5 Online Resources for Aspiring Programmers

Having the right resources when you're learning to program is one of the key factors that will help you quickly absorb the seemingly arbitrary concepts that surround the field and develop your ability to apply these concepts to real-world problems. While the abundance of informational resources you can find online does allow you to quickly get into programming without having to do intensive research, it can also be confusing and frustrating to choose which one to follow. To help simplify it for you, here are five you should check out:

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Stack Overflow

Launched in 2008, Stack Overflow is a platform for questions and answers pertinent to programming. Its user base is comprised of both professional and hobbyist programmers, and topics can range from general programming concepts to technological standards and practices. Stack Overflow is a useful platform for novice programmers who stumble upon technical issues in their codebase. The simpler the project or problem you encounter, the more likely you'll find the problem has already been asked on the platform in the past and that it has been resolved with actual code examples. Reading the answers of other more experienced programmers on Stack Overflow is also a good way to start adopting that programmer mindset.

Wiki DLL

DLLs stand for Dynamic Link Library, which is a file found in Windows OS systems. It contains a varied set of instructions and functions that you can call and use on your executable program. Novice programmers often encounter the issue of a necessary DLL file missing within their system or file structure. WikiDLL is an online database that holds hundreds of DLL files, such as Adobe CC amtlib.dll, that you might need. You can download these files at no cost. The DLL files are also well-documented, each one bearing a description, so you can learn about different DLLs and their potential applications.

Mozilla Developer Network

While there is no linear path to learning programming, most novices are encouraged to learn web development as a starting point or gateway into the industry. Web technologies, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, are often good tools to start learning to program since you can actually create projects that you can interact with and manipulate. Albeit basic and limited, these starting projects are a great way to apply abstract computer science concepts. MDN offers numerous references and guides on key topics, such as HTTPs, APIs, graphics, etcetera. It is also a good place to check for recent updates to programming languages and web frameworks. In an industry wherein tools and practices can become obsolete in a matter of months, having a go-to resource for these changes is essential.

MOOCs

Massively open online course platforms, like Udemy and Coursera, have become increasingly common in this day and age when traditional education remains costly and inaccessible for many. MOOCs can serve as an alternative or as a supplement to your existing curriculum. The courses are relatively inexpensive and tend to be more focused on a specific subject or skill, i.e. Python development or machine learning. By working with brick-and-mortar colleges and universities, many of these platforms are also now able to offer certificates and degrees that you can use to bulk up your professional resume as an aspiring programmer.

GitHub

GitHub is the world's largest platform for building, shipping, and maintaining software projects. The platform is being used by more than 56 million programmers and over 3 million companies worldwide. Any code that you store in your GitHub account is stored in the platform's cloud. You can access this chunk of data, record or rewind any changes you've done to it, and save updated versions of your project easily. You can also find a wide range of useful community-approved packages or modules that you can download and install to use on your own project.

 

These are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to useful resources that programmers can find as they venture off into the world of software development. Other tools and resources you may find useful include W3Schools, coding challenge platforms like Codewars, and technology-centric communities like IndieHackers. Keep in mind the resources that will best suit you depend on what you want to learn and what you want to accomplish as a programmer.