Having programming skills can open numerous opportunities in your independent professional career. Although you can learn to program for free with the help of online tools, it is a process that requires practice, dedication, and enthusiasm, among other aspects.

Through this guide, you'll find everything you need to know to learn programming from scratch. From the steps to some practices to embark on your journey.

Basic Guide to Programming from Scratch

What You Need to Know Before Starting to Program

Although a programmer's salary is not standard, it is well known that their earnings are significant, depending on their experience and the area they specialize in.

If you are interested in starting this career, it is advisable to understand the following points before finding out how to program from scratch:

• Algorithms. You must understand how algorithms work and how they are used to solving problems in programming. We are talking about a sequence of steps that defines a solution to a specific problem, which are necessary to achieve a desired result.

• Basic concepts. These are the fundamentals of programming, for example, variables, data structures, loops, and conditionals. These concepts are the foundation on which you can build your knowledge and skills.

• Distinguish between Backend and Frontend. It is vital to understand the difference between backend and frontend development.

In a nutshell, the former focuses on the internal part, the server, and the application logic. The latter focuses on the external part, the appearance, interface, and user interaction.

Technologies Handled by Frontend and Backend

For web development and design, for example, frontend uses various technologies that allow it to create interactive and attractive interfaces. Meanwhile, backend uses others. Let's explain them:

Examples of Technologies used by Frontend

• HTML. Structures the content of the web page. It does this through instructions it gives to the browser on how to display the information.

• CSS. Used for visual presentation, it defines the style and design of the page, allowing for the layout and styling of HTML elements.

• JavaScript. A programming language that adds dynamic functionality to web pages. It facilitates user interaction and the animation of elements for a better experience.

• Vue.js. An open-source JavaScript framework that simplifies the creation of user interfaces. Very useful for building complex web applications intuitively.

Examples of Technologies used by Backend

• Node.js. Allows code to run on the server, facilitating the construction of scalable and efficient web applications.

• Express.js. Focuses on the development of web applications and APIs, with a component-based approach.

With that said, let's see what you should do to learn programming from scratch.

7 Key Steps to Start Programming

The universe of programming has its challenges, but also unique opportunities for freelancers.

If you are thinking of dedicating yourself to this career, we tell you the key steps on how to learn to program:

1. Define Clear and Achievable Goals

It is essential to set achievable goals, ask yourself, what do I want to achieve as a freelancer in the world of programming? Do I want to develop web pages, analyze data, or work with artificial intelligence?

Identifying your goals will help you focus and also maintain motivation throughout your career.

2. Organize Your Time

Learning to program for free involves spending a few hours a week practicing. It is not enough to watch tutorials; you must establish a schedule so that your classes are consistent.

3. Strengthen Your English

English is fundamental in programming, as many of its terms and resources are in this language. Therefore, learn or improve this skill to understand the importance of each code when performing certain actions.

4. Explore Specialized Courses

Today there are courses of all kinds, from copywriting, marketing, and even free AI courses.

You will definitely need to enroll in those that focus on programming to have a solid and structured foundation at the beginning. You can also combine them with tutorials and supplementary materials for a more complete learning experience.

5. Stay Updated

Technology advances rapidly, so it is important to update your knowledge. Look for recent resources and bibliographies to learn to program for free with the latest trends and practices.

6. Choose Your First Language

Deciding which language is crucial to learn programming from scratch. Research each of the options and choose the one that best suits your goals and preferences. The alternatives are plentiful, from Java and Python to less popular ones like Scratch and Lua.

The good news is that many of them are excellent starting points for beginners.

What is the Best Way to Learn Programming?

Programming can significantly boost your freelance professional career. And specialized schools are one of the best ways to learn to program, regardless of your experience level. Just be sure that it is what you want.

These institutions offer intensive training, such as boot camps, which allow you to learn programming from scratch in a short period of time. An example is the 16-week course offered by HACK A BOSS, which teaches you what you need to enter this job market.

Use Third-Party Codes

An effective strategy to learn to program for free is to work with other people's code.

If you analyze a functional code already built, you can notice the effect of each line on the program's functionality. And if you perfect an open-source code, you can always share it with others.

The culture of sharing knowledge and building a community is an essential aspect of the programming industry. By testing the code and sharing, it promotes the continuous improvement of digital products and services, as well as the development teams' ability to tackle challenges efficiently.

Also, by collaborating on open-source projects, you have the opportunity to observe best practices. For example, the proper use of functions, clear comments, and development methodologies.

3 Practical Exercises to Learn Programming

There are several exercises you can apply to learn how to program from scratch, three of them are:

• Join Communities. There are numerous online communities where knowledge is shared and feedback is received from other programmers. If you already know the basics, join these groups, as they can help you in the process.

• Participate in Bootcamps or Hackathons. These are collaborative events where programmers come together to develop software. Hackathons come from the combination of "hacker" and "marathon," referring to programming challenges. These involve teams of 2 to 6 people and have an estimated time to solve the challenge, which can be between 24 and 48 hours.

• Use Open Source. This model is also collaborative and gives you free access to the source code of software. In addition to being able to analyze them, it is possible to modify and distribute them at no cost, thus fostering creativity. It is a great option to learn programming from scratch for free.

Prominent Examples of Open Source:

• Mozilla Firefox.

• OpenOffice.

• Telegram.

• The GIMP.

Conclusion

Learning how to program from scratch can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for freelancers. If you master the basic concepts and acquire practical skills, you can open up new job opportunities in an increasingly technological market.

Whether you are looking to expand your technical skills, explore new areas of interest, or develop your own applications, learning to program provides a solid foundation for advancing in today's digital world.

Moreover, as a freelancer, you can charge with DolarApp, both in pesos if you work in your country, and in dollars if you provide your services to foreign clients.