No. You don’t need a formal education to learn how to code on a professional level.
Yes. It’s not going to be easy.
Learning how to code involves bigger responsibilities than sitting in class and following instructions from a licensed educator.
The first challenge: Find the right resources and learning platforms that match your goals.
Coding as a skill isn’t just for individuals who want to have a career in programming.
Granted, the coding industry is filled with lucrative employment opportunities, especially in today’s digitally-driven world. But apart from unlocking high-paying career choices, honing your coding skills also leads to other benefits:
Without further ado, here are five ways you can learn how to code for free (or almost free):
Leverage free or donation-based learning platforms to master the coding skills you need.
The internet is rich with free learning resources for aspiring programmers, including “how to” guides and step-by-step tutorials. However, it’s more efficient to find a comprehensive learning platform specifically for coding.
You just need to look for the right platform that matches your preferences and goals.
freeCodeCamp.org, for example, contains over 9,000 straightforward tutorials on profitable coding topics, like frontend development, Python, Full Stack, and web development. They also offer certifications in hard, employable skills like responsive web design, data visualization, data analysis, and information security.
An alternative to freeCodeCamp.org would be Codeacademy, which is a freemium learning service with free basic courses.
For a small monthly fee, Codeacademy users can access advanced features like real-world projects, personalized practice tools, and auto-graded assessments.
For more personalized learning experiences, look for freelance coding tutors who specialize in the language you want to learn.
Hiring freelance coding tutors is significantly more affordable than enrolling in a full-on programming course. On Fiverr, you can find highly-rated coding tutors that charge as little as $10 per hour.
Freelance tutors are also more flexible in terms of schedule and teaching methods. They can also focus on teaching real, practical coding skills you can use rather than theories.
Harvard University offers a library of free online programming and computer science courses.
Some of the available introductory courses are game development, Python-based Machine Learning, and programming with Scratch. Despite the limited variety, these self-paced courses are comprehensive and may take several weeks to complete.
Learn coding at your own pace by watching educational coding videos on YouTube—free of charge.
YouTube is the internet’s go-to source of free coding courses. With frequently-updated channels like Intellipaat, Programming with Mosh, The StudyTube Project, and Learn Coding, you’ll never run out of lessons to learn.
Paid eLearning platforms, including LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Coursera, offer a wealth of learning resources on coding.
Some eLearning platforms offer free courses, whereas others offer free trials. Regardless, you need a paid subscription to make substantial learning progress with these services.
If you’re looking for quick progress, hiring your personal coding tutor is the best approach.
Freelance coding tutors can adjust their teaching methods and topics according to your goals.
If you want to get something done today, or if you have specific problems you’re trying to solve, a professional tutor will teach you the steps while equipping you with the know-how to do it yourself next time.
Start today with one of Fiverr’s top-rated coding tutors.
