to numerous sources, the typical wage for Coding jobs is ~£47.5k within the UK, which is ~35% increased than the median wage of about £35k.
So, coding is a really precious 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 study to code if I needed to do it once more.
My journey
I nonetheless keep 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 part 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 via a textbook to study Fortran.
Sure, you heard that proper.
My first programming language was Fortran, particularly Fortran 90.
I discovered DO loops earlier than FOR loops. I’m undoubtedly a rarity on this case.
In that first lab session, I keep in mind writing “Good day World” as is the standard ceremony of passage and pondering, “Massive woop.”
That is the way you write “Good day World” in Fortran in case you have an interest.
program hi there
print *, 'Good day World!'
finish program hi thereI truly actually struggled to code in Fortran and didn’t do this properly on exams we had, which put me off coding.
I nonetheless have some outdated coding initiatives in Fortran on my GitHub that you could try.
Wanting again, the educational curve to coding is sort of steep, but it surely actually does compound, and ultimately, it’ll 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 consider programming in a different way than script-based.
Nevertheless, I haven’t used it since and doubtless by no means will, but it surely was cool to study then.
I did benefit from the analysis yr considerably, however the tempo at which analysis strikes, at the least in physics, is painfully gradual. Nothing just like the “heyday” from the early twentieth century I envisioned.
Sooner or later after work a video was really useful 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 perfect GO participant on this planet. Most individuals thought that an AI may 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, just like physics analysis within the early twentieth century.
Finally, that is after I began learning for a profession in Knowledge 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 principle factor was that I had a motivated cause to study. I used to be learning to interrupt right into a profession I wished 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 number of months in the past, these have been the one programming languages I knew. I did study different instruments, corresponding to bash/z-shell, AWS, docker, information bricks, snowflake, and so on. however not some other “correct” programming languages.
In my spare time, I dabbled a bit with C a few years in the past, however I’ve forgotten just about 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 will likely be utilizing Rust and GO, which I’m very a lot wanting ahead to studying.
In case you are fascinated about my total journey to turning into a knowledge scientist and machine studying engineer, you possibly can examine it under:
Select a language
I at all times advocate beginning with a single language.
In keeping with TestGorilla, there are over 8,000 programming languages, so how do you choose one?
Effectively, I’d argue that many of those are ineffective for many jobs and have in all probability been developed as pet initiatives or for actually area of interest circumstances.
You may select your first language primarily based 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 ought to be primarily based on what you wish 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 Methods — C or C++
- Knowledge science/machine studying / AI — Python and SQL
As I wished to work within the AI/ML house, I targeted my power primarily on Python and a few on SQL. It was in all probability a 90% / 10% break up as SQL is smaller and simpler to study.
To this present day, I nonetheless solely know Python and SQL to a “skilled” commonplace, however that’s high-quality, as just about the entire machine-learning neighborhood requires these languages.
This reveals that you just don’t have to know many languages; I’ve progressed fairly far in my profession, solely realizing two to a big depth. In fact, it could range by sector, however the principle level nonetheless stands.
So, choose a subject you wish to enter and select probably the most in-demand and related language in that subject.
Be taught the naked minimal
The most important mistake I see novices make is getting caught in “tutorial hell.”
That is the place you’re 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 individual initiatives and expertise the battle as a result of that’s the place studying is finished.
You gained’t know how one can write features till you do it your self, you gained’t know how one can create courses till you do it your self, and also you actually gained’t perceive loops till you implement them your self.
So, study the naked minimal and instantly begin experimenting; I promise it’ll at the least 2x your studying curve.
You in all probability have heard this recommendation quite a bit, however in actuality it’s that straightforward.
I at all times say that almost all issues in life are easy however arduous to do, particularly in programming.
Keep away from traits
Once I say keep away from traits, I don’t imply to not concentrate on areas which can be doing properly or in demand available in the market.
What I’m saying is that if you choose a sure language or specialism, keep it up.
Programming languages all share comparable ideas and patterns, so if you study one, you not directly enhance your capacity to select up one other later.
However you continue to ought to concentrate on one language for at the least a number of months.
Don’t develop “shiny object syndrome” and chase the newest applied sciences; it’s a recreation that you’ll sadly lose.
There have been so many “distracting” applied sciences, corresponding to blockchain, Web3, AI, the checklist goes on.
As a substitute, concentrate on the basics:
- Knowledge sorts
- Design patterns
- Object-oriented programming
- Knowledge buildings and algorithms
- Downside-solving expertise
These matters transcend particular person programming languages and are a lot better to grasp than the newest Javascript framework!
It’s a lot better to have a robust understanding of 1 space than attempt to study every part. Not solely is that this extra manageable, however it’s also higher on your long-term profession.
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve progressed fairly properly in my profession by solely realizing Python and SQL, as I discovered the required applied sciences for the sphere and didn’t get distracted.
I can’t stress how a lot leverage you’ll have in your profession if you happen to doc your studying publicly.
Doc your studying
I don’t know why extra individuals don’t do that. Sharing what I’ve discovered on-line has been the most important recreation changer for my profession.
Actually committing your code on GitHub is sufficient, however I actually advocate posting on LinkedIn or X, and ideally, you must create weblog posts that will help you cement your understanding and exhibit you information to employers.
Once I interview candidates, if they’ve some type of on-line presence displaying 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 might be affected by the highlight impact. Wikipedia defines this as:
The highlight impact is the psychological phenomenon by which individuals are inclined to imagine they’re being seen greater than they actually are.
Nobody actually cares if you happen to publish on-line or take into consideration you as a lot as 1% as you suppose.
So, begin posting.
What about AI?
I may spend hours discussing why AI is just not a right away danger for anybody who desires to work within the coding career.
It’s best to embrace AI as a part of your toolkit, however that’s so far as it’ll go, and it’ll undoubtedly not change programmers in 5 years.
Until an AGI breakthrough all of the sudden happens within the subsequent decade, which is extremely unlikely.
I personally doubt the reply to AGI is the cross-entropy loss perform, which is what’s utilized in most LLMs these days.
It has been proven time and time once more that these AI fashions lack robust mathematical reasoning skills, which is likely one of the most elementary expertise to being a very good coder.
Even the so-called “software program engineer killer” Devin is not pretty much 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.
Once 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’s a lot, a lot larger fish to fry earlier than we cross that bridge!
NeetCode has carried out an important video explaining how present AI is incapable of changing programmers.
One other factor!
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