The basics of programming for beginners. Learn to program from scratch - a step-by-step guide for beginners

The most popular service in the field of teaching coding from scratch with several significant rounds of funding. Known for being completely free and created specifically for those who do not understand anything in programming. Teaches the basics of working with JavaScript, HTML and CSS, Python and Ruby. The training takes place in the form of short exercises with simple tasks and instructions. The user writes the code and immediately sees the result of his actions.

For additional motivation, Codecademy came up with a system of incentive badges for completing a task, passing a section or passing tests. The service closely monitors progress and consistently builds a course of study, suggesting which topics need to be studied further. Also, anyone can make their own course or write several exercises for other users. The most popular course is called Code Year - after completing it, you can learn how to make websites or games.

If Codecademy takes a minimalistic approach to learning, then Code School loves to fantasize and experiment. The most interesting thing they have is not basic lessons in Ruby, JavaScript, HTML / CSS and iOS, but continuation courses such as Rails for Zombies. Company credo - Learn by Doing ("Learn by doing"). Instead of boring abstract tasks, they offer users to program what they are interested in, such as zombie games.

All basic courses are organized in five levels, each of which starts with 15-minute instructional videos. Then the exercises follow, in the course of which you can immediately get feedback and see your results. For example, in the course for creating applications for the iPhone there is an emulator that shows how the code will look on the screen of the gadget. Here, too, it was not without gamification: you need to earn points and get badges.

Treehouse focuses on instructional videos. Even if you are not ready for a full course on creating a website, an application for iPhone or Android, but just want to get basic knowledge of what the Internet is and how it works, you should subscribe to them. channel on YouTube. For those who decide to start learning Ruby on Rails, PHP and other programming languages, the site has over 1,000 video tutorials. They are organized into courses on web design, programming, technology entrepreneurship, and more.

The videos are constantly updated so that the courses do not become obsolete. After each video, practical tasks, interactive quizzes are given. At the end of each course, you will have a small project ready. After that, the service will tell you what to study next. The site has a good user forum, you can get feedback from experts, participate in master classes. The only drawback is that the training costs money, from $ 250 to $ 490 per year. Treehouse has a great free sister project for those who have already learned a thing or two - Code Racer. There you need to code for speed, competing with the enemy. In the process, you can interfere with him in every possible way: for example, throw pictures of cats on his screen.

If studying alone is not for you, you can take online courses with other beginners on Coursera, Udacity and other specialized sites that we have already covered. The advantage of such courses is that you have, though remote, but a teacher, and a certain pace of learning that does not allow you to relax. The Introduction to Computer Science course (on video) is very popular with beginners. Udacity, created on the basis of Stanford University, is good because it provides university courses completely free of charge in a form adapted for distance learning. There is a difficulty scale next to each course. After completing the zero-difficulty course, you are expected to be ready for the rest of the language-specific courses. Coursera also has a lot of courses for beginner programmers, for example, this one dedicated to Python, and this one is about creating creative mobile applications.

If you suppress your pride and admit that all of the above courses are still too difficult, you can start with those designed specifically for children. For example, the iPad and iPhone app Move the Turtle. This is a game that teaches programming through small tasks, each of which makes the turtle move. Alice, created at Carnegie Mellon University, teaches the creation of moving 3D heroes, while giving the basics of C ++ and Java. Hackety Hack is an app that teaches the basics of Ruby. Unlike the previous ones, it does this not through pictures, but through specific language commands. But, of course, the best thing for kids is robots, programmed to carry out simple commands that first need to be written in computer code. One of these is the Sparki robot, which raised money on Kickstarter. You can pre-order, and it will cost only $ 100.

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• Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, Node.js, React.js and others.
• English language.

The freeCodeCamp program consistently teaches the user all the basic aspects of web programming, from basic concepts to complex development techniques. At the beginning of each lesson, you read the theory, then put it into practice: write the code in a special editor, and the system checks you. If difficulties arise, you can discuss them with other students in the forum.

At the end of the theoretical modules, you are shown projects that you should use to create your own web applications. Development results must be published on the resource, after which they can be evaluated by other users.

In addition, freeCodeCamp helps students get together and collaborate on real non-profit projects. This is a good chance to gain valuable development experience and portfolio needed for employment.

2. Codecademy

• Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Angular.js, React.js, Python, Ruby and others.
• Cost: free or from $ 20 per month for additional content.
• English language.
• Difficulty level: easy-medium.

Like the previous resource, Codecademy focuses on learning web programming. You read the theory and then complete the tasks in an interactive code editor. The user is provided with separate courses on different technologies. The bulk of each of them is available for free, but verification tests and project development tasks are opened after subscribing.

Codecademy also has comprehensive, paid programs that organize and combine materials from different courses. For example, Build Websites from Scratch teaches you step by step how to develop a simple website from scratch using various technologies.

3. Coursera

• Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Angular.js, Java, Python, Ruby, Swift and others.
• Cost: free or from $ 49 per month for additional content.
• Language: English, Russian and others.
• Difficulty level: all levels.

Coursera offers a variety of courses in a variety of programming languages \u200b\u200bfrom the world's leading universities. Here you can learn not only web development, but also the creation of mobile and desktop programs. Some courses are self-contained, but most are bundled into specializations - sets of related courses.

You can view the theoretical material presented by texts and videos for free. But most of the test and practice tasks that require verification by a teacher or other users are available only with a paid subscription.

4.edX

• Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, Python, Ruby and others.
• Cost: free or from $ 49 per month for a certificate.
• Language: English and others.
• Difficulty level: all levels.

On edX, you can access courses from renowned companies and universities. Among them is, for example, the famous introduction to beginner programmers, Introduction to Computer Science from Harvard University. Educational content is presented mainly by video lectures and texts. Some courses contain tests and other interactive activities.

The platform does not ask for money for passing most of the materials. But you can only get a certificate confirming the successful completion of a particular course for money.

5. INTUIT

• Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, algorithms and databases, C #, Java, Python, Ruby, and others.
• Cost: free of charge or from 500 rubles per month for the services of a tutor.
• Russian language.
• Difficulty level: all levels.

The catalog of the educational platform "INTUIT" contains text and video courses from Russian educational institutions and international IT companies. The content of the site covers all the main areas of programming from website development to the creation of desktop programs. Self-study is free, but there is a paid service in which the user is assisted by a personal tutor.

6. Stepik

• Technologies: JavaScript, C #, neural networks, C ++ and others.
• Cost: completely free.
• Language: Russian, English.
• Difficulty level: easy-medium.

Another non-profit platform, courses for which are created by Russian companies and universities. Although there is not a lot of material on specific programming languages \u200b\u200bon Stepik, here you can learn fundamental knowledge of mathematics and the theory of algorithms that will be useful to every developer.

7. Modern Javascript Tutorial

• Technologies: JavaScript and others.
• Cost: free or from 6,500 rubles for an additional course.
• Russian language.
• Difficulty level: all levels.

This resource is dedicated to the JavaScript language and related web technologies. Here you will find a very detailed, well-structured and easy-to-understand text-based JS course. Tasks after each topic will help to consolidate the knowledge gained. At the same time, the material is purely theoretical and does not teach the creation of projects in practice.

You can study the textbook on your own for free or pay for advanced courses that include learning JavaScript itself or related technologies with a teacher.

The economy and our whole life every day is becoming more and more digital and the labor market requires more and more skilled craftsmen to build websites and software products. The country needs programmers and developers, companies are ready to pay decent salaries to smart specialists and create the most comfortable conditions for their work, including flexible hours and the ability to work remotely.

Read my personal rating of the 10 best online courses for beginners to learn the basics of web programming languages \u200b\u200bfrom scratch to the first internships and initial employment in well-known Russian IT companies. They are available in Russian, including for schoolchildren and adolescents. Here are courses on the most popular languages \u200b\u200bfrom HTML and CSS to 1C, PHP, Java, Python, Ruby and C #. Those who read the article to the end will receive links to free courses and intensive programming :)

1. Python for Web Developers from SkillFactory

Data Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are the hottest technology trends in recent years. Those who want to become a programmer in the first place should take a closer look at mastering a language like Python, since it is most widely used in these areas.

SkillFactory together with Igor Bosyagin, R&D programmer at Lamoda will help you master the basics of Python programming, the Django framework and develop the first applications in 6 months. A party with useful acquaintances, an exam at the end of the course, a certificate, as well as help with internships and employment are waiting for you. Training on the course is available from anywhere in the world.

The cost of the course is from 33,900 to 48,900, depending on the date of booking a place on the course and the number of available places. As a reader of the blog site, you can get a 10% discount by telling the manager the code word igaryoh after completing the application. Read the details of the program and sign up for the course here.

Employment Guaranteed Programming Courses

1. I am a PRO Web Developer by Skillbox

A massive two-year development training program that can be compared to a master's degree. Here you will consistently go from learning the basics of programming to the most interesting specializations for you personally. Online classes are combined with offline meetings with the strongest teachers and advice on employment, as well as excursions to top companies. The most interesting thing is that if you do not have money for training, then you can enter the profession for free, and start paying for the course after getting a high-paying job. Find out more and sign up for a course here.

2. Skillbox Frontend Profession

A six-month course packed with practice will make you a specialist in website and web application development. You will learn how to independently create various online resources and services, such as Facebook, Vkontakte, Yandex, Google, etc. This knowledge will be relevant for both a remote worker and a freelancer.Details and registration at this link.

3. The profession of PHP developer from scratch to PRO from Skillbox

PHP is one of the most popular programming languages. With its help, many online stores and sites have been created, including this one. There is no need to talk about the demand for PHP specialists.

During the course, you will get acquainted with the basic concepts of programming, learn how to write clean, structured and, most importantly, working code, master popular tools under the guidance of a mentor.

You can get acquainted with the link.

4. The profession of Java developer from 0 to PRO from Skillbox

Java programs are used by more than 3 billion devices in the world, now it is the most popular programming language. A wide variety of projects are created on it: from modern technologies to scientific projects, from mobile applications to neural networks. Java web developer earns at least 90 thousand rubles, and on average - 120 thousand rubles.

Find out the details and sign up .

5. Skillbox Python developer profession

If you still do not know in what area to start your career as a programmer, you will not go wrong by choosing Python. This general-purpose programming language can be used in almost any field, be it websites, applications, databases, games, life support systems, scientific projects or even the creation of artificial intelligence.

In this course, learning starts from the very basics, and the whole process is gamified.You can register for the program.

6. Profession 1C developer from Skillbox

Domestic programming language, completely in Russian. Programs written in 1C are used in most Russian companies, which are relevant to accounting for personnel, inventory and standardization of document flow. Expected graduate salary: from 80 thousand rubles.

Read the details .

7. Skillbox game developer profession

Today games have become a constant companion of man, and have long gone beyond the sphere of entertainment. Due to the growing need for gamification, gaming software is now in demand almost everywhere.

During the course, you will get acquainted with the main elements of development: study the game landscape, game world design, VR and AR in Unity, 3D graphics, sound effects and music. With this knowledge, you will create your own unique projects.

You can get acquainted with the course bylink.

8. Skillbox iOS developer profession

Now it's hard to imagine life without a smartphone. And you can even say nothing about the popularity of MacBooks and iPhones - everything is clear without words.

This course teaches you how to program applications for Apple products. During your training, you will collect 6 portfolio projects - a great start to your iOS developer career.Read more .

9. Skillbox Android developer profession

Android is by far the most popular operating system for smartphones. The phone is being used more and more, which means mobile developers are becoming more valuable. Large and medium-sized businesses need specialists to implement projects.

On the course, you will master the intricacies of creating applications for this platform, study architectural approaches, popular libraries, Unit and UI testing. Also, upon completion, you will create your application and put it on Google Play.

You can view the landing page .

10. I am a Mobile Developer - PRO by Skillbox

The mobile development front is growing exponentially, as is the demand for app developers.

This two-year course is also comparable in scope to an IT master's degree. Webinars, live meetings, hackathons and challenges from real clients are waiting for you. From scratch to first orders - in just four months.Details.

Other paid courses for programmers from Netology follow this link, and from GeekBrains here.

P. S .: I strongly advise everyone who is looking for programming courses in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Minsk, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnodar and other cities of Russia and the CIS to make a choice in favor of online courses, since it is online technologies that make it possible to create the highest quality educational products at an affordable price (due to the absence of rental costs), as well as connect the best teachers and employers with students and future employees from the regions most remote from the capitals. In addition, the online learning skill is also useful for distance learning in foreign schools.

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The difficulty with working with a programmer is that you cannot figure out what he is doing until it is too late.

Who is this programming course for

This section is for a fairly wide range of readers. For those who want, but do not yet know where to start. For beginner programmers, as well as for those who, probably, do not want to become a professional software developer, but are interested in programming in order to expand their horizons. For those for whom it is not enough just to read about something, but there is still a desire to "get acquainted in person" with everything new, and "turn over in their hands" each new subject. In short, here you are can learn the basics of programming or, as they say, to master programming from scratch. Well, for more or less experienced programmers, I can suggest to get acquainted with the materials of the manual, where basic programming knowledge is needed immediately.

A few words about the programming process

You should not treat programming, at least, as something complex and subject to people with a "special" mindset. A person comes across the basics of programming every day, and I don't even want to give examples, since all this is commonplace. Programming on a computer with use is just a formalized communication with computer technology in order to explain to it what you want from it and to achieve an adequate result from it. Explain clearly, with logic and common sense.

Does it make sense to start learning the basics of programming or has the train left?

Today, the general trend in the development of programming is directed towards, and other approaches to the organization of distributed architectures of software, but the concept itself is invariant in relation to new technologies for developing software products. The entire complex architecture will be written for you by companies that are leaders in the computer technology market. They will then sell the fruits of their labors to you, but you still have to make sense of the decision templates they provide. It is similar to the processes of constructing typical buildings and performing individual repairs in each of them. With this approach, there is practically no difference between the implementations of the same task, which, in one case, should become part of the “desktop application”, in the other, it should be part of a published application, or even work as a separate service within the virtual server infrastructure. Is it difficult to find the difference in the processes of repairing the premises of a panel, brick or monolithic building? There is always enough work for an application programmer.

Creating your own is a very popular and useful business, and a commercial enterprise without any at all is a rarity today. No one needs to be told that more and more non-trivial requirements are being made every day. This is not only about the content of the resource (content), but also about design, usability and other quality characteristics. The better the search engines are about your site, the more visitors come to you from the search results pages. Developers of class software solutions (site templates) offer an ever wider set of tools and themes to make the solutions created on their basis unique, but sometimes it is much easier to figure out the logic of the site on your own. Fortunately, most often such templates are distributed in the form source code, and customize its work to fit your needs, changing several dozen lines in the same, any competent programmer can. It may not be profitable to contact third-party organizations for individual development for your requirements of a separate software product (the site is the same software product) or its configuration. And it is not only unprofitable in terms of money, but also in terms of time, nerves and many more in what parameters ...

Brief description of the proposed course on learning the basics of programming

This programming course contains examples of solving small problems. From those that are found in computer science courses and the basics of programming in high school and in the early years of high schools and to those that beginner programmers may encounter at work. Those interested can gain programming experience not in one programming language, but in two at once - in and. Both of these languages \u200b\u200bare high-level and based on the same software platform. It is proposed to use a free software product that has the minimum sufficient functionality to achieve the goals set by this programming course. Of course, you can also use a professional development environment. Getting started with or knowing the basics of the syntax is much easier than starting from scratch, as their syntax is very similar. To start learning programming in languages \u200b\u200b/, I think, is generally unpromising, because (again, my personal opinion), evolution is not on their side. But, in general, there is no big difference which programming language a beginner to choose, since the principles, approaches and techniques of this craft are the same everywhere.

If I convinced you that acquaintance with the basics of programming and algorithms may be useful for you, then read ... If not, then I suggest you get acquainted with these

Each time, with difficulty overcoming life's barriers, I want to take and reshape this world for myself. Unfortunately, we are not born creators of this universe. Those who want to satisfy their creator's ambitions are left with only the virtual world.

Although for creation here you will need not so much magic and knowledge of runes as knowledge of the basics of programming. Therefore, for all novice virtual reality creators, we will tell you how to learn to program.

What a "teapot" needs to know

As much as I would like to admit it, in reality programming is not so magical. Creating a code can sometimes be compared to walking barefoot on a seabed covered with sharp rock debris.

To become a programmer, you need to be not only smart, but also patient and persistent. Learning to program is always accompanied by headache, red eyes from lack of sleep and a detached look. It is by him that you can easily recognize the programmer.

Many beginners consider coding to be almost the most romantic profession. The number of those wishing to learn programming especially increased after watching the film "The Matrix". It was the protagonist of this picture, Neo, who pushed many to become on the path of comprehending program sciences:

But most of those who start studying give it up after a few weeks. And the main reason for this is the wrong direction of study, methodology or even a programming textbook.

After the collapse of the USSR, all domestic universities for a long time did not even try to reshape their education system to meet the needs of the modern market. Technical universities were no exception to this rule.

Programming as a separate industry and specialization did not exist as such. Its fundamentals were taught only as a link to other engineering disciplines. And even those crumbs of knowledge that were given to students in this area did not meet modern standards and lost their relevance 20-30 years ago.

In the countries of the former USSR, BASIC was the main programming language taught in technical universities.

The situation has not changed dramatically even after 10 years. Only a few educational institutions, sensing the spirit of the new time, at the beginning of the 2000s began to reshape their education to world standards. And only from that moment on, programming began to be perceived as a separate profession and specialization of training:

At the same time, various specialized commercial courses and educational institutions began to appear. But the quality of teaching and the knowledge given in them was at an extremely low level. There was a shortage of competent professionals capable of teaching beginners not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical programming skills.

And this is the most important aspect in the profession of a programmer. Therefore, most of today's gurus of the Russian IT industry started their programming training from scratch on their own.

To some extent, this trend continues to this day. Although in our time the number of professionals involved in teaching has increased significantly.

What language to start learning programming

Comprehension of program sciences is characterized not only by hard learning, but also by its beginning. It is sometimes difficult for a beginner not only to start independent learning, but also to determine the coordinates of the starting point of the process. Therefore, we will try to help you get around all these difficulties:

Before breaking your teeth on the granite of science, you should decide where to start learning programming. In the early stages, it is very difficult to decide on a specialization. So let's start by choosing the first language.

Most often, the choice falls on the C (C) programming language. It is with him that most beginners around the world begin their training. The bulk of programming languages \u200b\u200bwere based on C, and in many ways they inherit its structure and syntax.

By learning C, you learn the basics of not one programming language, but several at once.

Consider the features of this language that make it optimal for learning:

• An easy-to-understand base - some of the built-in language features are moved to separate plug-in libraries for simplicity. These elements include most of the mathematical functions and methods for working with the file system;
• Optimally fitted type system - due to a simple set of data types and strong typing, the risk of making mistakes in the process of writing program code is reduced;
• The focus of C on a procedural type of programming, in which a clear hierarchy of all code elements is observed;
• Accessing machine memory using pointers;
• The minimum number of keywords supported;
• Name scoping support;
• Support for custom data types ( associations and structures).

In simple terms, C is where a beginner should start before learning to program in other languages.

Programs (compilers) for programming

To teach programming, it is not enough just the desire and the presence of a computer with Internet access. To write C programs, you need specialized software - a compiler.

A compiler is a special program that translates program code into a form that a computer can understand.

Here are some specialized compilers with C support:

• Microsoft Visual Studio is a professional tool that supports many languages, including several server-side ones. Suitable for beginners, if you take it "for growth":

• Borland C ++ is a free compiler ideal for the beginner learning. Unlike the previous tool, it has a clear and understandable interface. Therefore, mastering it will not cause any particular difficulties even with independent mastering of the basics of programming:

• Code :: Blocks is a free development environment that supports writing code in multiple languages. An option of average complexity of development:

As for specialized literature, we will not recommend books by certain authors. Here, as they say, choose what your heart desires. Because in most cases, the selection of a programming tutorial is an individual process. Use the source that works best for you.