How To Create Computer Games Without Programming Skills

Are There Basic Tips for Computer Programming Beginners?

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With more and more people getting into computer programming, more and more people are getting stuck. Programming can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be off-putting. Here are 10 top tips for beginners just starting to learn computer programming in Java, Python or any other language.

Do One Thing at a Time

Computer programming can be hard enough without juggling many different tasks at once. It's best to focus on just one problem at a time. This is especially important given the interrelatedness of programming elements.

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Experiment

Playing around with the code just to see what happens is a crucial part of learning to program. Don't be afraid to create a zillion little programs that you never plan to use again. These can help you play with and understand new concepts as you learn them.

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Spend Time Learning the Basics

Yes, the computer programming basics can be tedious, especially when you want to advance. But they are necessary for long-term success. It really pays to spend the time learning them. After all, every programmer has to start somewhere.

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Don't Aim for Perfection

Here's a little trade secret: Most programmers are satisfied with 80 percent completion. Only the most sophisticated projects need to be 100 percent perfect. Often 20 percent of your code won't be used, so it's just a waste of time getting hung up on it.

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Know How to Google

Given some of the obscure things you might find yourself looking up as a programmer, it pays to know how to Google. It's best to know exactly how to find what you're looking for, and you can do this by understanding the programming behind Google.

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Ask for Help

The worldwide programming community is huge and helpful, full of programmers who were once in your shoes. So ask for help when you need it, knowing that before long you'll probably be helping others in return.

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Code by Hand

If you want a job in IT computer programming, you'll probably need to code by hand, that is, with a pen and paper. Your ability to do so will often be tested, because it's widely considered to be the most reliable way of gauging a programmer's skill. But even if you're not going for a job, practicing coding by hand can be a useful learning experience.

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Prepare to Fail

If people never made mistakes, pencils wouldn't have erasers. Likewise, if programs never failed, we'd have no need for programmers (or so many of them anyway). There will always be bugs to work through; this is just part of the trade. So prepare to fail, and use each failure as a learning experience.

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Don't Give Up

Don't expect to get things right the first time. Every programmer has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, so what you might find difficult another might find easy and vice versa. The key is to keep persevering.

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Take Breaks!

If you find yourself staring at the screen in confusion, having spent hours and hours working on the same problem, then it's probably time to take a break. Give yourself a few hours, or a night, away from the screen. And when you return, you might find the solution to be more obvious.