Improving Your Skills As A Programmer (for starters)!

One of the most important things engineers should know is programming. Programming is everywhere and for engineers to solve problems or maintain things (related to their jobs such computers for computer engineers or micro controllers etc). All machines are programmed. So if you are studying engineering, there's no saying no to programming. And if you get good at it, you might have a bonus point when applying for jobs. Now, if you are facing problems with programming or you are not good at it, you should know this, its not a difficult thing, all you need to do is work on your logic which comes from your way of thinking.

Following are a few tips that may help in improving your skills as programmer!

Make It Your Hobby

Programming is so much fun, try to imagine it in this way that you can actually make your own programs and tell your computer to do things for you. Once you get good at it, you can even make your own small games. So if you want to get good at it, make it a hobby. Instead of playing video games, code. Coding/programming is the same as a puzzle solving game. You need to solve problems, you need to work on your logic, your brain is used more than in any other game. And if you have accepted something and you have made sure that this is what you want, you are sure to get it. So make it a hobby and do it in free time, not thinking of it as getting good grades, but instead a fun thing to do or a game you're playing.

Book Reading

For becoming a better programmer, you need to read more, much more than just your average class books or lectures. You will need to get a good book for the language you're studying. Always go through the books, its just like math. You will have to become a book worm. Reading other's codes give you more insight that how good programmers write code. Also, books contain more depth and they are sure to give you more insight into the topic you are studying. You can also more about the syntax by reading books more.

Think About The Problem

If you are stuck in a problem and don't seem to find a way out of it, then the best thing to do is leave your computer and take a walk. Start thinking about other things, but in between take your mind back to the problem ( its just psychological, but helps though). Think of real life examples. For example if you are making a code which swaps values.

if a=1, b=2 and the code's job is to swap those values and give a=2 and b=1. If you think of it this way that a and b are two persons with one hand each, and both have pens in their hand how will they exchange? They will need a third person c to help them. a will give his pen to c and take the pen from b then c will give his pen to b. that's how you will have to do the programming. Write the real life examples into an algorithm and then write the code. You will need to be familiar with the syntax of the language, the more terms, functions about a language you know, the more easier will it be for you to code.

Improve Your Math Skills!

I said it in my other post about passing engineering, math is the most important thing. Maths and logic is what majority of programmers lack. If you can work out your math skills, you will develop logic naturally and with the help of these two you can become a better programmer. Apply the rules of math, analyze the problem, extract whatever data/info you have and use your logic to make up code. 

Use Internet

if you're unable to find any solution, you can always search it out on the internet. You can use forums or read blogs, ask other programmers online. You can also take online tutorials at websites such as coursera, cplusplus etc. There are a lot of ways to learn, but you only learn if you are determined enough.

Constant Learner

To become a better programmer, you need to have an attitude towards learning things. Technologies and programming languages are out dated easily, the become obsolete so you have to be a constant learner if you want to become a better programmer. Things change with time and so should your knowledge. The thing which determines if you have become a better programmer is your ability to learn another system or language in a short time. This tells your expertise in that field.

Code, Code, Code

Practice makes a man perfect. Keep coding. The best way to test your knowledge is to apply it daily. Solve problems through programming, the more you solve the better you will get at it. Experimenting with your code is the best thing to do, keep messing with your code.

You can also join online communities and participate regularly, not only will this motivate you to learn, it will also give you insight into the world of real programming. Write comments in your code, that makes it easy for others to read your code and when you have to revise it, it will be easier to skim through the steps. In the end, every wants to become a better programmer, but even natural talent can't help if you are determined to learn and if you are determined enough, nothing can stop you from becoming a better programming.