Avoid These Mistakes When Starting to Code: A Beginner's Guide

Are you just starting your coding journey? Many beginners get frustrated and give up because they start in the wrong way. This guide will highlight common mistakes that lead to demotivation and quitting. Watch till the end – it could be a lifesaver!

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

1. Memorizing Instead of Understanding

Don't try to memorize everything! Focus on understanding the logic behind coding concepts. Understand how things work and why they are used. Instead of memorizing syntax for loops, conditions, and breaks, focus on their purpose and application. This will make problemsolving much easier.

2. Multitasking: Doing Too Much at Once

Focus on one thing at a time. Don't jump between DSA, Python, C++, React, HTML, and JavaScript simultaneously. Follow a structured approach. If you're learning DSA, start with a language, basic syntax, arrays, and strings. For web development, begin with HTML, JavaScript, CSS, basic projects, and then move on to React. Don't jump into advanced topics before mastering the fundamentals.

3. Coding in Isolation

Coding requires continuous practice, often for at least 6 months to a year. You'll encounter doubts and problems. Join coding groups or peer groups. If you're in college, connect with your peers. If not, join Discord or enroll in courses with likeminded people. Consider joining a community where you can ask questions and get help.

4. Obsessing Over the "Best" Programming Language

There is no single "best" programming language. Start with one language and learn it well. It will be easier to pick up others later. Different languages have different use cases (JavaScript for web apps, Swift for iOS apps, Kotlin/Java for Android apps). Choose a language that's easy for you to learn and start with that.

5. Tutorial Hell: Watching Too Much, Doing Too Little

Beware of "tutorial hell"! Watching countless tutorials can give you a false sense of knowledge. Always create projects to solidify your understanding. Build small projects, like an expense tracker if you are learning web development. This will help you apply what you've learned.

6. Quitting Too Early

Don't give up after just 1015 days or a month! Coding is difficult at the beginning. It may feel like it's not for you, but it's just problemsolving. The more you practice, the better you'll become. Progress might be slow initially, but it will accelerate with continued effort.

7. Neglecting Dry Runs

Dry runs are essential for identifying mistakes. Before submitting solutions on platforms like LeetCode, perform a dry run. This involves mentally stepping through your code or creating a mind map on paper to visualize the process. This will help you understand how your problemsolving skills are improving.

8. Not Sharing Your Learning Publicly

Share your learnings publicly on platforms like GitHub and LinkedIn. Post your projects, challenges, and accomplishments. This strengthens your portfolio, makes it easier to network, and helps you connect with other developers.

9. Lack of a ProblemSolving Mindset

Develop a problemsolving mindset. Software engineering is all about solving problems. Don't just learn syntax and libraries. Break down problems into smaller steps and learn how to address each one.

10. Rushing the Process

Don't rush! Learning takes time. It's a process, like a tree growing. Don't expect to master coding immediately. Work hard continuously, and you'll see tremendous progress over time. Remember: coding is a marathon, not a sprint.

Conclusion

Coding is a marathon, not a sprint. Learn slowly, make mistakes, and keep improving. Good luck on your coding journey!