I’m just a random 19-year-old on the internet—not an expert by any means. I’m just sharing my experience and what I’ve learned so far. I’ll keep this updated as I learn more stuff. Hopefully, this helps you get started on your web development journey. Let’s dive in!
I often think, what if I had a plan when I was learning to program. How would I start?
I learned the hard way. From books, friends, and getting my hands dirty. I did not follow a path or a roadmap.
After helping a couple of my cousins, I have come up with a roadmap that helps naive programmers learn the skills faster.
Roadmap
Pick a domain — learn a language —program every day — find a mentor — find a partner — learn frameworks and tool —- find paid
projects/internship — get a job and keep learning
This is a brief roadmap.
Pick a domain
You should first understand there are many domains of
Software Engineering. Broadly categorized, here are a few of them:
- Web development
- iOS development
- Android development
- Game development
- Embedded systems
- Data Science
- Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence
Before getting into professional programming, you need to choose a path that interests you and you want to excel in.
A point to be noted here is — there is no single great domain, each has its own significance, and jobs are there for all.
Find a language to learn
Based on the path/domain you chose, you need to learn a programming language that progresses you on this path.
For example: If you choose web development, you need to choose one of the most popular languages used for the purpose:
- Javascript
- Python
- Ruby
- Java
- Golang
Analyze languages and their future prospects. Then pick and language and start learning it. You need to learn by doing. Implement a few projects to become proficient in the language.
Program every day
Just going through books and tutorial videos will not help you at all. You need to implement what you have read or watched.
Spend 3–4 hours a day learning the language and code simultaneously. I
suggest reading and learning for an hour and about 3 hours coding.
Don't take too much pressure though.
Find a Partner or Collaborate
Once you’ve grasped the basics, find a friend or colleague who shares your enthusiasm for coding. Working on projects together can be more motivating and enjoyable. You’ll also learn how to collaborate on code, a skill crucial for professional developers.
Use tools like GitHub to collaborate, and start with simple projects like:
A portfolio website.
A basic to-do app.
A weather app using APIs.
This will help you get comfortable with version control systems, an essential tool for any developer.
Learn Frameworks and Tools
After mastering the fundamentals of programming, dive into frameworks and tools that are specific to your domain. Frameworks speed up development and introduce best practices.
For example:
- If you're into web development, learn frameworks like React, Next.js, or Tailwind CSS.
- For iOS development, explore Swift and SwiftUI.
- In data science, tools like NumPy, Pandas, and TensorFlow are invaluable.
Focus on one or two tools or frameworks at first. Don’t try to learn everything at once
—it’s okay to specialize and expand later.
Build Real Projects
The next step in the journey is to build actual projects. This is the stage where you apply what you’ve learned in a practical way. Choose projects that challenge you and push your limits. Some examples include:
- A personal blog or portfolio site (for web developers)
- A simple social media app
- An e-commerce website
- A project management tool
The more projects you work on, the more you’ll learn. And don't just settle for easy projects—challenge yourself with something that makes you go, "Wait, how do I even do this?"
It's totally fine to feel stuck sometimes, but trust me, the best way to beat the boredom and frustration is to jump into some paid projects. Not only will you get paid, but you’ll also discover new ways to swear at your code while solving real-world problems.
I guarantee you’ll learn the most when you take on freelancing projects because this time, clients will expect you to deliver full production-level work. It’s like a crash course in professional development—except with deadlines, feedback, and a sense of urgency. But hey, that’s where the magic happens!
Find Paid Projects / Internships
At this stage, you're ready to take on paid work or internships. It could be freelance work, contributing to open-source projects, or applying for internships. This will give you real-world experience and expose you to industry best practices.
- Freelance websites: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer
- Open-source contributions: Contribute to GitHub projects
- Internships: Apply for internships at companies you admire
Programming is a journey, and everyone’s path is unique. Don’t rush; take your time and enjoy the process.
Good luck, and I hope this roadmap helps you on your journey as a programmer! ❤️🔥