Programming is designing, building, testing and maintaining computer software. It is also known as software development aka coding. It involves using a programming language to create a source code which is a set of instructions that a computer can understand and execute. As a beginner, learning to code can seem overwhelming and intimidating but with the right mindset, approach and resources, anyone can become a problem solver.

The first step in learning to code is to choose a programming language. Programming languages are tools we use to translate our thoughts into instructions that a computer can understand. There are many programming languages available today, they may vary in their syntax, semantics and features but they all share the same basic structure. Some of the most popular programming languages include JavaScript, Python, C++ and Java.

Programming to many people is problem-solving, so let's solve our very first problem. If you are not sure which programming language to learn, then read this article to the end to see my suggestion. Also, ask yourself what you want to do with programming. For instance, if you are interested in web development, JavaScript is a good language to learn but you will need prerequisites like basic computer literacy, a basic understanding of HTML and CSS and some basic knowledge of python. However, if you are conflicted about how to start your programming journey entirely, it's best to join a community. ALX Africa - Power Your Future in Tech is the best thing that ever happened to me. They will keep you motivated and focused on specific programming languages like C programming, Python, JavaScript etc. You get helpful resources and daily tasks, you can ask questions, get feedback and participate in peer learning as well as group tasks. As challenging as learning to code can be, being in a community like ALX makes learning the basics, practicing, accessing resources and progressing as a programmer worthwhile.

Learning the basics of programming on your own is also very possible, it may be more challenging but still possible. Once you've chosen a programming language, it's time to dive right into it. The best way to learn to code is to practice coding. Start with simple programs and work your way up to complex ones. You can find great instructors on Youtube such as Mosh Hamedani who teaches programming with exercises and challenges. You could also come up with your own projects to work on as you progress.

Resources! I cannot stress this enough! you need to do it all. You need to research, read, watch lectures and read more manuals and documentation. You need to find the right online resources for you, find tutorials, courses and forums that can help you stay focused and learn. Codecademy, Udemy, Tutorialpoint, eduX and Coursera are a few popular resources.

In conclusion, coding is hard but with the right mindset, resources and approach, you can learn it and be great at it. Once you start, you have to practice every day. Do you know how they say practice makes perfect? Yup! it's true.

So since this is also my programming journey, let me quickly introduce you to a programming language I suggest you begin with. >> Python. It is an easy-to-learn and powerful programming language.

In my next post, I'll walk you through a simple introduction and tutorial including the installation.

print('Python is going to be fun')