I am helping a friend to transition from substitute teaching (English major background) to a coding career and documenting the journey here so you can do it, too. Below are the four steps to get started with coding today and start your coding career right now.

Note that, for this friend, the plan is to enroll in a coding boot camp down the road / pretty soon. But for now, we are prepping before that part starts. This post covers literally the steps Zero for this process to start so do not hesitate to jump right in. 

Do you have a development computer?

I use Macbook Air at home and personally, I like Macs. But you can use anything to get started. A lot of developers do use Macs so that is something to keep in mind. For example, startup companies will probably give you a Mac for work from what I have seen happen so far (with my brother, etc). Basically, some people prefer Windows OS, and some people Linux OS. Windows is better for some things like PowerPoint, while, typically, development is done with the Linux OS, at least, in my experience.

Mac OS comes with a terminal and is Linux-based, and therefore, development-friendly. But Macs are also expensive…so depends on your budget. 

I pose this question to you so you can get something figured out for the purpose of having a computer to get started with your coding career. Maybe you can borrow one, or use one you have already. I am not trying to add a burden to this process.

Once you have a computer, we should get started with Python coding right now, and jump into coding without waiting for the Bootcamp.

The Bootcamp recommended by my brother (Tech Elevator) will expect you to know some coding anyway, and also doing this will help you to figure out what type of coding you enjoy.

For example, do you want to do Data Science type of coding or stuff to help out with IT problems. There are boot camps for both. For now, let us get started with Python – it is easy and powerful.

In coding, easy IS powerful because you are trying to get something to work, not spend hours banging your head.

Plus, Python is a great skill to have and is totally free. We will put it on your resume when applying for jobs after learning it all for free. The entire data science industry which is only getting huger from huge uses Python (and R, but Python is better IMO).

Read this blog or just skim and follow the steps to install Anaconda to start coding

I talk about getting started with coding/data science with Python. The Bootcamp recommended by my brother (Tech Elevator) is for other types of coding but this will give you a lot of exposure quickly and on your own for free.

How to get started with data science using Python (New to coding)

After installing Anaconda, open up whatever editor you choose (I use PyCharm, and talk about it in the blog above) and copy/paste this piece of code below into a new file called apples.py.

And run it by typing “python apples.py” without quotes in the terminal. We are doing this thing now! If you have any sort of computer, get started with these steps today and we can talk about any problems you face when we meet.

Any roadblocks we will figure out as we go. Let’s get started with your transition to a coding career right now!!

class apples:

# init method or constructor
def __init__(self, z):
self.z = z

def whichapple(self):
if self.z == 1:
print(“I am a red delicious apple”)
elif self.z == 2:
print(“I am a green apple”)
else:
print(“I am a Fuji apple”)


z = input(“Please enter an integer number: “)
apples_instantiation = apples(z)
apples_instantiation.whichapple()

—
Oindree
amazon.com/author/oindreebanerjee