Learning to Code is a really hot topic in the tech scene. Coding is a great skill to add to your résumé and a great way to work out your brain. Just learning the basic concepts of programing like understanding if/then statements, can really change the way you think. I took AP computer science in high school and although I got like a 1 on my AP exam, the class turned me onto logic problems. In college I loved my logic class so much I majored in Philosophy. These skills have really come in handy at my current job. I sit with a data base developer all day reading SQL and trying to come up with ways to improve Shoptopia’s search experience.
One of my goals for 2014 is to learn SQL (a database language) and Ruby (the hot language right now). FastCoLabs, article What You Need To Learn to Code in 2014 gives a nice a guide for your programing journey. Bellow is a round up of different programs from free to monthly subscriptions that can help you learn how to code – HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Ruby and more!
Understanding The Basics
A Lesson in Formal Logic (if/then)
HTML/CSS
Shay Howe’s beginners guide to HTML/CSS – this is a really comprehensive site to everything HTML and CSS.
If you are looking for a more hands on experience look no further than SkillCrush. Classes are super broken down into quick easy sections, with problems to test what you just learned. When you need help you can chat or email with the teacher and classmates. The best part of the month-long program is that you are building your own portfolio website to show off your skills.
Tip = W3Schools is my go to for any HTML/CSS questions I might have. They have concise explanations and great examples. This is also a great reference cite for SQL, PHP & jQuery
Ruby, Rails & Java
Jumpstart Labs Offers class for Ruby, Rails and Java – courses are tough online thought Join.Me or privately for a team/group. Courses do take place during the day so if you are fun employed this is a great option. Prices range from $585 to $999.
One Month Rails – This course is $99 and includes 6 hours of video. Split up to 2 hours a week you can learn Ruby in a month. There are lots of rave reviews about this program that is built for total beginners.
CodeSchool – Learn a specific path or wander through different lessons with CodeSchool. Learn Ruby & Java with videos and challenges.
Learn IOS (building Apps)
Instructables Creating your first iOS app. CodeSchool offers a few courses on learning IOS from the ground up.
Design & Other Languages
Codeacademy offers classes for PHP, a server-side language (WordPress, Facebook & Mailchimp) and API’s Application Programing Interfaces). Once you have learned IOS you will want to work with API so that you can pull information from apps like Twitter and Youtube.
Treehouse is a step by step program that teaches you to code, design and build an app.
Nicole Classes – Learn Photoshop, InDesign, Typography, Web Design & Illustrator, from this fab blogger.
For in person classes I highly recommend Ledet – I took a week long inDesign class about a year ago and learned soooo much. Ledet offers courses on the adobe suite, google marketing, wordpress & more.
More resources for learning Lynda, Udacity & Udemy
Hey Channing,
Congratulations on setting a goal to learn Ruby and SQL in 2014. Jeff and the folks at Jumpstart do a great job and we’re a big fan of TreeHouse for a background in HTML and CSS! As a heads up, W3Schools can tend to be a bit dated with their material. In general, https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/ is a better resource for things HTML, CSS, and JavaScript related.
If you really want to dive into Ruby, SQL, and building web applications with Rails, I hope you’ll check out Launch Academy @ http://launchacademy.com/ – we’ve been helping folks to change their careers and build lifelong relationships for a while now.
Either way, best of luck in the pursuit of coding knowledge. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to be helpful for you.
Thank you Dan! Developer.mozilla is awesome, thanks for the tip! I will let you know how my journey goes!
I am so crazy about ruby on rails developing and I want to learn about ruby on rails and I have learn t many new things in your post which I have never heard before and this information is really useful in this case. I am very inspired from your post.