Hello there, everyone! In this post, we’ll go through the top 12 beginning coding blunders you should avoid if you want to become a competent programmer. When newbie developers are just getting started with coding, they make a lot of errors. These errors lead to someone becoming a terrible programmer, having bad programming experiences, or taking a long time to learn to code. So, let’s get this party started.
Switching Between Multiple Languages
Switching between programming languages is a relatively typical coding error that many people do. They attempt to study multiple languages at the same time. They begin with C++ and then transition to Java or Python after a week, and then to Javascript after another week. Beginners may also attempt to study two languages at the same time. Consider learning C++ and Python at the same time. It is not a good idea to learn more than one language at the same time. As a newbie, you should avoid making this error. Make a decision on whatever language you want to use and stick with it. Because the main purpose is to learn programming ideas.
Guidelines for selecting your first programming language include the following:
Choose either Java or C++ if you want to pursue competitive programming.
Python is an excellent choice if you want to do some decent machine learning, natural language processing, or AI applications.
Start with HTML, then CSS, and finally Javascript to construct a website.
If you’re studying for a placement exam, choose C++ or Java as your programming language.
Java is a good option for software development.
Python is the ideal option for you if you are unsure of what you want to do.
Not Maintaining Notes
The greatest source for revision is notes. Always keep track of your own notes, whether they be in a notebook or on a notepad. We are all humans, thus anything you learn today will be forgotten in 5-6 months. So, instead of looking for materials again, save your own notes.
No Roadmap for learning Coding
The next coding blunder novices make is failing to create a good learning path for everything they wish to learn. It’s critical to realize that if you don’t have any deadlines, a timetable, or a strategy in place for your whole journey of learning to code, you’ll be completely lost in the world of programming. Because, as you can see, there is no such thing as learning a programming language “entirely.” You should plan ahead of time which subjects you’ll discuss and how much time you’ll spend on each. You could become trapped with one language for a long time if you don’t have a schedule or a deadline, or you may abandon that language in the middle and move to another.
Learning Without Applying
One of the most typical mistakes novices make while learning to code is failing to tackle issues connected to the topic they have just studied. If you’re studying Binary Search today, you should be able to complete at least 4-5 tasks on any coding site, such as Leetcode, SPOJ, or InterviewBit. If you’re studying a language, create some little projects to go along with your studies. Use what you’ve learned! Create something, share it on Github, and brag about it to your friends.
Not Backing Up
One of the most common coding errors programmers make is failing to save their code or failing to keep an online backup of their work. We merely save our work locally and don’t remember to post it anyplace. Imagine losing all of your hard work in less than a minute if your hard drive broke or if your machine suffered some other disaster! What if you need your code someplace else and don’t have access to a computer or laptop? Is it possible to rewrite that? No, no, no! As a result, it’s critical to save your work online for future reference so that you may access it from any location. You can submit serious projects to GitHub and keep tutorial notes and code on Blogger.
Self Doubt / Comparison
When they first begin coding, beginners experience some dread or self-doubt. They want to compare themselves to others, such as their seniors or classmates who have progressed to a certain level while you are just getting started. Therefore you’ll feel like they’ve accomplished a lot in their first or second year, so I should do the same. So, instead of comparing yourself to others, feel motivated by them. Talk to them, seek for advice, and take use of their knowledge. And keep in mind that whatever you’re doing or learning is fantastic! Quality takes precedence over quantity. Don’t try to do too much.
Running Behind Multiple Platforms
There are several venues available for DSA practice and competitive coding. As a result, most platforms, including Codechef, Codeforces, HackerRank, HackerEarth, Leetcode, InterviewBit, SPOJ, Topcoders, and others, penalize newbies who commit this coding error. However, we recommend that you should not prepare for placement by using too many platforms.
For placement preparation, you can utilize Leetcode and InterviewBit.
Hackerrank is ideal for beginners since it allows you to practice syntax in any language.
Choose a few of platforms for contests such as Codechef and Codeforces.
Not Debugging
The next rookie coding error is failing to debug their application. It is critical to debug your program. Debugging is something that most beginners are unfamiliar with. So, learn how to debug your code, how to debug pointers (which allows you to see your program’s flow), and so on. All of these elements aid in the development of reasoning and the improvement of problem-solving abilities.
stop daily practice
Practicing should never be done to exhaustion. Do not give up on coding challenges. It will take some time to re-enter the rhythm of tackling any task if you take a long vacation from coding and then return to problem-solving. To become an expert programmer, tackle at least one coding task per day and avoid these coding mistakes.
Inconsistent code formatting
The next blunder is failing to format code and failing to consider code quality. When people are initially getting started with coding in general, they think to themselves, “Let me learn all this things first, who’s going to look at my code?” Why should I be concerned about correct indentation and formatting? This is a major blunder since it becomes a habit. Then you’ll have to pay for it afterwards. So it’s preferable if you do correct formatting and indentation of your code right from the start. Use appropriate variable and function names as well.
Not Using Comments
Comments serve as reminders to one’s future self. If you don’t utilize comments, your own code will start to appear foreign after a while. As a result, don’t forget to provide comments that explain what each piece of code does. However, as a newbie, it’s equally crucial to avoid over-commenting. Use remarks that are pertinent, brief, and pleasant.
Jumping into Competitive Coding
Next, novice programmers make the error of diving into competitive coding without first learning the fundamentals. So you’re making a mistake if you go into competitive coding without first learning the basics of syntax and data structures.
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