Welcome to the world of code. You’re about to learn a really valuable skill – congrats! Learning how to program can be exciting but also very intimidating. As a new developer, you might find yourself seeking for guidance and support. And let me tell you one thing upfront: we’ve all been there, it’s absolutely okay. I was a newbie once too and after being in the IT field for quite some years, I thought I will compile a list with tips for new developers and things I wish I’d have known when I started out. So, buckle up and enjoy the programming journey!

01. Ask questions

Keep in mind that no one knows all there is from day one, so don’t ever be afraid to ask questions or ask for guidance. If you’re looking for some consistency, you could also look for a mentor that you could contact for more in-depth topics.

02. Break down problems into smaller ones 

Programming is solving problems but sometimes a problem can seem huge. It’s important to take a step back and break down the main problem into smaller pieces. It makes working on the solution easier and gives your program some kind of structure. 

03. Pseudocode

Sometimes it can be beneficial to write down in words what you’re trying to do with your code. That’s called pseudo coding and it can help make problem solving easier when you have all your thoughts and necessary steps on paper right in front of you. 

04. Don’t be scared to be a beginner

That’s not just with coding, but with any new skill you want to learn. Sometimes when you just start out something, you’re bad at it. Keep in mind that this is an absolute normal thing and don’t let any failures discourage you from doing it. 

05. Identify your learning style

Try different forms of learning and figure out which one is the best for you. Do you prefer reading documentations or watching video tutorials? Just start out with what sounds best for you and if you realize after a while that this might not be the best way for you to learn, then try to switch it up.

06. You don’t need to know everything

It’s impossible to know it all. Don’t worry about learning everything at all, focus on your progress and take it step by step and expand your knowledge about your chosen programming language. 

07. Build your own projects

The best way to learn programming is to write up your own programs. I mean, that’s what we’re here for, right? Start with little projects and expand their functionality. If you’re unsure on where to start or what to build, download my „50 programming challenges“ PDF here for free.

08. Find a community

Having a community that supports you and shares their knowledge and resources is such a valuable thing to have. Finding a community of people in the field and people that are just starting out with learning how to program, is a great way of expanding your network and also your knowledge. A good platform for tech is Twitter (X) – there are a lot of developers that are surely happy to have discussions about certain programming topics as well as supporting you, when you need help.

09. Use free resources

There are so many resources out there to learn programming. And those are for free! Identify how you prefer to learn coding and start right away. Some people prefer YouTube videos to follow along, while other  people prefer to read tutorials or documentations and follow them at their own pace.

10. Don’t compare yourself with other programmers

Don’t fall into the trap of comparison. The journey of learning new skills looks differently for everyone. Enjoy finding new ways for solving issues and don’t be too hard on yourself when a certain topic takes you a bit longer to understand and implement. Focus on your progress and celebrate successes!