If you want to become a programmer but you can’t figure out where to start, or you want to increase your programming skills by learning a new language, this is the best place for you.
A great start is the online lessons. And what I mean by that, is MOOCs lessons in platforms like EDX, Coursera or Udacity. YouTube tutorials are also helpful, as they can cover some of your gaps in your knowledge or programming skills.
The main problem is that in most cases, you will just learn the commands in a programming language, and not the algorithmic way of thinking, so the knowledge you build is superficial. Let’ start with the first lesson:
Number 1) Learn to program: the Fundamentals
https://goo.gl/OYO5sW
The first lesson is based on python. You will start from the basics. The amount of work is about 4-8 hours a week for a total of 7 weeks. Finally, the video duration is approximately 7 minutes per lesson.
You will start from the very basics:
- How to install python
- How to use Python as calculator
- Variables and
- Functions
In the third week, you will start to write your first If statements and then you are going to learn about loops, how to read files and many more important parts of this language. Also, it is important to note that the assignments are in the form of quizzes and not coding exercises.
Link for the Lesson
Number 2) Introduction to programming with MATLAB
https://goo.gl/v71eMv
As you already understand this lesson uses MATLAB as the core programming language. In my opinion, MATLAB is a robust, fast to code and well-optimized language. This lesson demands approximately 5-6 hours of work per week, for a total of 9 weeks. The average video duration is 15 minutes.
In this course, you will learn the basic commands and functions in order to help your coding experience. More specifically, you work with embedded functions in Matlab that help you manipulate arrays with efficiency. In the fourth week, you learn about scripts and problem-solving. Then plotting and debugging tools. In the last weeks, they teach you about if statement, loops, structures, files and several other details.
Finally, this lesson has a key difference. Every week you should send a programming assignment that will automatically be sent back to you whether it is correct or not with a corresponding grade. In this way, you can have more experience with actual coding in your computer, which is very important.
Number 3) Programming languages, Part A
https://goo.gl/FvJIs3
The final course that we review today is the “programming languages”. This course is divided into 3 different parts A, B and C. It deals with ML, Racket, and Ruby and gives you the core idea about programming in every language. Part A is 5 weeks long, demanding from you 8 to 16 hours a week and lecture videos are approximately 8 minutes long.
In part A you will learn about functions, variables, datatypes, recursions, filters, pattern-matching applications and much more. Then in part B, you will extend this knowledge in Racket language, getting some knowledge on the fundamentals like compiler vs interpreter, static vs Dynamic and so on.
In part C you will work with dynamic programming in Ruby. More specifically, your will work with arrays, blocks, classes, methods and much more.
Finally, this course has multiple programming assignments automatically and peer graded.
This was a Coursera Review. I hope it can help you choose the best programming lessons for your needs.
Philosophy Behind Coding: http://www.philosophybehindcoding.com
PBC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/philosophybehindcoding