10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Coding

So, you’ve decided to dive into the world of coding. Exciting, right? Maybe you’re a complete beginner, or perhaps you’ve been tinkering with code here and there, but now you’re taking the plunge. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure: coding is a journey, and it’s packed with plenty of twists, turns, and “Aha!” moments.

Looking back on my coding journey, there are definitely a few things I wish someone had told me before I started. So, whether you’re just starting or deep into your coding adventure, here are 10 things I wish I knew before I started coding.

1. It’s OK to Feel Overwhelmed

Let’s start with this: you will feel overwhelmed at some point. Coding is like learning a new language, except this one is used to communicate with machines. There will be moments when you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of new terms, syntax, and logic. And guess what? That’s normal.

When I first started, I thought I was the only one feeling lost, especially when I saw others seemingly breezing through tutorials. But here’s the truth: everyone feels overwhelmed at some point. The important thing is to push through. Break things down into smaller pieces and tackle one problem at a time.

Takeaway:

Don’t be discouraged when things seem confusing. Break tasks into manageable chunks and focus on one thing at a time. You’ve got this.

2. Google Is Your Best Friend

Early on, I thought real programmers had all the answers in their heads. Wrong! It’s no secret in the coding world that even experienced developers Google things all the time. From finding how to properly format a for loop to troubleshooting obscure bugs, search engines are an essential tool in any coder’s toolkit.

In fact, the ability to search effectively is just as important as learning to write clean code. If you can’t figure something out, odds are there’s a solution waiting for you on Stack Overflow or a blog post.

Takeaway:

Don’t be afraid to Google. It’s not cheating — it’s smart. Master the art of searching for solutions.

3. You Don’t Need to Learn Every Language

In the beginning, it’s tempting to want to learn all the programming languages. Python, JavaScript, C++, Ruby, PHP… where does it end?

Here’s the thing: you don’t need to learn every language. What’s more important is mastering the concepts of programming. Once you understand the fundamentals — like variables, loops, functions, and algorithms — picking up a new language becomes significantly easier.

When I started, I tried jumping from language to language, thinking that would make me a better coder faster. But in reality, it slowed me down because I wasn’t truly mastering any of them. Stick to one or two languages, and the rest will come with time.

Takeaway:

Focus on learning programming fundamentals first. You don’t need to master every language right away.

4. Debugging Is Half the Battle

If there’s one thing I wish someone had told me early on, it’s that half of coding is debugging. I used to think coding was just writing a bunch of lines, running the program, and voilà — it works. Oh, how naive I was!

In reality, coding often involves writing, testing, and finding out why things didn’t work as expected. Learning how to debug efficiently is a skill in itself. The faster you accept that debugging is part of the process, the less frustrating it becomes.

Pro tip: When you encounter a bug, instead of getting frustrated, treat it like a puzzle. Break it down, isolate the problem, and tackle it methodically. It’s a skill that will make you a better coder over time.

Takeaway:

Coding isn’t just about writing code — it’s about debugging too. Embrace it, and don’t let it discourage you.

5. Start Small, Build Slowly

When I started, I wanted to build big, impressive projects right away. “I’ll build a game!” I thought. Or maybe a full-fledged website! But I quickly realized that starting small is key to success.

Building a simple program that prints “Hello, World!” may not seem glamorous, but it lays the foundation. Every massive app or website you use today started with simple blocks of code. So, take your time, start with small projects, and gradually build up your skills. Trust me, you’ll get to those big projects eventually.

Takeaway:

Be patient. Start small, learn the basics, and build up your skills gradually. Great things take time.

6. You’ll Never Know Everything (And That’s Okay)

At the beginning of my journey, I thought that to be a great programmer, I needed to know everything. But the truth is, you’ll never know everything — no one does! The tech world is constantly evolving, and new languages, frameworks, and tools are introduced regularly.

Instead of trying to know everything, focus on learning how to adapt and how to learn. Knowing how to pick up new tools or frameworks quickly is far more valuable than trying to memorize every single detail.

Takeaway:

It’s impossible to know everything. Focus on becoming adaptable and learning how to learn.

7. Version Control Will Save Your Life

If I could go back in time, I’d start using version control (like Git) from day one. It’s a tool that tracks changes in your code, so if something breaks, you can revert to a previous version. It’s also crucial when working on team projects, as it helps manage different versions of code efficiently.

I learned the hard way after spending hours trying to fix something, only to break everything in the process. If I had been using version control, I could’ve reverted to the last working version in seconds.

Takeaway:

Learn version control early. It will save you countless hours of frustration.

8. Learning to Code Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

When I first started coding, I was obsessed with the idea of mastering it quickly. I’d stay up late, binge-watch tutorials, and take on way too many challenges at once. The problem? I was sprinting in what is really a marathon.

Coding is something you’ll keep learning over time. It’s a journey that requires consistent effort, not just short bursts of intense learning. So, pace yourself. Focus on steady, consistent progress, and take breaks when needed to avoid burnout.

Takeaway:

Learning to code is a long-term journey. Pace yourself, and don’t try to rush it.

9. The Power of Community

One thing I wish I’d done sooner was to get involved in the coding community. Whether it’s through online forums, local meetups, or coding boot camps, being part of a community is incredibly valuable. You can learn from others, ask questions, and get feedback on your work.

I used to struggle alone for hours on problems that could’ve been solved in minutes if I had just asked someone else. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Most coders love sharing their knowledge and helping others.

Takeaway:

Don’t go it alone. Join a community of coders, ask for help, and share your knowledge.

10. You Will Fail, and That’s a Good Thing

This might sound strange, but one of the most important things I’ve learned is that failure is part of coding. You’re going to write buggy code. Your programs will crash. You’ll get stuck on problems for days. But guess what? That’s how you learn.

Every time you fail, you get closer to finding the solution. In fact, some of my biggest breakthroughs have come after hours of frustration. Don’t fear failure; embrace it. It’s how you grow as a developer.

Takeaway:

Failure is part of the process. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new.

Final Thoughts

Coding is an exciting, challenging, and rewarding journey. There’s so much to learn, and along the way, you’ll experience plenty of highs and lows. The key is to keep going, even when things get tough. Hopefully, these 10 insights help you feel a little more prepared and a lot less stressed as you embark on (or continue) your coding adventure.

Just remember: every coder, no matter how experienced, started exactly where you are now. Take it one step at a time, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’ve got this!