If you’re looking to learn to code, there are tons of great resources out there, both free and paid. When it comes to learning any new skill, it can be tricky knowing where to start—and even more difficult figuring out which resources will actually help you master the concepts you need in order to make real progress! So if you’re ready to jump into the exciting world of coding and start making your ideas reality, here are nine awesome tools and resources that we’ve used ourselves—and that we think will be especially useful for anyone just starting out. 9 Resources for Learning to Code
1) Free online courses
There are tons of free online coding courses and programs out there. If you’re completely new to programming, start with a site like Codecademy or LearnToProgram . You can also read Treehouse ’s list of 20+ places where you can learn how to code (free). And if you’re looking for something more advanced, browse popular sites like Udacity and Coursera , which offer free university-level classes in everything from Python programming to data science and back-end web development.
2) Free one-to-one classes
Another option, particularly if you’re a beginner and looking to build a solid foundation of tech skills, is to take advantage of one-to-one classes (in person or online) offered by your local community college or adult education program. Some employers also offer free classes—check with your company’s training program and/or HR team if you work at a large corporation.
3) Paid online courses
Online courses are a great way to learn coding, especially when paired with project-based exercises or feedback from an instructor. Sites like Codecademy, Coursera and Udacity offer tutorials on how to code popular web languages, as well as monthly subscriptions that provide access to their platforms’ tools and lesson plans.
4) YouTube channels
Sites like YouTube and Vimeo have thousands of videos that walk you through coding concepts. The instructors can be engaging or dull, but there’s something incredibly helpful about watching someone do what you’re trying to learn how to do, rather than reading words on a page.
5) Reddit Subreddits
There are tons of subreddits available in which you can post your web design and coding skills, such as /r/web_design and /r/webdev. However, if you want more targeted feedback on your work, it might be better to look up threads within specific communities. For example, if you wanted critical analysis of a particular website’s design and development, posting in /r/informationarchitecture might be helpful.
6) Online podcasts
A podcast is a radio-like show that is streamed online. Podcasts are really useful if you have a long commute, or if you like learning while doing other things (such as housework). Some of my favorite podcasts include: Spoke, Skeptoid, Back To Work and Science Vs. You can learn more about them by clicking on their names.
7) Books
There are a number of books available on everything from Ruby to HTML5, but here are some that should keep you busy learning: Mastering Object-Oriented JavaScript by Axel Rauschmayer and The Well-Grounded Rubyist by David A. Black. If you’re interested in Python, check out Dive Into Python 3 by Mark Pilgrim and Excelling with Objects in Python 3 by Steven F. Lott.
8) W3Schools Tutorials
If you are just starting out learning how to code, it is essential that you become familiar with coding basics. W3Schools offers a free, comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide on HTML, CSS and JavaScript. You can even sign up for free email tutorials on specific coding concepts if you want to go deeper into learning web development.
9) Microsoft Virtual Academy
Microsoft Virtual Academy is an online learning destination, offering free, interactive courses on Microsoft products and solutions. The resources are available 24/7 so you can learn anytime, anywhere. Courses cover a variety of topics such as Azure, Windows 8 and Office 365.