5 Misconceptions About Learning Programming that you should know

Want to make a career in programming but think you’re not (and never will be) cut out for the job? Do you think that this career path is only meant for geeks or mathematics experts? No, you are wrong! Ironically, there are many misconceptions and myths that surround the art of programming. Don’t let a few misleading ideas keep you from learning a new skill which is fast becoming the most important skill of the century.

In this article, we are going to debunk those myths and misconceptions, so that anyone who wants to learn new skills or make a career or earn more money can move more swiftly toward a job in this industry. Here’s the truth behind 5 top common myths about becoming a developer.

1. I Have to Be a Math Whiz To Learn Programming Languages

People often misunderstand the relationship between mathematics and programming. In reality, developers are just ordinary people who simply have a passion for programming. Also, a programmer writes codes and not math formulas, and the knowledge in math is not directly proportional to one’s programming skill. All you need to know is basic algebra, logic, strong problem-solving skills, and most of all, have patience. Besides, there are libraries and plugins, which you can apply directly into your code to help you solve mathematical and algorithmic problems. Finally, like any other profession, talent only gets people so far, as work ethic and discipline truly determine success or failure.

2. I Must Learn Only The Best Language

A common question that a beginner asks is, “What is the best language to learn?” While it may sound like a good question, it can also be misleading. The answer to the question would that the best language for you to learn is the one that fits your current purpose, either for work or study. In other words, there is no best programming language as such, it depends on what you want to do with it.

For instance, if you want to be a web developer, start with HTML and CSS, which are the foundational languages of the web. If you are more interested in general computer programming, then concentrate on languages that have a lot of online documentation and tutorials to supplement your learning. Always remember, as your learning progresses, the strengths and weaknesses of each language will uncover themselves. Based on the language’s speed, exclusive features, compatibility, maintainability, etc., decide your tools of choice.

3. I Should Memorize All Syntax And Avoid Help

The common thinking is that if you write a program without external guidance, you can memorize everything and become a true pro that can build anything from scratch. However, the fact is that you do not need to worry about memorizing syntax, as writing the same code thousands of times before you can flip the table will help you create a framework yourself. Google, IDE and Frameworks are not created out of boredom – they are particularly designed to help you pick up programming faster. The best practice is to use IDE with syntax recommendation and, whenever you run into trouble consult the Google crystal ball. Adopting frameworks help you understand what that programming language does, and what boundaries it can be pushed to. Then when you have progressed enough, experiment with specific programming features. Explore and have fun messing up.

4. I Just Can’t Write That Much Code

Are you one of those people who are just too scared to view a web page source? You can bet that an enormous 4000 lines of code can be quite overwhelming. However, HTML is not a programming language, it is just a mark-up language. It sets up a structure for the web using tags that allow you to mark-up your content. Its content very much reveals what every code file contains in general. A closer look at it will reveal that they are just piles of code containing repetitive statements, methods and loops. Mostly, programming use the same material that you learn as a beginner and in intermediate courses to do solve simple and complicated solutions. Once you start coding, you will feel that even 10,000 lines of code is nothing and get addictive to it very quickly.

5. It Only Takes Weeks To Learn And Master A Programming Language

Don’t believe this tagline. In reality, you can spend weeks to learn programming, but it takes years to master programming. Like drawing, programming requires an interest and patience. Similarly, many of the things you create at first may be of little use. However, just remember to take one step at a time if are moving forward. To become a good programmer, you should feel very good every time you fail, because that’s the only way you can progress.

Remember coding is like a art which can be perfected only with perseverance. Like there are no shortcuts in life, learning programming also doesn't have shortcuts. You have to keep on doing it till you get it right.