Are you considering learning to code? Perhaps you saw a film that piqued your interest. Or maybe you’ve come to the inevitable realization that coding fundamentals are extremely useful in almost any profession, be it engineering or otherwise. An internet search will bring you a wealth of information and resources that promise you proficient programming skills. I personally prefer reading printed books to get my information. Here are some things to consider when looking for good programming books.
- Author’s Experience: Does the author of the book have sufficient experience in the programming languages you want to explore? There’s no use reading a programming book written by a C+ guru if you want to learn Java. Sure, some of the basics are the same, but ideally you want an author who can relate to the language you’re trying to learn.
- Monolingual book: This tip goes hand-in-hand with the tip above. You want a good programming book that focuses on one language. Take a look at the book’s table of contents to make sure it matches what you want to learn.
- Release Date: While many programming fundamentals have stayed the same, the technology has definitely evolved. Ideally, the programming book you find has been published within the last few years. If you’re buying an older edition, keep in mind that a lot of programming has changed over the past few years.
- Price: A major concern with any purchase, and buying a programming book is no different. The fact is there are countless free resources on the internet that could teach you the basics, and while I love a hardback, I never pay a price unreasonable for a book. It is better if you try an antique shop or look for a cheap price on Amazon.
- Beginner-friendly: Grab a book that’s actually meant for beginners. You will usually be told right on the cover if this is the case. As much as everyone wants to be the next Mark Zuckerberg, some of us just aren’t at that level yet. Take small steps and I’m sure you’ll be programming masterpieces in no time.
If you keep these things in mind, you’re all set and well on your way to becoming a master programmer. You might also want to look at some good book reviews to see if people actually learned from the books you’re considering buying.
Thanks to Mikhail Gordon | #Learn #program #time
