Code School

Whether  you’re posting a tweet, watching a YouTube video or even swiping a  debit card—our lives are constantly touched by the power of code. Things we use every day, like phones, smartwatches, cars, and even  microwaves have computers in them, and they all rely on code to make  them work.  Use  of code has expanded rapidly over the past three decades, and so too  have the ways you can learn to code.

Gone are the days when a four-year  bachelor’s degree was the only pathway into a career in tech. These days  there are a broad range of methods, programs and courses teaching  coding to suit every budget and schedule. This  article looks at the various computer languages that make up coding as  we know it, and the most sought after skills that coders should have in  their toolkit. We’ll take a look at the Thinkful approach to learning code, and our path to a career in computer programming.

What Is Code?

Code is a precise set of instructions a computer can understand. There are different coding languages that computers respond to, like Python, JavaScript, and C++. Each language is unique in its own way, but they do share some similar basic features. If you’re interested in a career involving coding, it’s a good idea to master at least one particular programming language that aligns with your preferred career trajectory.  

Programming Languages

There are multiple programming languages, and each has its own functions. The top five back-end programming languages are:  

• PHP
• Python
• Ruby
• Java
• Rust

On the front end, the top five programming languages are:  

• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• jQuery
• ReactJS

Based on their chosen specializations, programmers in the web development industry tend to work either as front-end or back-end developers. On top of this, they’re also expected to test applications, collect feedback, and identify and remove bugs to enhance the overall user experience.

Coding Skill Sets: Coding  is highly technical skill that takes time and effort to master.  However, there are certain qualities and soft skills that go  hand-in-hand with coding, and can help you pick it up faster. These  include:

Expert communication skills: A coder needs to work across teams to collect information regarding applications and products. Before beginning a project, you need to present your ideas clearly to any relevant stakeholders. To make sure this goes to plan, you need to be proficient in articulating your ideas.  

Innovative thinking: A coder needs to be innovative to stand out from the crowd. Because user-retention is a major focus of the programming world, coders who can come up with outside-the-box ideas will do well in this industry. Innovation tends to be a process, so you need to constantly learn and update your knowledge on current trends and tech innovations. You also need to be able to empathize with users to create engaging applications.

Self-reliance: In a corporate setting, coders don’t work in silos. They’re  the key link between the client and the company. The company they work  for provides all the necessary resources required for software  development. The sales or business development team generates leads and passes on relevant data to coders. A coder’s role is to research the client’s requirements to understand their needs, which helps them to deliver above and beyond what the company expects.

Authenticity: If  your website design is unique and attractive, users will spend more  time on it. Word of mouth also goes a long way in building business. What would you do if you came across two websites with the same design? Chances are, it’s going to tarnish your perception of one or both businesses.  It also has the potential to attract legal action. So originality and  authenticity are of paramount importance in the coding world.

Learn Coding with Thinkful

If you’re ready to get coding, Thinkful offers a range of learning resources you can try out for free. We’ve created a range of tutorials to help  you get started on your journey to becoming a programmer. Each guide  uses project-based learning to walk you through the steps needed to  build a project and gain a new skill. If you’re serious about kick-starting a career in coding, our software engineering courses provide online  classes, mentorship, and career coaching. You’ll gain all the skills, tools, and the support you need to become a highly paid full-stack web developer. Even better, we’ll help you land your dream job by actively  supporting you through the application and interview process after you  graduate.  

Our Software Engineering course combines  the speed and convenience of an online course with the structure and  support of a traditional degree. This coding bootcamp is a structured  online course focusing on the fundamentals that every web developer needs. You’ll learn by making web pages with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and will be able to build powerful single-page web apps with popular front-end frameworks.

You’ll also be introduced to data structures and  algorithms.  As  a Thinkful student, you’ll get a good understanding of HTTP, FTP, and  JSON, which will enable you to code interactive features onto your  application. You’ll be introduced to basic and advanced modules of API  development, programming, and connectivity. You’ll learn how to store,  retrieve, and manipulate data.

The curriculum includes:

• Web development fundamentals
• Interactive web apps
• Server-side programming with NodeJS
• Advanced frontend with React
• Backend architecture

Estimated course duration: Full-time for 5 months or part-time for 6 months.

Learning with Thinkful

Starting a new career can be challenging. We make sure our courses are in line with our students’  expectations. That’s why we’re one of the fastest growing online  bootcamps. And just because you’re learning online, doesn’t mean you  sacrifice support and personalized guidance. Our admissions process and  ongoing support includes:

Peer to peer learning: Peer to peer learning helps you to benchmark and improve over time. After enrolling, you’ll be matched with a small group where you can share knowledge and develop awareness together. Local events will be conducted in and around your area. This not only helps in sharing course experiences but also in establishing professional connections.  

Partner with a personal mentor: Most online programs include course videos. Our programs go a step further with one-to-one mentoring and personal guidance. Our mentors are industry experts who will guide you through the entire course.  

Find a career coach: The job-hunting process can take a long time, especially when you’re unsure of the right way to land your first job. But  what if you had your own career coach to guide you through the entire  process until you get hired? That’s exactly what Thinkful offers, with exclusive career coaches assigned to help you with the job search and interview process. Things like resume and portfolio preparation are simplified and streamlined with the help of your coach.  

Start learning for free: Before enrolling in a program, you should know whether your interests align with the course. The learning process is likely to be much smoother if your requirements match. We encourage students to attend 15 days worth of free trial classes. Start learning for free, and any work you complete during your trial period will count towards your completion of the course.

Mock interviews: During an interview, recruiters will test your expertise, communication skills and ability to handle pressure. You need to show that you’re exactly what they’re looking for. You need to articulate your ideas, as well as solve the problems that the interviewer throws at you. Practicing for interviews on your own can be challenging. With  the help of a mentor, who can give you feedback for improvement, things  become a little easier. After completing the course, mock interviews  will be scheduled to help you get job-ready.