Whether starting your professional career or trying to change industries, programming is one of the most desired career paths.
The reasons behind programming popularity are numerous – some people are just financially motivated, while others perceive it as a never-ending learning curve. Maybe you don’t lack motivation, but what troubles you is something else – how do you become a programmer?
Ecommerce site development is a complex process requiring much planning and expertise. It involves creating an online store that is easy to use, secure, and optimized for search engines. It also requires integrating payment gateways, shipping methods, and other features to make the shopping experience seamless. So why would a product creator create a website instead of solely selling their goods on Amazon?
In this article, we’ll try to answer that question by outlining some steps to help you plan your future programming career.
So, let’s start: print (“Hello, World!”)
Steps to Master any Programming Language and Get a first job
Say hello to the world of programming
Step 1: Decide which programming language you should learn
Step 2: Education and choose the right coding tools
Step 3: Joining the Coding Community
Step 4: Starting your coding project
Step 5: Applying for Programming Jobs
Say hello to the world of programming
Nearly every time a programming enthusiast starts learning a new programming or frontend language, the first thing they try to get the computer to say is Hello, World!
This dates back to 1972 and the computer scientist Brian Kernighan who wrote the manual Programming in C. He was trying to assemble little parts of the text and get it as a final output. As he said, he saw a cartoon where a chick came out of an egg saying Hello, world, and he associated it with his goal.
Since then, this phrase has been commonly used as a test to check if the source code is correctly written.
But why are there so many people saying hello to the programming world?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are several reasons why people rate programming as one of the best jobs in 2023.
First of all, programming skills are very well-paid. On average, programmers earn around $90.000 annually, while more experienced ones can make even double. Programming offers other perks, such as work flexibility and freelance opportunities along with financial benefits. It doesn’t require a constant office presence – you can work from wherever you want as long as you have a stable internet connection. You can develop and maintain enterprise chat apps with programming skills, enabling effective communication and collaboration within organizations.
All of this sounds nice, but where to start if you’re entirely new to this career path?
Step 1: Deciding which programming language you should learn
For aspiring coders, the first challenge is to select a programming language or niche. Programming is applicable in every industry, and as such, it offers many versatile roles and positions. Moreover, that means that each part has its tool stack.
A common mistake beginners make is trying to learn different programming languages simultaneously. Becoming very good at one programming language might seem illogical, especially if you take a look at job openings. Besides programming being an ever-changing field, each company is looking for different requirements, which makes the choice even harder. However, especially at the beginning, it is always better to get into the depths of one language and only then start with the next, probably more advanced one. This approach is even more crucial in the context of artificial intelligence, where specialized knowledge and skills in specific programming languages can greatly enhance your understanding and proficiency in developing AI systems. As well as learn how to utilize the systems with techniques of data annotation, supervised learning, and data training.
After all, it’s better to master one language, than to start five and not to be good at any of them. Thus, take time to consider what programming language meets your career goals and start learning it. However, if you’re a complete beginner, it would be wise to start with something beginner friendly and then proceed to more complex ones.
There are hundreds of programming languages available – all dedicated to different industries and purposes. Here we will present some of the best-known ones.
- HTML
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and it’s the main language for web design. It’s usually considered relatively easy and doesn't require any math skills, so the majority of beginners start the learning process with it.
- JavaScript
JavaScript is often considered the step that comes after the HTML learning process. This programming language is more interactive, thus, it offers you to upgrade the basic HTML website features by for example adding dropdown menus. In the past, Javascript was considered a tool for front-end developers, but now, many developers use Node.js, a JavaScript-based runtime environment to write backend codes as well.
Moreover, JavaScript is one of the most used programming languages in the world. Thus, it’s no surprise that so many job applications list it as one of the main requirements. So, if you want to develop a career in back-end development, and have many job opportunities, then this programming language is definitely for you. It is an essential part of any ecommerce site and it allows developers to create interactive and dynamic webpages that can be used to enhance the user experience. JavaScript can be used to create custom features, such as product recommendations, shopping cart functionality, and payment processing. It also helps with SEO by making sure that search engines can crawl and index the content on the website. With JavaScript, ecommerce sites can provide a more engaging experience for their customers while also improving their search engine rankings.
- Python
Python is a multi-purpose programming language used in mobile app development, as well as developing computer applications, video games, and data analysis. Due to these varieties, it’s considered as one of the most popular languages and many programmers decide to specialize in it. Moreover, this language is one of the most used for site crawling.
- C
Both Python and C are considered general-purpose languages, so it’s no surprise that many programmers decide to learn them. Even though it uses a relatively small number of keywords, C is strong enough to be used for different purposes – developing web browsers, operating systems, and designer tools.
- R
R is one of the programming languages that is very specific. It is specially developed for statistical purposes such as analyzing data, creating statistical visualizations, and building different statistical models. Thus, it’s no surprise that R is mostly used for academic purposes, therefore, if you’re pursuing an academic career in statistics, it would be wise to get familiar with it.
- SQL
The main difference between SQL and all other programming languages is that it can be only used for database interactions. To be more precise, SQL serves to build an organization's data infrastructure. Besides this, it can be used to extract information from the database. Not every programmer needs to learn SQL, but if you want to become a full-stack developer, then SQL must be on your list.
If you're eager to learn full stack development and master SQL along with other essential technologies like R, Python, HTML, JavaScript, and C, that are mentioned above, then consider enrolling in a comprehensive full stack development course that covers the entire stack from front-end to back-end development.
Step 2: Education and choosing the right coding tools
Options for educating yourself in programming are endless. From pursuing undergraduate degrees, to online courses, new opportunities are emerging almost daily. Thus, it would be a smart move to make your first programming steps by enrolling in some of the free online courses. Such courses will provide you with the basic concepts that are crucial when it comes to understanding what are your preferences. After using all free options, you can proceed with the paid ones, and even pursue an undergraduate degree.
Once you have covered the basics, it’s time to choose the right coding tools. The first step is to buy a laptop or a computer with the latest software version and significant RAM on it. Will it be a Mac or Windows? Is it completely up to you?
Another important thing for coders is text editors. Again, start with free versions such as Notepad or TextEdit, and as you gain more experience, you can upgrade to paid ones if you see the need for it.
Last but not least, download a code editor. Code editors help coders to write and store codes. Different code editors can offer different functionalities, such as debuggers and other features, so do a bit of investigation before making a decision.
Step 3: Joining the Coding Community
Coders have a pretty strong community that can come in handy whether you’re a beginner or a professional. Coding communities are usually open-source platforms where members share their experiences, questions, and codes. It’s a common practice to share codes within the community so that other members can have a look at your code and even make changes if necessary. Different communities serve different purposes – some of them connect programmers from a certain country, or gather coders working with the same programming language or project. Thus, professionals can share their experience which is especially useful for beginners. For newbies, communities can be a great learning spot where they can come for feedback, or useful tips and tricks. Also by combining coding skills with digital marketing knowledge, professionals can create a strong foundation for implementing effective marketing strategies, and driving better results in the online landscape.
Email is often used for communication between developers, team members, and different stakeholders within the coding community. To make the process even more effective then use SPF record checker and take other email security measures.
For example, one of those is to write comments in the code. Every programming language offers ways to write comments within the code lines that won’t interfere with the actions that the code is supposed to run. These comments can serve as future references or shove what’s the mechanics behind a program.
One of the platforms that you can check out is Developer Circles and Stack Overflow. Both platforms have experts that can provide valuable advice. Stack Overflow, for instance, has more than 21 million questions asked, so it’s almost impossible not to find what you're looking for.
Step 4: Starting your coding project
The theory is great and necessary, but it won’t take you places unless you start putting it into practice. Beginners usually make the mistake of doing too many courses and tutorials just to keep copying the codes that someone has already written. That’s a good starting point, but you must start writing your codes to grow and develop as a programmer.
In coding communities, you can also find useful links to platforms meant for programming-solving challenges. These platforms usually have different levels of difficulty, so everyone can find the level that suits their needs. HackerRank and LeetCode are one of those platforms, just to name a few.
Once you get some experience, a good way to test yourself is by digging into someone else's code. You’ll see their way of doing things, and as you get more confidence, maybe you can even make edits to their code lines.
Finally, once you complete a certain level of programming challenges, you should try to create your project. This means that you should be able to create everything from scratch and be able to provide the final solution. Exploring additional factors, such as infrastructure, network architecture, resource management, project management software, security, compliance, and regulatory requirements, particularly for data storage and processing for which a colocation data center is frequently considered. By doing so, you can design applications that are in line with the infrastructure and operational considerations of such facilities, demonstrating your ability to create enterprise-level solutions. Building projects, besides allowing you to learn, are also helping you to get noticed by hiring managers. Thus, personal projects can be crucial for beginners with no prior company experience.
It's critical to consider data backup and storage as you work on your projects. Azure Blob Storage backup is one efficient way to protect your project data. Using this Microsoft Azure solution, you may safely save and retrieve massive volumes of unstructured data, making it a reliable option for protecting your valuable coding projects.
Step 5: Applying for Programming Jobs
Once you get enough skills and experience, it’s time to start with the job search. Whether you’re looking for a career change or completely new on the market, applying for a job can be challenging. Startup accelerators can be a great place to find prospects and start the job search as a new programmer.
Before you start applying for jobs, make sure that you prepare a portfolio. Programmers usually create a portfolio website and link all their previous projects, although you can create a portfolio from Google Sheets, too. This is a form of CV because it allows the employer to see your work immediately. The portfolio website should also briefly introduce yourself – who you are, your skills, and your education. You can even consider adding a custom logo to give your personal brand a professional touch. If possible, use high-quality screenshots and design templates for further optimization. Using an online resume builder can help you stand out from other applicants. Also, leave your email, phone number, or social media profile so recruiters can easily reach out to you in case you get their attention.
Once you have a solid portfolio, preparing for the next steps in your programming journey, including mastering essential programming concepts and sharpening your problem-solving skills, is essential. Additionally, to secure your first career opportunity, being well-prepared for software developer interview questions is crucial.
If they see you as the right match, coming prepared for the first interview is important. There are a couple of interview tips that you should take into consideration:
- Don’t be passive – regardless if the recruiter approached you or you were the one who sent an application, make sure to get yourself informed. Read more about the company and the projects that they are working on. Also, it’s always helpful to prepare a couple of questions about your role, what kind of technologies they are using, and other similar technical questions. Showing interest and initiative is always appreciated.
- Practice – You can find many interview tips online. For example, here is a sample of Python coding interview questions that you can look at. Doing so gives you a general feeling of what questions you might come across, and be more prepared. Python can be used to create a variety of features for an ecommerce site, such as product catalogs, shopping carts, payment processing systems, and more. It also allows developers to integrate third-party services into their sites easily. By practicing with Python, developers can gain the skills necessary to build a successful ecommerce site from scratch.
Conclusion
Developing an ecommerce site requires a team of people with expertise in web design, programming, marketing, and customer service. The goal is to create an online store that meets the needs of customers while providing them with a great shopping experience. With the right team in place, businesses can create an ecommerce site that will help them reach their goals and grow their business.
Changing career paths or trying to get your very first job can be equally challenging. Before making the final decision it is important to have all the information. That’s why we prepared this short guide on how to master any programming language. Different programming languages come with different challenges, but the steps we explained can be applied nevertheless.
Above all, the most important thing is to be patient and persistent. When you make your decision, stick to it, and don’t become discouraged by the first obstacles.
We wish you a happy learning and much success in job hunting!
