How I Would Learn To Code (If I Could Start Over)

By Dhanian | CodeWithDhanian Explore My Coding Resources → codewithdhanian.gumroad.com Introduction If I could go back to my very first day of learning to code, I wouldn’t do things the hard, messy, and scattered way I did. I’d focus, simplify my learning journey, and avoid years of frustration. In this blog post, I’m sharing exactly how I would learn to code if I could start over — step-by-step, practical, and real. 1. Choose One Programming Language and Stick To It I wouldn’t waste time jumping between languages. I would pick JavaScript because: It's beginner-friendly Works for web, backend, and mobile Has endless job opportunities Huge developer community Alternative: Python is great too — especially for data, AI, and automation. 2. Master Coding Fundamentals Before Anything Else Skipping fundamentals is a mistake. I’d focus deeply on: Variables & Data Types Functions & Parameters Loops & Conditions Arrays & Objects Debugging & Problem Solving Strong fundamentals make everything easier later. 3. Build Real Projects From Day One Theory is good, but building is better. I would create small but real projects like: Calculator To-do List Weather App Quiz Game My Personal Portfolio Projects teach faster than tutorials. 4. Learn Git & GitHub Early Version control is a must-have skill. I’d learn to: Use Git commands Push code to GitHub Collaborate with others Host my projects online 5. Learn HTML & CSS Properly Even backend developers need basic frontend skills. I’d focus on: HTML Elements & Structure CSS Styling Techniques Responsive Design Flexbox & CSS Grid Mobile-First Design 6. Master JavaScript Beyond Basics Once comfortable, I’d go deeper into: ES6+ Features DOM Manipulation Asynchronous JavaScript Fetch API & Promises Modules & Components 7. Learn a Popular Framework Frameworks help you build faster and smarter. I’d choose one: React.js (Frontend) or Node.js with Express (Backend) Not both at the same time. 8. Understand Databases Storing data is a key skill. I’d learn: MongoDB for NoSQL MySQL or PostgreSQL for SQL CRUD Operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) 9. Learn APIs & JSON Almost every modern app uses APIs. I’d understand: REST API Basics Fetching Data from APIs Sending Data to APIs JSON Data Format 10. Pick a Clear Path/Specialization Once comfortable, I’d choose a direction: Frontend Developer Backend Developer Fullstack Developer Mobile App Developer Data Engineer DevOps Engineer Clarity speeds up growth. 11. Build Bigger Projects & Contribute To Open Source Experience matters. I’d: Build real-world apps Contribute to GitHub projects Freelance for small clients Work on coding challenges 12. Improve Soft Skills Technical skills are not enough. I’d also improve: Googling Effectively Reading Documentation Writing Clean Code Time Management Communication Skills 13. Monetize My Skills Coding opens doors to earning online. I’d explore: Freelancing Building SaaS Products Selling Ebooks or Courses Creating Coding Content Selling Templates & Code → Like this: codewithdhanian.gumroad.com Final Words To My Past Self "Consistency beats speed. Focus beats hype. Projects beat tutorials. And coding is a life-changing skill — if you treat it seriously." Ready To Start Smarter? Explore my coding ebooks, resources, and tools: → codewithdhanian.gumroad.com Start slow. Be patient. Build daily. The results will follow.

Apr 7, 2025 - 05:19

How I Would Learn To Code (If I Could Start Over)

By Dhanian | CodeWithDhanian

Explore My Coding Resources → codewithdhanian.gumroad.com

Introduction

If I could go back to my very first day of learning to code, I wouldn’t do things the hard, messy, and scattered way I did.

I’d focus, simplify my learning journey, and avoid years of frustration.

In this blog post, I’m sharing exactly how I would learn to code if I could start over — step-by-step, practical, and real.

1. Choose One Programming Language and Stick To It

I wouldn’t waste time jumping between languages. I would pick JavaScript because:

It's beginner-friendly
Works for web, backend, and mobile
Has endless job opportunities
Huge developer community

Alternative: Python is great too — especially for data, AI, and automation.

2. Master Coding Fundamentals Before Anything Else

Skipping fundamentals is a mistake. I’d focus deeply on:

Variables & Data Types
Functions & Parameters
Loops & Conditions
Arrays & Objects
Debugging & Problem Solving

Strong fundamentals make everything easier later.

3. Build Real Projects From Day One

Theory is good, but building is better. I would create small but real projects like:

Calculator
To-do List
Weather App
Quiz Game
My Personal Portfolio

Projects teach faster than tutorials.

4. Learn Git & GitHub Early

Version control is a must-have skill. I’d learn to:

Use Git commands
Push code to GitHub
Collaborate with others
Host my projects online

5. Learn HTML & CSS Properly

Even backend developers need basic frontend skills. I’d focus on:

HTML Elements & Structure
CSS Styling Techniques
Responsive Design
Flexbox & CSS Grid
Mobile-First Design

6. Master JavaScript Beyond Basics

Once comfortable, I’d go deeper into:

ES6+ Features
DOM Manipulation
Asynchronous JavaScript
Fetch API & Promises
Modules & Components

7. Learn a Popular Framework

Frameworks help you build faster and smarter. I’d choose one:

React.js (Frontend) or
Node.js with Express (Backend)

Not both at the same time.

8. Understand Databases

Storing data is a key skill. I’d learn:

MongoDB for NoSQL
MySQL or PostgreSQL for SQL
CRUD Operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete)

9. Learn APIs & JSON

Almost every modern app uses APIs. I’d understand:

REST API Basics
Fetching Data from APIs
Sending Data to APIs
JSON Data Format

10. Pick a Clear Path/Specialization

Once comfortable, I’d choose a direction:

Frontend Developer
Backend Developer
Fullstack Developer
Mobile App Developer
Data Engineer
DevOps Engineer

Clarity speeds up growth.

11. Build Bigger Projects & Contribute To Open Source

Experience matters. I’d:

Build real-world apps
Contribute to GitHub projects
Freelance for small clients
Work on coding challenges

12. Improve Soft Skills

Technical skills are not enough. I’d also improve:

Googling Effectively
Reading Documentation
Writing Clean Code
Time Management
Communication Skills

13. Monetize My Skills

Coding opens doors to earning online. I’d explore:

Freelancing
Building SaaS Products
Selling Ebooks or Courses
Creating Coding Content
Selling Templates & Code → Like this: codewithdhanian.gumroad.com

Final Words To My Past Self

"Consistency beats speed. Focus beats hype. Projects beat tutorials. And coding is a life-changing skill — if you treat it seriously."

Ready To Start Smarter?

Explore my coding ebooks, resources, and tools:

→ codewithdhanian.gumroad.com

Start slow. Be patient. Build daily. The results will follow.