A Beginner’s Guide to

Becoming a Programmer

What is Programming?
Programming is the art of giving instructions to a computer to make it perform tasks. Think of it as teaching a computer
how to:

 Create websites  Analyze Data

 Build Apps  And much more...
 Make Games

It’s a skill that turns your ideas into digital reality. Don’t worry if it seems intimidating at first—everyone starts somewhere,
and every experienced programmer was once a beginner!

Which Language to Learn?

Deciding on your first programming language is an exciting milestone. But before you jump in, ask yourself:

What am I interested in doing?

A common mistake is asking broadly, “Which programming language should I learn?” without considering your goals. That’s
like picking a tool before knowing what job you need to do. Every language has strengths in certain areas. By focusing on
what interests you—websites, mobile apps, data science, or something else—the best language choice often becomes
clear.

So with that in mind, let’s explore some of the common paths you can take…

1 Beyond Code 2024 BeyondCode.app

Web Development
What Is It?
Web development is creating the websites and web apps people use every day. Whenever you visit a website—like your
favorite social media platform or a news site—you’re seeing the result of a web developer’s work.

Which Language(s) to Learn?

To get started in web development, you’ll need three essential languages:

HTML JavaScript
Think of it as the skeleton of a website, Adds functionality and interactivity
providing the basic structure. to bring the website to life.

CSS
This adds the style and design, making
the website visually appealing.

Don’t worry about learning three languages at once—HTML and CSS are very beginner-friendly. The bulk of your logic and
programming practice will come from JavaScript.

TIP
Despite the similar names, JavaScript and Java are entirely different languages with different uses.
Don’t confuse the two!

Next Steps (Later On)

After mastering the basics, you might explore frameworks and libraries like React, Vue, or Angular to build more complex
web applications. Eventually, you could also explore backend frameworks to become “full-stack.”

Mobile App Development

What Is It?
Mobile app developers create and maintain apps for phones and tablets. The two primary specialties are:

iOS (Apple devices): iPhones & iPads

Android (Google devices): Android phones & tablets

2 Beyond Code 2024 BeyondCode.app

There are also cross-platform libraries (like React Native or Flutter) that let you build apps for both iOS and Android from
a single codebase.

Which Language(s) to Learn?

Swift Java
For modern iOS development The original Android language,
(replaced Objective-C since 2014). common in older apps.

Kotlin JavaScript
For modern Android development (the Used in cross-platform solutions
preferred language since 2017). like React Native.

For iOS
Focus on Swift. Keep in mind that iOS development requires a Mac because you’ll use Xcode, Apple’s exclusive development
environment.

For Android
Start with Kotlin, as it’s beginner-friendly and the current standard. Knowing some Java can help when working with legacy
code, but it’s not mandatory to start.

For Cross-Platform Apps

While cross-platform frameworks are tempting because you can build for both platforms at once, they come with their
own complexities. If you’re brand new, consider starting with native development first to learn core concepts. Once you’re
comfortable, you can explore cross-platform options if your needs call for it.

Backend Development

What Is It?
Backend development handles everything users don’t see—server logic, database management, and application
architecture. For example, when you log into an app, the backend checks your credentials and responds accordingly.

3 Beyond Code 2024 BeyondCode.app

Which Language(s) to Learn?
Backend development can be done in many languages. Common choices include:

JavaScript (NodeJS) Java (Spring)

Popular for building APIs and A long-standing language often used
real-time services. in large, established systems.

Python (Flask)
Common in building APIs and
data-driven services.

Most developers don’t start their careers purely as backend developers. Often, web developers grow into backend roles as
they learn more about servers, APIs, and databases. Eventually, some choose to specialize entirely in backend development.

Note
A “Full-Stack Developer” is someone proficient in both frontend (web development) and backend
(server-side) development.

Data Analysis & Data Science

What Is It?
Data analysts and scientists work with large datasets to identify trends, generate insights, and solve complex problems.
You’ll often visualize data, run experiments, and communicate findings.

Which Language(s) to Learn?

Python SQL
The most popular choice, with powerful Used for querying and managing
libraries like Pandas and NumPy. data stored in databases.

R
A language designed for statistical
analysis and data visualization.

Most beginners start with Python due to its versatility and the availability of great data science tools. SQL is also essential
for interacting with databases, but it’s straightforward to learn.

4 Beyond Code 2024 BeyondCode.app

Next Steps (Later On):
As you progress, consider tools like Jupyter Notebooks for interactive data exploration and libraries like matplotlib or Plotly
for visualization.

Machine Learning & AI

What Is It?
Machine Learning is a subset of Data Science focused on building models that can make predictions, classify information,
or even generate content. Models can vary widely—from generating images (DALL-E) to having conversations (GPT).

Which Language(s) to Learn?

Python
Dominant in this field due to frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch.

You’ll combine programming with knowledge of math, statistics, and algorithms. Machine Learning often sits at the
intersection of traditional programming and data science.

Game Development
What Is It?
Game developers build everything from small indie games to large-scale AAA titles. You’ll create interactive experiences,
design gameplay mechanics, and optimize graphics performance.

Which Language(s) to Learn?

C++ Python
The industry standard for high- Good for learning game logic and
performance engines like Unreal. creating smaller projects or prototypes.

C#
Widely used with the Unity engine
for 2D and 3D games.

For bigger games or a career at a large studio, C++ is key (though it’s not the easiest to learn first). For smaller or indie
games, C# (with Unity) or Python can help you get started more quickly.

5 Beyond Code 2024 BeyondCode.app

Cybersecurity

What Is It?
Cybersecurity professionals focus on protecting computers, networks, and data from theft, damage, or unauthorized
access. They often perform vulnerability assessments, ethical hacking, and incident response to ensure systems remain
secure.

Which Language(s) to Learn?

While cybersecurity relies heavily on understanding how systems, networks, and protocols work, knowing a bit of
programming can be very useful. Programming skills help automate tasks, analyze malware, or test system defenses.
Some languages commonly used in the field include:

Python JavaScript
Great for scripting, automation, Important for securing web applications
and quick tool development. against common vulnerabilities.

C
Useful for understanding low-
level system concepts.

Focus first on understanding how systems and networks work. As you grow comfortable with these fundamentals, gradually
learn some programming to build tools, test systems, and dive deeper into security research.

Just for Fun?

What Is It?
If you’re coding purely for fun or just exploring, there’s no wrong choice. But some languages make it easier to jump
right in.

Which Language(s) to Learn?

Python
Often considered the most beginner-friendly due to its clean syntax and versatility. It’s
great for automating tasks, building small applications, or just experimenting.

6 Beyond Code 2024 BeyondCode.app

Summary of Recommendations

WEB DEVELOPMENT IOS DEVELOPMENT ANDROID DEVELOPMENT

HTML, CSS, JavaScript Swift Kotlin, (Java Optional)

BACKEND DEVELOPMENT DATA ANALYSIS/SCIENCE PROGRAMMING FOR FUN

JavaScript Python Python

High Level Plan

01
PICK A PATH
Start by choosing a field that interests you. There are no wrong choices for your first language or
specialty. The core concepts you learn (like problem-solving and algorithms) will transfer to other
languages and areas. So if you decide you want to do something else later on, it’s fairly easy to pivot!

02
FIND A STRUCTURED COURSE OR LEARNING RESOURCE
Consider online courses, tutorials, or books to guide your learning. Structured courses—like those on
Udemy or other platforms—can provide a roadmap and help you build multiple projects, forming the
foundation of your portfolio.

03
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD
Create small projects related to what you’re learning. If you’re into web development, build simple
websites and gradually add complexity. If you like data, work on small analysis projects, and if mobile
apps interest you, make a simple app. The more you build, the more you learn and the better your
portfolio becomes.

04
VERSION CONTROL AND COLLABORATION
Learn Git and use platforms like GitHub to store your code. This will make collaboration easier and let
you showcase your projects to potential employers.

05
APPLY FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Once you have a few projects under your belt, start looking for internships, apprenticeships, or junior
developer roles. Your portfolio and hands-on experience will be your strongest asset.

7 Beyond Code 2024 BeyondCode.app

REMEMBER
This guide is a high-level overview. If you need more detailed advice and help, explore the courses and resources on
our site.

Every programmer started as a beginner, feeling unsure and overwhelmed. With persistence and hard work, you’ll look
back one day and be amazed at how far you’ve come.

Happy Coding!

8 Beyond Code 2024 BeyondCode.app