hours finding a solution and debugging errors, which can affect your sleep and meal schedules. That aside, you have no guarantee that you will successfully fix the bug. Therefore, it is good to step away from your computer for some hours to refresh and get a fresh perspective of the code sequence. Fortunately, there are several ways you can achieve this.
While others prefer mindful exercises such as yoga and meditation, other programmers suggest taking a walk and enjoying fresh, cool air. While this doesn’t guarantee that you will solve the problem, you will save yourself from unnecessary headaches. You will also become more productive after such breaks.
Boost Your Coding Productivity with Simple Steps
Programming involves a lot of creativity, though the creative abilities remain hidden from public view. Coding can be a slow process for beginner developers. If you feel like your skills could use a boost, consider taking an online class. These range widely in price, so be sure to check out the discounts available before you shop. Ask your employer if they’d be willing to cover the costs, or, if you’re in the military, check out the available G.I Bill benefits.
