If you have extra time and want to do something productive, you may want to learn a new skill. Think about coding – it's easy to get started, everything you need is online (often for free), you can make it a career and the possibilities are endless. Literally.
There are many online resources and applications that can help you move from "total beginner" to "master coder". These are some of the best we can find, but instead of putting all of your eggs in one basket, we recommend using more than one platform at a time.
When it comes to learning to code, there is no "one stop shop", so don't be afraid to pick a few apps, try them out and enter what you need from among the parts that suit you.
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1. mime
You may have come across these language learning apps that cause you to practice for five to 15 minutes every day, and Mimo takes the same approach to coding. Create a free account, decide how much time you want to spend on your new project daily, and then follow the exercises as directed.
Mimo is certainly intuitive and easy to follow (even for beginners) and starts with the basics of coding. You can choose from several coding languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Java, Swift, C ++, SQL and PHP), and the platform immediately shows how the code executes when you write it . It is very handy if there is something more specific that you want to pick up. In addition to writing code, you get exercises where you have to catch errors or drag script elements in the right order, so that the learning experience is varied.
There is no web version of Mimo, so it's perfect if you just want to learn in short bursts on your phone or tablet. You can also opt for a Pro subscription ($ 9 per month) which allows you to access more advanced lessons and tutorials.
Mime (freemium) is available for Android y iOS.
2. Codecademy
Codecademy combines step-by-step lessons in your browser with optional exercises that you can do on mobile devices, allowing you to stay up to date with your coding practice wherever you are. Although it is not the deepest or most complete virtual coding school on the market, Codecademy is a very useful introduction to the basics, with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, and explanations of terms and syntax as you go.
A wide variety of application and web programming languages are also covered: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, Python, Ruby, C ++, PHP, Go, Swift, SQL and more. The portal can guide you through “ career paths '' & # 39; & # 39; specific with clear progression from lesson to lesson, but it is also possible to navigate and choose what you want to do: there is a wealth of material at your disposal.
You can start with Codecademy and work for free on 25 courses. Open a Pro account ($ 20 per month, billed annually) and you can access 65 courses, undertake real-world projects, and unlock hundreds of additional exercises. You can try the free package then opt for the paid version if you decide you really want to make a coding career.
Codecademy (freemium) is available for Android y iOS, and in The Web.
3. Programming of the hero
If you are an absolute beginner and want to grow at your own pace, then Programming Hero might be exactly what you are looking for. It's very user-friendly, with jargon-free language and coding challenges that turn into mini-games, so you'll never feel like you are grappling with difficult concepts.
As you progress through the various challenges, the platform will help you create your own game. However, you are still far from being able to code yours from scratch, but at least you will understand the fundamentals of the game. 39; encoding and some of the syntaxes and commands you can use.
Programming Hero is a good combination of coding exercises and quizzes designed to test your knowledge, and it covers coding languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript and SQL. All the basic material is free and expands a bit, but for intermediate and advanced courses, you will have to pay $ 10 per month for a premium account.
Programming hero (freemium) available for Android y iOS.
4. Grasshopper
Grasshopper is developed by Google, and it is one of the most accessible ways for beginners to start coding on this list: you can dive and type and organize orders in minutes. While focusing exclusively on JavaScript, the concepts covered by the platform (including loops and functions) apply to any programming language.
The coding exercises are designed to solve puzzles, with a judicious balance of instructions, real coding and the final results on the screen. To get started, all you have to do is move items around on a screen before you can type something, and the speed of progression is nice and steady.
The exercises are short, so you can jump in and do one each time you have five free minutes on the device you're using: Grasshopper will automatically sync your progress.
The app will not take you as far as other code teaching platforms (you will not get any work behind using Grasshopper), but it & # 39; 39; is a really nice introduction if you are completely new to this field, and its use is completely free.
Grasshopper (free) available for Android y iOS, and in The Web.
5. Avengers Code
There are a wide range of paths available in Avengers Code, from kid-friendly exercises to lessons that can help you get a real coding job.
The coding languages covered are HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Python, with some additional web design and development tutorials (covering more general topics). The layout is easy to understand and includes teaching instructions, code samples and the final coding result, all together on the same screen.
Code Avengers is one of the most detailed and informative websites we've come across, and it teaches you not only how to do something, but also why you do it. This makes the platform really complete, but it is not free – the price starts at $ 20 per month if you pay an entire year at a time, although you can sign up for a 7-day free trial for yourself make sure Avengers Code is right for you. If you don't want a career in coding or you're just learning for fun, it's probably best to go to another platform.
Avengers Code (from $ 20 per month) is available at The Web.
6. Treehouse
Treehouse is mainly based on videos and programming exercises, and although its entry point is still sufficiently accessible for beginners, the platform is aimed at people who are seriously considering a career in coding. You'll get a 7-day free trial, but after that, lessons start at $ 25 a month, so Treehouse isn't the best idea if you just want to play around with a few basics.
Users follow a very clear progression of tutorials and exercises, with a neat sandbox feature called Workspaces, where you can test your own experiences. The platform may seem too formal or too heavy for some (the free trial will help you understand this), but it is a complete code learning package that covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript , Python, PHP, etc.
Treehouse can teach you how to code for iOS and Android, but ironically, the lessons are only available through your web browser on a computer.
Tree house (from $ 25 per month) The Web.
7. Udemy
While Udemy may seem a bit chaotic and prices vary widely, it is still one of the best online resources for anyone looking to learn how to code. This ranges from the basics to the most complex programming concepts, and in that sense it is on par with platforms like Treehouse.
If you are unfamiliar with the portal, you should know that Udemy works like some sort of online marketplace, where anyone can create a course. This means that the teaching styles differ a bit – it's great if you find a teacher you connect with, but annoying if you don't. The quality of the content may also differ, but most of the material on this platform is top notch.
Udemy's courses cover a wide range of topics, but when it comes to coding, you've got everything from web and mobile development to artificial intelligence. There are many things to go through. Unlike the other platforms on this list, Udemy teachers present video tutorials and answer all your questions. Having someone on the other end of the phone, even if it is not an individual learning environment, requires a high degree of focus and focus. commitment, so you should keep this in mind when you sign up for a Udemy course.
And since there is no free trial version, just a preview option and a 30-day money back guarantee, you should definitely check the reviews and reviews of previous users before signing up for a Classes.
Udemy (from $ 10 and more per course) is available at Android y iOS, and in The Web.
8. Dash
Dash offers shorter courses than the o ther platforms on this list, and has a relatively limited focus, focusing on HTML, CSS and JavaScript for web development. But this is not necessarily a disadvantage if you are looking for a brief overview of the basics of these specific coding languages.
The Dash interface is certainly impressive, with an encoding window on one side and a nice preview of its finished web page on the other. You have five well-designed and easy-to-follow projects, including a responsive blog, a small business website, or even a browser game that looks great on desktop or mobile devices. In each, you can instantly see how your code affects the live site, making learning much more interactive.
It is truly an experience “ on rails '' & # 39; & # 39; – you won't be able to create a website or browser game you love without further learning, but it's a good introduction to the basics.
Script (free) is available on The Web.
9. FreeCodeCamp
FreeCodeCamp is a large collection of over 6,000 tutorials and, as the name suggests, they are all completely free. They cover HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, React, Java, SQL and various other coding languages, and if you need help anytime, there are loaded forums filled with pointers and tips.
However, there are some drawbacks. FreeCodeCamp is not as refined in terms of interface and course structure as some of the other entries on our list, and you don't have as much control. In addition, the platform also does not offer mobile applications, so everything is done via your browser on a computer.
Yet, in our opinion, these are all minor details, and not at all decisive when it comes to choosing a code teaching platform. FreeCodeCamp is still very complete, available for free and quite easy at first for anyone to get it.
FreeCodeCamp (free) is available on The Web.