to varied sources, the typical wage for Coding jobs is ~£47.5k within the UK, which is ~35% greater than the median wage of about £35k.
So, coding is a really useful ability that can earn you extra money, to not point out it’s actually enjoyable.
I’ve been coding professionally now for 4 years, working as a knowledge scientist and machine studying engineer and on this publish, I’ll clarify how I’d be taught to code if I needed to do it once more.
My journey
I nonetheless bear in mind the time I wrote my first little bit of code.
It was 9am on the primary day of my physics undergrad, and we have been within the pc lab.
The professor defined that computation is an integral a part of trendy physics because it permits us to run large-scale simulations of every little thing from subatomic particle collisions to the motion of galaxies.
It sounded superb.
And the way in which we began this course of was by going by a textbook to be taught Fortran.
Sure, you heard that proper.
My first programming language was Fortran, particularly Fortran 90.
I realized DO loops earlier than FOR loops. I’m undoubtedly a rarity on this case.
In that first lab session, I bear in mind writing “Hi there World” as is the standard ceremony of passage and considering, “Large woop.”
That is the way you write “Hi there World” in Fortran in case you have an interest.
program hey
print *, 'Hi there World!'
finish program heyI truly actually struggled to code in Fortran and didn’t try this nicely on assessments we had, which put me off coding.
I nonetheless have some previous coding initiatives in Fortran on my GitHub which you can take a look at.
Trying again, the training curve to coding is sort of steep, however it actually does compound, and ultimately, it would simply click on.
I didn’t realise this on the time and actively averted programming modules in my physics diploma, which I remorse in hindsight as my progress would have been a lot faster.
Throughout my third yr, I needed to do a analysis placement as a part of my grasp’s. The corporate I selected to work for/with used a graphical programming language known as LabVIEW to run and handle their experiments.
LabVIEW relies on one thing known as “G” and taught me to think about programming otherwise than script-based.
Nevertheless, I haven’t used it since and doubtless by no means will, however it was cool to be taught then.
I did benefit from the analysis yr considerably, however the tempo at which analysis strikes, at the very least in physics, is painfully sluggish. Nothing just like the “heyday” from the early twentieth century I envisioned.
At some point after work a video was advisable to me on my YouTube residence web page.
For these of you unaware, this was a documentary about DeepMind’s AI AlphaGo that beat the very best GO participant on the earth. Most individuals thought that an AI might by no means be good at GO.
From the video, I began to grasp how AI labored and find out about neural networks, reinforcement studying, and deep studying.
I discovered all of it so fascinating, much like physics analysis within the early twentieth century.
In the end, that is once I began learning for a profession in Information Science and machine studying, the place I wanted to show myself Python and SQL.
That is the place I so-called “fell in love” with coding.
I noticed its actual potential in truly fixing issues, however the primary factor was that I had a motivated cause to be taught. I used to be learning to interrupt right into a profession I needed to be in, which actually drove me.
I then turned a knowledge scientist for 3 years and am now a Machine Studying engineer. Throughout this time, I labored extensively with Python and SQL.
Till a couple of months in the past, these have been the one programming languages I knew. I did be taught different instruments, similar to bash/z-shell, AWS, docker, knowledge bricks, snowflake, and so forth. however not another “correct” programming languages.
In my spare time, I dabbled a bit with C a few years in the past, however I’ve forgotten nearly all of it now. I’ve some primary scripts on my GitHub in case you are .
Nevertheless, in my new position that I began a few months in the past, I can be utilizing Rust and GO, which I’m very a lot wanting ahead to studying.
In case you are focused on my total journey to changing into a knowledge scientist and machine studying engineer, you may examine it beneath:
Select a language
I at all times suggest beginning with a single language.
In response to TestGorilla, there are over 8,000 programming languages, so how do you decide one?
Properly, I’d argue that many of those are ineffective for many jobs and have most likely been developed as pet initiatives or for actually area of interest circumstances.
You may select your first language based mostly on recognition. The Stack Overflow 2024 survey has nice info on this. The most well-liked languages are JavaScript, Python, SQL, and Java.
Nevertheless, the way in which I like to recommend you select your first language needs to be based mostly on what you need to do or work as.
- Entrance-end net — JavaScript, HTML, CSS
- Again-end net — Java, C#, Python, PHP or GO
- iOS/macOS apps — Swift
- Andriod apps — Kotlin or Java
- Video games — C++ or C
- Embedded Techniques — C or C++
- Information science/machine studying / AI — Python and SQL
As I needed to work within the AI/ML house, I centered my power primarily on Python and a few on SQL. It was most likely a 90% / 10% cut up as SQL is smaller and simpler to be taught.
To this present day, I nonetheless solely know Python and SQL to a “skilled” normal, however that’s advantageous, as just about the entire machine-learning neighborhood requires these languages.
This reveals that you simply don’t must know many languages; I’ve progressed fairly far in my profession, solely figuring out two to a major depth. After all, it might fluctuate by sector, however the primary level nonetheless stands.
So, decide a discipline you need to enter and select essentially the most in-demand and related language in that discipline.
Study the naked minimal
The most important mistake I see newcomers make is getting caught in “tutorial hell.”
That is the place you are taking course after course however by no means department out by yourself.
I like to recommend taking a most of two programs on a language — actually any intro course would do — after which beginning to construct instantly.
And I actually imply, construct your personal initiatives and expertise the wrestle as a result of that’s the place studying is finished.
You received’t know the way to write capabilities till you do it your self, you received’t know the way to create lessons till you do it your self, and also you actually received’t perceive loops till you implement them your self.
So, be taught the naked minimal and instantly begin experimenting; I promise it would at the very least 2x your studying curve.
You most likely have heard this recommendation so much, however in actuality it’s that easy.
I at all times say that almost all issues in life are easy however arduous to do, particularly in programming.
Keep away from traits
After I say keep away from traits, I don’t imply to not concentrate on areas which can be doing nicely or in demand out there.
What I’m saying is that while you decide a sure language or specialism, keep it up.
Programming languages all share comparable ideas and patterns, so while you be taught one, you not directly enhance your means to select up one other later.
However you continue to ought to concentrate on one language for at the very least a couple of months.
Don’t develop “shiny object syndrome” and chase the most recent applied sciences; it’s a sport that you’ll sadly lose.
There have been so many “distracting” applied sciences, similar to blockchain, Web3, AI, the record goes on.
As a substitute, concentrate on the basics:
- Information sorts
- Design patterns
- Object-oriented programming
- Information constructions and algorithms
- Drawback-solving expertise
These subjects transcend particular person programming languages and are a lot better to grasp than the most recent Javascript framework!
It’s a lot better to have a robust understanding of 1 space than attempt to be taught every little thing. Not solely is that this extra manageable, however it is usually higher to your long-term profession.
As I stated earlier, I’ve progressed fairly nicely in my profession by solely figuring out Python and SQL, as I realized the required applied sciences for the sector and didn’t get distracted.
I can’t stress how a lot leverage you’ll have in your profession in case you doc your studying publicly.
Doc your studying
I don’t know why extra individuals don’t do that. Sharing what I’ve realized on-line has been the largest sport changer for my profession.
Actually committing your code on GitHub is sufficient, however I actually suggest posting on LinkedIn or X, and ideally, it’s best to create weblog posts that will help you cement your understanding and exhibit you information to employers.
After I interview candidates, if they’ve some type of on-line presence exhibiting their learnings, that’s instantly a tick in my field and an additional edge over different candidates.
It reveals enthusiasm and fervour, to not point out rising your floor space of serendipity.
I do know many individuals are scared to do that, however you’re affected by the highlight impact. Wikipedia defines this as:
The highlight impact is the psychological phenomenon by which individuals are likely to consider they’re being observed greater than they actually are.
Nobody actually cares in case you publish on-line or take into consideration you as a lot as 1% as you assume.
So, begin posting.
What about AI?
I might spend hours discussing why AI just isn’t a right away danger for anybody who needs to work within the coding occupation.
You need to embrace AI as a part of your toolkit, however that’s so far as it would go, and it’ll undoubtedly not substitute programmers in 5 years.
Until an AGI breakthrough abruptly happens within the subsequent decade, which is extremely unlikely.
I personally doubt the reply to AGI is the cross-entropy loss operate, which is what’s utilized in most LLMs these days.
It has been proven time and time once more that these AI fashions lack sturdy mathematical reasoning skills, which is among the most elementary expertise to being coder.
Even the so-called “software program engineer killer” Devin is not nearly as good because the creators initially marketed it.
Most corporations are merely making an attempt to spice up their funding by hyping AI, and their outcomes are sometimes over-exaggerated with controversial benchmark testing.
After I was constructing an internet site, ChatGPT even struggled with easy HTML and CSS, which you’ll be able to argue is its bread and butter!
General, don’t fear about AI if you wish to work as a coder; there may be a lot, a lot larger fish to fry earlier than we cross that bridge!
NeetCode has achieved an amazing video explaining how present AI is incapable of changing programmers.
One other factor!
Be a part of my free publication, Dishing the Information, the place I share weekly suggestions, insights, and recommendation from my expertise as a training knowledge scientist. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll get my FREE Information Science Resume Template!
