New Student

[9SeaLords]

My name is Albert from Ghana, I am student learning mobile phone and laptop repairs, my level of education is High school, I have good typing skills, and I have very little knowledge of computer hardware and software. I have interest in coding and programming, but I don't know where to start and which course to choose. I don't know how to use this Platform, new to GitHub. Please I need help

[Lut-Lat-Aung]

Welcome, Albert! It’s great that you’re interested in getting started with coding and programming. Even with limited experience, you can definitely find a good starting point and work your way up. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find your footing, choose a learning path, and start using platforms like GitHub effectively.

1. Understand Your Goals and Interests

Before diving in, think about why you want to learn coding. Are you interested in creating websites? Developing mobile apps? Automating tasks? Troubleshooting software? Identifying what you’d like to achieve can help you pick the right programming language and learning track.

Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Mobile App Development: Java or Kotlin (for Android), Swift (for iOS), or cross-platform frameworks like Flutter (Dart) or React Native (JavaScript)
General-Purpose Programming & Automation: Python is a great starting point
Computer Hardware and Low-Level Understanding: C/C++ might be interesting later

As a beginner, it’s often easiest to start with something high-level and readable, such as Python or JavaScript, because they have large communities, many learning resources, and relatively simple syntax.
2. Choose a Programming Language to Start With

Python is one of the most beginner-friendly languages. It’s used in web development, data analysis, scripting, and even some mobile and desktop applications. Its large community and wealth of tutorials make it a great first language.

If you’re more drawn to making web pages or interactive apps, starting with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will let you see results quickly in your web browser.

Recommendation: If you’re unsure, start with Python. It will give you a solid foundation in coding concepts that you can later apply to other languages.
3. Find Quality Learning Resources

There are many free and low-cost learning resources available online:

Online Interactive Tutorials:
    FreeCodeCamp – Great for web development and JavaScript.
    W3Schools – Good for HTML, CSS, JavaScript basics.
    Codecademy – Interactive courses in many languages.
    Khan Academy – Beginner-friendly programming lessons.

Video Courses:
    YouTube Channels: Corey Schafer (Python), Traversy Media (Web Dev), Programming with Mosh, FreeCodeCamp channel
    MOOCs: Coursera, edX, Udemy often have comprehensive beginner programming courses.

Documentation and Official Guides:
    Python Official Documentation
    MDN Web Docs for web technologies

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

Write small programs as soon as you understand the basics. Start simple:

For Python: Print statements, simple arithmetic, then move on to loops, functions, and basic data structures.
For Web: Create a simple webpage, add styling, then include JavaScript for interaction.

The key to learning programming is consistent practice. Don’t just read or watch tutorials—try the exercises.
5. Understanding and Using GitHub

GitHub is a platform that helps you store, manage, and share your code. It’s also widely used in professional settings. To get started:

Create a GitHub Account:
    Go to https://github.com and sign up for a free account.

Learn Basic Git Commands:
Git is the version control system used with GitHub. Start with the basics:
    git init: Initialize a local Git repository
    git add .: Add changes to the staging area
    git commit -m "Message": Commit changes with a descriptive message
    git push: Push your changes from your local machine to GitHub
    git pull: Pull the latest changes from GitHub to your local machine

Follow GitHub’s Learning Guides:
    GitHub Docs has a “Hello World” guide for beginners.
    Search YouTube for “GitHub for Beginners” tutorials.

Start a Simple Project and Upload It:
    Maybe create a small Python script (like a calculator) or a simple HTML page.
    Initialize a local Git repository, commit your files, and push them to a new repository on GitHub.

6. Join Communities and Ask Questions

You’re not alone. Programming is often a community effort, and many people are happy to help beginners:

Online Forums and Q&A:
    Stack Overflow – Great for coding questions.
    Reddit – Communities dedicated to beginner programmers.

Local Meetups or Clubs:
    Look for local coding groups or student clubs in Ghana. You might find study partners or mentors.

7. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Don’t try to learn everything at once. Break your learning journey into small steps:

Month 1: Learn basic syntax in Python, print statements, variables, loops.
Month 2: Practice functions, data structures (lists, dictionaries), and simple projects.
Month 3: Explore object-oriented programming concepts, build a small real-world application (like a to-do list app).

As you gain confidence, you can then explore more advanced topics or new languages.

[mecodeatlas]

Thanks for posting in the GitHub Community, @9SeaLords!

We're happy you're here! To get the best responses, it's important to post in the most relevant category. The Programming Help category is for questions about software development, programming concepts, project feedback, and discussions on open source tools or packaging.

It looks like your question belongs in the New To GitHub, so I’ve moved it for you. Good luck!

[ghostinhershell]

👋 Welcome to the GitHub Community Discussions, @9SeaLords! Happy to have you here 🙂

It's been a while since you've created this discussion, so why don't you re-introduce yourself in our official introduction thread. To connect with other new users, check out this Discussion to Meet Your GitHub Community Team and you can further your GitHub knowledge by working through our GitHub Skills.

Cheers!