If you are new to the tech world, you might think of coding as a strenuous exercise. That assumption makes perfect sense because you’re basically trying to “communicate” with computers. In essence, coding is the act of using a programming language to tell computers what actions or tasks to perform.
There are a lot of things you can do with coding. Some say coding is the best outlet to let your creativity flag fly. Even with the most basic knowledge of JavaScript, for instance, you can easily add interactive features to your web pages or create mini-games. If you know HTML and CSS, you can transform the look of your website.
On a more serious note, coding is one of the top skills employers look for in new recruits across all industries. It’s not all fun and games with coding; it can also be the tool that nudges you toward a lucrative career. According to PayScale, computer coders make an average of $62,984 annually.
Coding is not for everyone, but a little patience goes a long way. If you want to try your hand at this skill, read on as we uncover the best websites you can visit to learn to code at literally zero cost.
This open-source online platform is a brainchild of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It partners with over 90 prestigious institutes to provide more than 2,000 university level-courses that cover all types of disciplines.
Under the computer science category, users can learn for free major programming languages, frameworks, and tools like Azure, DevOps, Django, and JavaScript.
If you have mastered the fundamentals, you can also pursue more complex topics such as Python, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Machine Learning, and Quantum Computing. Industry professionals supply the courses, so you know the materials are of high quality. Students receive a certificate of completion from edX.
Khan Academy is a non-profit that aims to provide free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. It is also famous for its educational video tutorials that cover a slew of subjects concisely and engagingly. The organization has produced over 6,500 video lessons to date.
Its courses suit learners of all ages. For instance, the school partners with Pixar for a program called Pixar in Box where it reveals how subjects like math, science, computer science, and humanities come into play during production. Khan Academy offers varying depths of courses, including college-level computing courses.
This is a great resource for those interested in web development. Free Code Camp offers over 6,000 tutorials on the fundamentals of computer science. Its courses are a blend of lessons and projects, which ultimately makes the perfect addition to students’ portfolios.
When students complete 300 hours of learning in courses such as Responsive Web Design, JavaScript Algorithms, Data Structures, Front End Libraries, and Data Visualization, they receive a certificate from the organization. Since its inception six years ago, free Code Camp has produced over 40,000 graduates—some of which were hired by the likes of Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Spotify.
The Odin Project is an open-source platform that offers free online courses to aspiring web developers. It was founded in 2013 out of the belief that education should be free and accessible. It has since benefited close to 300,000 learners.
There are several tracks you can pursue, including front-end development, Java, and Ruby on Rails. According to the school, its curriculum is tailored to be hands-on, so students get to have a taste of real-life challenges that await them when they become web developers. Students are also encouraged to work on projects on GitHub as a part of their portfolio-building efforts.
Other Resources
If self-education is not an ideal learning method for you, you can also opt for coding boot camps. Compared to a traditional college education, coding boot camps teach you everything you need to know at a much lower cost.
These are only a few of the many resources to learn to code. Like everything else in life, you will only get results if you put in the hard work. In other words: where you learn is not as important as getting into the habit of practicing constantly. Good luck on your coding journey!