Top 6 Websites To Learn Computer Programming Languages

Ever wanted to learn computer programming languages, but didn't know where to start? Well, those days are over. Today learning programming languages is not really a hard job. If you are a beginner and have aptitude to learn computer programming then you can accomplish this goal within a few months. Here are the top 6 websites, which are useful for learning programming.

1. W3schools.com

If you are a beginner or intermediate programmer, then w3schools is an excellent website for learning programming. W3schools offer tutorials for a variety of web programming and scripting languages such as html, html5, css, asp, Ajax, JavaScript, php, jQuery etc. So, if you are into web development then w3schools would be a great learning resource.

2. Codeavengers.com

If you want learn coding for making games, apps or websites using html/html5, css3, JavaScript python, but want an entertaining teaching resource. Then codeavengers.com is ideal choice for you. Codeavengers.com was designed by keeping difficulty for beginners in mind. It provides a fun and interactive learning environment that is effective for all age groups. Even if you are an intermediate programmer, you might find some great learning stuff there.

3. Codecademy.com

Codeacademy is another great website, for learning languages like JavaScript, HTML/CSS, PHP, Python, and Ruby. You can even learn how to use some popular web APIs in your website or app.  Codeacademy has a great modern learning system, which is based on user interaction. It has full-fledged programming courses for beginners. Again, this website is great for beginners and intermediate learners. But advanced programmers can also find some pretty useful stuff there.

4. tutorialspoint.com

Tutorialspoint has tutorials for a lot of web, high level and scripting languages that are commonly used today. You can find tutorials for any computer language that you have ever heard of (those that are currently in used). Apart from that, it also features a variety of tutorials for other fields such as DIP, OS, SEO, Telecom, DBMS, and frameworks etc.  Some commonly used languages that you can learn there are: Java, C++, PHP, Python, Ruby, C#, Perl, VB.Net, ios.

5. msdn.microsoft.com

Although, beginner programmers might find MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) a tough learning resource, it is still the best resource you can get, if you want to master Microsoft oriented languages such as VB.Net, C# etc. MSDN has great tutorials for beginners, intermediate and advance programmers.

But as I stated earlier, beginners might not be initially comfortable with MDSN, as I has really a lot of resources that it would be a hard time for beginners to find what they are looking for. But if you get used to MSDN, then it is the ideal learning point for Microsoft oriented languages. You can get a lot of sample applications, tutorials and resources that are uploaded by Microsoft and MSDN community. Since it’s a developer’s network, you can even find development help from community members.

6. Lynda.com

You might already know about Lynda.com. Lynda offers easy to follow video tutorials. Lynda.com is an old and well established tutoring site, if you are looking for video tutorials to learn computer languages, then Lynda is your ideal choice. Apart from programming languages, Lynda also offers tutorials for a variety of other fields such as 3D modeling, CAD, Photography etc. Lynda.com is an old and well established tutoring site.

So the next time someone asks you about your computer skills, you know where to turn. I hope you will learn a lot from these websites. All the best :)

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7 Best (FREE) Web Development Courses for Beginners

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Perhaps one of the most exciting prospects about entering a field like web development is the ability to simply get into it right away.  Unlike many professions that require months or even years of training, with web development you can easily get started today if you feel the fire of learning and discovery smoldering under your feet!

The best place begin getting a feel for how development works are the numerous free, self-guided online web development courses that cover everything from basic programming introductions to development best practices.  Below we’ll take a look at the cream of the crop web development courses and highlight what they can each offer you and a selection of the best links or tools to check out.

1. Codecademy (Visit)

Codecademy provides a series of self-guided tutorials for beginners to learn the basics of web development programming.  An in-browser, self-contained development environment is created where you can learn the basic structures of front-end code like HTML and CSS, before moving on to back-end languages such as Ruby on Rails and Python.

Don’t miss… The Make a Website and HTML & CSS programs are great beginning points if you need to learn the basics of web structure and design.  For heavier coding, try the Ruby language tutorial followed by the Learn Ruby on Rails guide for making a basic, functional website.

2. Khan Academy (Visit)

An extremely useful learning site that covers all manner of subject, and the computer programming section of Khan Academy in particular cannot be overlooked.  It features a variety of self-guided tutorials, generally with experts providing audio and/or video guidance on the topic while interactive on-screen windows show the code and output the results during narration.

Don’t miss… The great introduction to the SQL database engine includes guided narration and even personal challenges that ask you to write SQL yourself to perform simple tasks.  A fun series for learning the basics of drawing and animation using JavaScript is great for getting into that prolific front-end language.

3. MIT Open Course-ware (Visit)

An abundance of self-guided courses from none other than one of the best technical schools in the United States, MIT.  The MIT Open Course-ware program offers an incredible breadth of topics to learn about, including hundreds of courses relating to programming, development, mathematics, and computer engineering.

Don’t miss… Introduction to Computer Science and Programming which is a full, independent study course including all resources and course materials to get you excited about and interested in programming.  A Gentle Introduction to Programming Using Python is also a great resource to get insight into that popular and well-designed back-end language.

4. Coursera (Visit)

Similar to MIT Open Course-ware, Coursera offers a plethora of online courses from a variety of universities around the world for free.  Each course varies slightly in format and timeline, but numerous courses are available for programming, development, and computer science to get a taste.

Don’t miss… A great beginners guide to programming can be found in the Programming for Everyone course from University of Michigan.  While the language used throughout the course is specific to Python, the course itself is focused on the concepts of general programming that can be applied to virtually all languages you’ll encounter for years to come.

5. Mozilla Developer Network (Visit)

Mozilla, the team behind the popular Firefox web browser, have created an incredible resource for developers of all skills levels and expertise through the Mozilla Developer Network.  These resources, articles, and tutorials are perfect for those who absorb information and learn best using the tried-and-true method of reading words and seeing examples right there on the page.  The range of topics is wide, from basic web introductions and front-end languages to common vocabulary and optimization & performance.

Don’t miss… Getting started with the Web is a great resource for beginners to learn about how websites function, and the guide then moves onto writing and playing around with front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

6. HTML5 Rocks (Visit)

While the interface is a bit lackluster and finding relevant articles can be somewhat challenging, the HTML5 Rocks site — that was created by Google — provides a wide assortment of articles and tutorials on all manner of web development topics, with intended audiences ranging from beginners to advanced developers.

Don’t miss… Getting Started with CSS Shapes provides a great introduction into advanced CSS techniques that many beginners may not even realize can be accomplished purely with CSS.

7. A List Apart (Visit)

One of the most professional and up-to-date online magazines directly aimed at web developers and designers, A List Apart is home to a multitude of exceptional articles dealing with everything from coding and techniques to design and user experience.  If you want to do some light reading and learn from the experience and advice of other experts in the field, browsing through the articles here is a great resource.

Don’t miss… Building Nonlinear Narratives for the Web offers great insight into the notion that the scattered, modular nature of modern websites requires that narratives about our content are allowed to be free-flowing and not follow the traditional “beginning, middle, end” structure of storytelling.  Also check out Reframing Accessibility for the Web, which attacks some of our own inherent prejudices about web users with disabilities and how developers can move forward designing for accessibility, regardless of the user at the other end.

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5 Reasons to Learn to Code You Probably Haven’t Heard

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Coding today is like sculpting in the Renaissance, or tossing a discus in Ancient Greece: a really, really badass skill that’s revered by pretty much everyone. If you’re human and have a pulse, you’ve probably been encouraged to learn to code at one point or another. Yet, you’re probably wondering if this ability is really all it’s cracked up to be. The short answer is yes!

There are actually quite a few reasons to learn to code, even if you don’t work as a developer or even in a creative field. Below we’ll take a look at five of the best.

1. Enhance Your Digital Literacy

How would you feel if you were surrounded by books and could look at the pictures, but were unable to read or write? This is how most people are with their devices: able to interact with them on a limited basis, but without the ability to use them to their fullest extent. Whether it’s your laptop, your mobile or even a traditional desktop, if you can’t code, you can only scratch the surface of what these tools can do.

Learning programming enables you to understand how technology works, and therefore how to make it work better for you. Once you learn to code, you’ll become digitally literate in a way you never imagined possible, able to troubleshoot and invent creative solutions to problems that before would have frustrated or defeated you.

2. Pump Up the Jam on Your Website

While anyone can put together a WordPress site and futz with the CSS, not just anyone can create interactive experiences using jQuery, say, or customize that WordPress site using tailored PHP. Programming in various languages allows you to do a lot more with images, videos and even text. If you can move beyond the basics of dabbling in HTML5, you’ll not only reap the benefits in the form of a far more powerful website, you may impress employers or clients enough to hire you to do the same for them.

3. Improve Focus and Problem-Solving Skills

Code is a tempestuous mistress, but truly delightful once you get to know her. Thing is? You’ve got to work for it. There’s no such thing as doing a little programming for 5-10 minutes; you need long stretches in order to get anywhere. If you take the time to master various programming languages, though, you’ll soon find that you have a ready-made opportunity to improve your focus and problem-solving skills. Because programming requires a lot of iterative attempts before you find solutions that work, you have to keep track of tiny changes in the code in pursuit of bigger changes on the front end. This is great training for a sharp brain.

4. Multiply Your Productivity

Coding can also help you become much more productive. Once you have the basic programming skills to manipulate your computer on a deeper level, you can start automating a wide variety of basic tasks that will save you time and make you more effective a worker (or player) overall.

You could, for instance, write basic programs that help you debug your computer and track down inefficiencies. Or you can use code to help modify your email and text message work flow so that it becomes much more efficient, right from your desktop. You can also organize your files so you no longer have to perform a frustrating search whenever you want to find a document (goodbye, Monster Documents Folder You No Longer Recognize … hello, sanity!). And you can even create your own computer games. Be honest: The third grader in you is thrilled about that one.

5. Experience Flow

Flow is an idea popularized by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi that describes how it feels to become totally immersed in our work, so that time loses meaning and we become one with the work itself. This glorious state, if you’ve ever encountered it, is both emotionally fulfilling and highly productive.

Well guess what? Programming is one of the best ways to experience flow. Learning new languages, tinkering with lines of code, finding the little fixes that make your program work beautifully … these are very enjoyable experiences for many programmers, and leave you with a sense of satisfaction that lingers long after your work is done. If you’d like more Zen in your life, learning to code can give it to you.

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What is JavaScript and Where Can I Learn It?

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Unbeknownst to most of us, we all make heavy use of JavaScript dozens of times a day. From desktop computers and mobile phones to smart TVs and even modern cars, nearly every connected device we use on a daily basis makes heavy use of JavaScript to help us browse the web and live out our digital lives.

In spite of the ubiquity of JavaScript you may still be wondering, “What is JavaScript, exactly?” (Just to clarify, JavaScript is not Java.)

At its core, JavaScript is a programming language which is used to facilitate interactions between a user’s web browser and the website or service the user is visiting. Virtually every aspect of the browsing experience — from the visual look and feel of a site to the underlying information that represents the movie titles being displayed on sites like Netflix — can be altered within the browser using JavaScript.

By being able to interact with every object that makes up a web page, JavaScript can perform some very magical tasks. Even so, the most mundane uses of JavaScript are witnessed by users so frequently that many people may not even realize JavaScript is under the hood. Common implementations of JavaScript include: confirming that the user has entered a properly formatted email address into a form; automatically placing the text cursor into a search box when loading a page like Google.com; or loading small sections of a page, such as the next series of movies in a list, without the need to reload the entire page.

At the simplest level, JavaScript code is loaded behind-the-scenes when a web page is visited in nearly any modern browser. Once that page has finished loading and is displayed on screen, the JavaScript code is executed and instructs the browser what additional actions (if any) should take place. If no immediate action is to take place (such as placing the text cursor in a search box), then typically the JavaScript code simply sits idle, waiting for a particular event to occur, at which point the JavaScript code fires and performs a necessary action.

For example, when filling out the password box in a registration form, JavaScript will often be waiting for the moment when the user begins typing characters into the password box. In the event that the user types a special character that this particular web page doesn’t allow as part of a valid password, the JavaScript code will immediately notice this issue and pop up a small text alert near the password field, informing the user of this issue.

While adept users may consider or even recognize that this verification process of ensuring the password field contains valid characters can be performed by the server (the remote computer hosting the website), this illustrates the fundamental power of JavaScript as a technology: JavaScript can perform tasks immediately, directly on the device the user is interacting with, without the delays normally necessary when sending and receiving information from a web site.

Why is JavaScript Essential?

Aside from the power and control that implementing JavaScript into a website has for the company behind that site, it’s also critical to understand just how vital JavaScript as a technology is, both at present and well down the road for the foreseeable future. Having a solid grasp of what JavaScript is, and perhaps even how to begin coding and working with it, are among the most crucial skills anyone interested in web technologies or development can gain.

A multitude of technologies have sprung up in recent years that heavily focus on utilizing the power of JavaScript.

Node.js, a server-side JavaScript library built using Google’s V8 JavaScript engine, is among the most dominant of these technologies. Node.js is powerful and robust enough that, over the last few years, a great number of big name companies have migrated their services from older technologies to Node.js, including Netflix, PayPal, and Uber. What makes Node.js so interesting is that, unlike most implementations of JavaScript in the past, Node.js allows JavaScript to be the backbone language that handles everything on the server itself, rather than merely managing interactions only on the user’s computer.

Not only is JavaScript widely used by massive companies and services, in fact all signs indicate that it is among the most popular programming languages used day-to-day by developers worldwide.

StackOverflow — a question and answer forum for developers and one of the most commonly visited sites by professionals in the industry — recently released their annual Developer Survey, which asks developers a series of questions related to their work. A whopping 85% of full-stack developers (those that work on both client-side and server-side solutions) indicate they use JavaScript in their work, making JavaScript over 25% more popular than the next closest technology. And thanks, in part, to the growth of server-side technologies like Node.js, JavaScript is even the most popular language for back-end developers as well. As the StackOverflow editors plainly state it, “JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language on earth.”

Where to Begin Learning JavaScript

For individuals intrigued by the popularity and power of JavaScript, and wishing to learn more, there are a plethora of sites and resources available to let you dip your toes in the JavaScript water and begin learning. Below we’ll explore just a handful with links to get you started right away.

JavaScript.com Interactive Tutorial — A simple and straightforward tutorial that allows you to get started writing JavaScript code immediately.

Eloquent JavaScript Online Book — If you enjoyed cramming for tests in school or just like to digest information in sequen

tial pages and ordered chapters, then this online book is a great place to start and it can teach you all the basics you’ll need to know to start working with JavaScript.

CodinGame.com — JavaScript is just one of the many languages that this fun teaching application allows users to utilize. Write JavaScript code as small snippets of a game and witness the results of your code as you destroy monsters or navigate your hero through treacherous caves.

Mozilla Developer Network JavaScript Guide — For individuals who like their information laid out before them and just want to jump around to whichever topic their heart desires, then it’s tough to go wrong with the MDN JavaScript Guide.

CodeSchool JavaScript Roadtrip — A polished and “gamified” interactive tutorial that aims to teach you the fundamentals of JavaScript while also providing short video lectures on critical subjects while you progress.

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The 9 Best Programming Books to Read Right Now if You Want to Distinguish Yourself

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If you read just one of these best programming books this year you’ll be a step ahead of nearly everyone around you. That’s because, according to Steve McConnell, the author of Code Compete, one book is more than most programmers read each year.

Back in 2008 author, blogger, software engineer and creator of Trello made this bold statement:

" Programmers seem to have stopped reading books. The market for books on programming topics is minuscule compared to the number of working programmers. Instead, they happily program away, using trial-and-error. When they can’t figure something out, they type a question into Google. "

 Does this sound like you?

** Also Check it 9 Most in Demand Programming Languages Here **

While search engines and community forums like Stack Overflow are indispensable, there’s no way you can obtain the same depth of knowledge and perspective as you get from reading books.

The best types of programming books are ones that don’t just tell you how, but explain the why behind it. They don’t just teach you about specific languages or how to code, but how to think. They stand the test of time and will help you become a better programmer, whether you are just starting out or have been in the industry for 30 years.

Without further ado, here is the list of the top 8 best programming books to read if you want to set yourself apart and become a coding powerhouse.

Coders at Work: Reflections on the Craft of Programming

If you’re curious about life as a programmer than Coders at Work is the book for you. It’s packed with interesting interviews from 15 accomplished programmers and computer scientists including Joshua Bloch, Peter Norvig, Donald Knuth, Ken Thomson, and Jamie Zawinski. The author, Peter Seibel (a programmer turned writer), got interviewees to open up about the famous projects that they worked on and the inspiring stories behind them. Coders at Work gives a peek into what makes some of the greatest programmers tick and how they think. Definitely a must read!

Steve McConnell’s Code Complete is considered to be the encyclopedia of practical coding and a must-read for any professional programmer. And, it’ easy to understand why – it’s a massive piece of literature at 900-pages, but each chapter is packed with suggestions and techniques to improve everyday programming and construct code that is readable and easier to manage. McConnell has a knack for presenting his material in a story format that makes the book easy to read and even entertaining. No matter what level you’re at, Code Compete will undoubtedly change the way you think about and write code.

TIP: If you don’t have time to read the book in its entirety, flip to the last three chapters since it serves as a resource guide. From there, you can read through whichever chapters you want information on. Skip the Kindle edition and opt for the print copy since chapters are easier to reference.

The Mythical Man-Month

The premise of this book is built on the fact that computers change, but people don’t. The Mythical Man Month is a programming classic that discusses the human elements of software engineering. Even though the book was written 30 years ago (first published in 1975) it’s stood the test of time. Why? Because building things, including software, has been as much about people as much as hit has been about materials or technology. If you’re aspiring to become a project manager, this book will help you understand things that can go wrong in software development and will give you practical advice or working with, organizing and managing teams.

Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability

If you’re going to read a book on usability make it this one! Don’t Make Me Think is a great resource for any web developer who want to create websites, mobile sites or mobile apps that are much easier to use. The book is loaded with helpful information that’s presented in a clear and concise way that could be understood by both technical and non-technical audiences alike.

The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master

Another oldie, but goody, that continues to stand the test of time. The Pragmatic Programmer is a collection of lessons and recommendations for software developers. The book contains a set of numbered tips, about 70 of them, which are collected on a single tear-out card situated in the back of the book. The tips alone might seem obvious, but they contain some surprising dimensions that will help strengthen your programming career and hone your craft! 

Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

Poorly written code can bring a project to its knees, which is why developing great code is so important! In Clean Code, “Uncle Bob” Martin shares tips and examples on how to create better code. The book dives into the principles and best practices of writing clean code, and also presents increasingly challenging case studies presented that challenges readers to think about what’s right with the code, and what’s wrong with it. While examples in Clean Code are given in Java, but is applicable to nearly all programming languages.

TIP: Read Clean Code after getting through Code Complete since it deals with some of the same topics but at a higher level.

Programming Pearls

This is a classic book for newbies that teaches the basics of solving problems. If you work through the problems on your own (without looking ahead) you’ll learn a lot and be a much stronger programmer with a deeper understanding of algorithms and algorithm design.

Cracking the Coding Interview: 150 Programming Questions and Solutions

This is one of the go-to books for programming interviews if you’re looking to land a gig at a top company such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google or Microsoft. As the title suggests, the book contains 150 programming questions that you might encounter at interviews, and then breaks down how to solve them. The remainder of the book focuses on non-coding aspects of the interview process such as interview prep, resume prep, behavioral prep, etc. Definitely one of the best programming interview books out there. Another good prep book is Introduction to Algorithms , which is considered to be the “bible of algorithms.”  

Soft Skills: The software developer’s life manual

For most software developers, coding is the fun part. The hard parts involve dealing with clients, peers, and managers, staying productive, achieving financial security and so on. This book covers everything-else-apart-from-coding ranging from career, to personal branding, blogging, learning, teaching, finances, and even fitness and relationships.

Zero Bugs and Program Faster

The author of Zero Bugs spent two years researching every bug avoidance technique she could find. This book contains the best of them! It includes useful tips and techniques, and presents information in an easy-to-digest way and brought to life with stories and metaphors that make it a really enjoyable (and memorable) read.

Have any other “must read” ,  books that you would add to the list? Share!

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