JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the modern world. It is predominately used for web development, particularly the creation of interactive front-end elements, but it also has some other use cases. JavaScript is undoubtedly one of the best programming languages to learn. You pretty much have to learn JavaScript if you want to work in any sort of web development field.
Unfortunately, learning a new programming language can be very difficult, especially if you don't have a lot of prior experience. Coding concepts can be hard to grasp, and this can make it difficult to get your head around the basics.
Table of Contents
- 1. Start With The Basics
- 2. Download A Code Editor Or Use One Online
- 3. Use A Good Online Course
- 4. Don't Be Afraid To Practice
- 5. Connect With A Mentor
- 6. Make Sure That You Take Plenty Of Notes
- 7. Understand Every Line Of Your Code
- 8. Always Have A Reference Guide Handy
- 9. Find People To Learn JavaScript With
- 10. Make Use Of Different Types Of Resources
- 11. Conclusion
1. Start With The Basics
When you are learning JavaScript - or any other programming language - it's very important to pace yourself at the beginning. Although you might find initial concepts quite simple and straightforward, you need to spend time on the basics so that you have a full understanding of the language you are trying to learn.
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Start with an online course like the Interactive JavaScript Course. Instead of just working through the course and completing the exercises as you go, take comprehensive notes about everything you learn. This will help you retain information, and will prevent you from having trouble as you learn the more complicated syntax and other JavaScript functionalities.
Making sure that you are absorbing all of the basic information when you start to learn JavaScript is very important. If - for some reason - you aren't fully understanding JavaScript basics, you might find that you need to change your approach to learning. Consider adding the following to help you learn the basics more efficiently:
- Buy yourself a notepad or exercise book that you can use solely for JavaScript learning. Take notes as you are learning, and make sure that you understand everything that you're writing down.
- Try and review your notes for five or ten minutes at the start of every session. After doing this a few times, you will find that you are remembering more, that things are coming naturally to you, and that you understand what you're doing!
- Include JavaScript examples in your notes wherever possible. This will help you visualize how a concept or block of code can be used in real-life scenarios.
These are just a few simple steps that can help you remember the JavaScript basics. You could also try things like flashcards, studying with a partner, and testing yourself with coding challenges as you learn.
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2. Download A Code Editor Or Use One Online
Although your course may not require you to use a desktop code editor, it's a very good idea to get used to using one as you learn. Although you can learn JavaScript - and most other programming languages - through online courses that allow you to write code directly in your internet browser window, you will need to be able to use a desktop code editor if you ever want to land a job as a developer.
The Atom code editor is one of the best when it comes to writing high-quality JavaScript code. It is relatively easy to use, it is free, and it offers a range of useful features, including:
- A built-in IDE.
- Compatibility with a range of languages, allowing you to work on many different programs through the same Atom interface.
- Simple Git and GitHub integration.
Downloading the Atom code editor is relatively simple. To begin with, you need to head to the Atom website. Click on the 'download' button near the top of the homepage, and follow your computer's prompts. Although it is relatively straightforward to use, you might benefit from reading the Atom Flight Manual. This document covers everything you need to know about using Atom to write, edit, and organize code.
If you don't want to download anything, BitDegree provides a free online code editor where you can try out various examples of JavaScript and code your own.
and every single line of code that you write, what it does, and how it impacts the rest of your program. The difference between the words "to master" and "to learn JavaScript" is gigantic. Every time you write a program, you need to sit down for a few minutes and make sure that you know what every little bit of code does. If you are unsure about something or don't understand it, go back over your notes, have a look in a language reference guide (more on this in a minute), or ask someone for help.
3. Use A Good Online Course
There are many methods you could choose if you are trying to learn JavaScript. If you are an experienced programmer who already has an in-depth knowledge of coding basics, learning JavaScript - or any other language - should be a relatively easy process. Simply by watching videos, reading tutorials, and practicing writing increasingly complex programs in your code editor. However, it can be a lot more difficult as a beginner with no coding experience. You could attend a coding boot-camp, but this will cost you a lot of money and involves a full-time commitment for at least 3 months (in most cases). Alternatively, you could enroll in a university computer science course. However, this requires an even greater time commitment, and you won't be able to start working as a programmer for at least 3 years if you take this path. Last, but not least, you could use a high-quality online course to guide you. Using an online course has a wide range of benefits over things like boot-camps and university courses. These include things like:
- Many online courses give you the chance to learn JavaScript free - something you could never go through university or intensive courses. You can also apply for scholarships which can help you pay for the fees of JavaScript courses.
- Online courses let you work at your own pace. This is great for people who work during the day and want to spend a few hours a week learning JavaScript. I have developed most of my coding knowledge by spending an hour or two every night working through various online courses.
- In general, online courses are structured to give you the optimal learning experience. If you use them alongside things like reference guides and coding forums, you should be able to learn your chosen languages quickly and efficiently.
If you are looking for an online course to help you learn JavaScript, then you need to have a look at the wide range of courses on the BitDegree platform. Here you will find many great JavaScript courses, including the Interactive JavaScript tutorial, which introduces JavaScript basics in a simple, straightforward manner. Alternatively, get started with the Video JavaScript Tutorial, which looks at simple syntax and some of the things you can do with JavaScript.
4. Don't Be Afraid To Practice
If you want to become a fluent programmer or web developer, then you need to commit yourself. One of the most important parts of the learning process is practice. If you don't practice writing code, then you will never improve. It could be argued that you are wasting your time working through an online course if you aren't willing to put time into practicing your code outside of your course. As noted above, to be able to improve and learn JavaScript, you need to download your code editor. Once you have a code editor, it is very easy to practice writing and editing code. Head over to GitHub and having a look at some of the open-source code available there. Find a piece of code that looks interesting, download it and open it in your code editor, and work through it until you understand what every line of the code does. Another great way to practice writing JavaScript code is by completing 'coding challenges'. A simple Google search will reveal hundreds of such challenges, which are designed for and aimed at people who are learning and who want JavaScript examples that they can work through. Choose something that is aimed at your skill level, practice, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it - but more on that in a moment. Above all, make sure that you remember:
"Perfect practice makes perfect"
No, practice doesn't make perfect - perfect practice does. Make sure that you are following best practices and not getting lazy when you practice writing JavaScript code, otherwise, you will start picking up bad habits.
5. Connect With A Mentor
Now, as any beginner programmer will know, learning to code can be boring, tedious, and downright frustrating at times. It can be hard to stay motivated to learn JavaScript or any other language, and sometimes you will be tempted to just give up. If you feel like this, then it could be time for you to connect with a coding mentor. A mentor is someone willing to help you improve your coding skills, write great programs, and eventually, become a career programmer. If you're lucky, you will be able to find a mentor who is willing to help you for free, but it is equally likely that you will have to pay someone - after all, who wants to work for free? If you are looking for a free mentor, then start getting active on coding forums and chat rooms online. Attend local meetup groups or organized events, and connect with people in the industry - you never know, you might just get lucky! However, if you can't find a free mentor, you will need to pay someone to help you. While this may be out of reach of some people in a financial sense, even an hour or two of mentoring per week can help you come to a better understanding of difficult topics. If you are looking for a coding mentor to learn JavaScript and who you can connect with regularly, head over to Rookie Up and start connecting with potential mentors.
6. Make Sure That You Take Plenty Of Notes
Note-taking is an essential part of learning JavaScript. Even though I have an in-depth knowledge of a range of different programming languages, I still take notes every time I sit down to learn new coding skills. Taking notes allows you to put difficult concepts and ideas into words that you understand. This lets you return to your notes at a later date and can help you understand things that you are having trouble with. Having notes to return to can also help you study and can reinforce your knowledge. The simple act of writing things down can help you remember them. If you want to learn JavaScript, then the first thing you need to do - before you even enroll in a course or start watching 'how to code' videos - is to head down to your local stationery store and buy a notebook. Grab a few different colored pens, a couple of highlighters, and set yourself up for some serious note-taking.
7. Understand Every Line Of Your Code
Sometimes when you are learning JavaScript, it can be easy to write code that you don't fully understand. This is especially true when you are trying to master JavaScript free through online courses which give you comprehensive directions. A lot of people fall into the trap of simply following the directions, writing some code in their code editor, and troubleshooting until it does what it needs to. However, these people don't always understand what they are writing. As a learning programmer, it is extremely important to make sure that you understand every single line of code that you write, what it does, and how it impacts the rest of your program. The difference between the words "to master" and "to learn JavaScript" is gigantic. Every time you write a program, you need to sit down for a few minutes and make sure that you know what every little bit of code does. If you are unsure about something or don't understand it, go back over your notes, have a look in a language reference guide (more on this in a minute), or ask someone for help.
8. Always Have A Reference Guide Handy
When you want to learn JavaScript properly, it is a good idea to have a comprehensive reference guide open nearby. A good reference guide is the BitDegree's JavaScript reference. It covers pretty much everything you will ever need to know, and it provides a range of JavaScript examples that you can use to help you understand difficult concepts. It even covers outdated syntax and conventions that you might come across if you are working with old JavaScript code.
9. Find People To Learn JavaScript With
Learning how to program with JavaScript can be a lonely, boring exercise if you try and do it alone.
One of the best ways to take your journey from novice to master JavaScript programmer - is to find like-minded people and learn alongside them. Studying with other people can be very rewarding.
If you would like to find other like-minded people who are also learning how to code, start your search on Facebook. Look for 'programming', 'coding', or 'web development' groups in your area. If there isn't one, think about starting one!
Alternatively, head over to Meetup.com and search for groups in your local area. If you live in or near a city or major population center, you will find that there is probably already some sort of existing meetup groups for other people who are trying to learn JavaScript, web development, and other types of coding. Join one, head down to their next event, and start connecting with your fellow novice programmers!
10. Make Use Of Different Types Of Resources
When you are learning something as difficult as programming, it is a good idea to make use of as many different resources as you can. Some of the best resources for people learning how to code with JavaScript include:
- Online videos - If you are looking for a more in-depth explanation of a difficult concept or of something that you can't quite get your head around, head over to YouTube. You will almost certainly find a video that clearly explains things, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the concept in question.
- Reference guides - As noted above, reference guides are essential when it comes to learning and using any programming language.
- Other people - There are hundreds of high-quality, active coding forums and chat rooms on the internet. You would be stupid not to take your questions to them, as you will almost certainly find someone who can help you with anything you're struggling with.
- Online courses - If you aren't already enrolled in a free or low-cost online coding course, then now is your chance! Head over and explore some of the courses on the BitDegree platform and learn JavaScript in no-time.
It can be very difficult to start learning a programming language like JavaScript. However, things will be a lot simpler if you make use of the full range of resources available to you.
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Conclusion
Learning a programming language like JavaScript can be hard. If you are serious about becoming a decent programmer and landing your first job, then these tips to learn JavaScript will help you fast track your journey to master JavaScript coder.
Make sure that you practice coding regularly, take high-quality notes when you're learning new concepts, and make use of the full range of resources available to you. Above all, get out there, start coding, and have fun along the way!
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