How hard is it to learn to code?

[Cobblersandhogwash]

I'm looking at various courses with a view to retraining. They offer studies on HTML, Python, Ruby, C++.....

It's a good job there are lots of free introductory courses out there. My head is spinning through my research.

Is it really hard and cerebral? I don't mind hard work. I just need to manage my expectations.

I don't code, but work with developers and testers regularly. The main thing I've picked up is you never stop learning and you need some practical experience, reading and on line courses are great but you need a project to apply your learning too.
In terms of employment we look more for people that can show us examples of projects as opposed to qualifications,

my dd did python for GCSE, and has started to teach me some of it. it isn't too bad, because once you have learnt the key words and commands you just have to type them out and run them (if that makes sense).

You need to be really good at maths. It can be very mentally draining and you need to have an eye for details and triple check everything as 1 mistake can multiply quickly

Yes, it's really hard!! There's a reason developers are paid lots of money... Its a seriously difficult thing to become good at. Plus it's never stops evolving. Pick the language you choose to learn wisely... They're all very different, so choose one with the best prospects and get good at it. There's lots of online resources to help, plus look out for coding clubs in your area. If you've a logical mind you'll find it "easier" (but don't be fooled.. It ain't easy!)

I did Python course and it was fine.

Also I work with developers and Python definitely the way to go.

I code to use statistics programs for my work but I'm not that good at maths weirdly! I don't find it that hard but DH is dyslexic and seems to find it a doddle, he just looks at it differently, spots mistakes I can't see. I'd say it's easy to learn the basics but you need to USE it otherwise it's hard to retain the knowledge

I would say it's for people with lots of patience! And enjoy problem solving. And did I say you need patience?!

If you learn to code, also look at learning how to test your code to see if it is secure. There are free tools for this. Static code analysis. Being able to test code is a good skill. I think Python is a good start.

i taught myself to code at 17 or so and use it almost everyday. I now make sure that all my students learn to code. Most of them have never touched it before they start with me but can pick up enough to get things done. you don't have to be a genius, just methodical and willing to put in the work. Like learning a foreign language, but in this case it is a computer language.

Start with Python - there are lots of free resources for learning it and lots of demand for Python.

Coursera is a good way to learn if you want a structured course with a bit of support.

Do you like logic puzzles? Do you have tenacity, can you tolerate frustration & steep learning curves?

I code for a living (Web Developer).
I think deciding on which language to learn all depends on what you want to do.
I use JavaScript for applying graphics, animations and all sorts for websites. Its not that bad to learn but I think python is supposed to be considered easier to start off with. Building small projects is really the only way to improve.
Udacity, edX, Udemy are all great resources for learning. Codeacademy is a nice one to begin with to get the basics.

Following.

Learning to code is a bit like learning a language in the sense that once you've mastered the basics then you really learn from actually doing it. If you go through the exercises but never do anything with them then you'll struggle to truly 'get' it or to retain the information you've already learned.

I self taught myself then got a job after that. I'm no good at maths but fairly methodical. If you do online courses whether free or not make sure you always build side projects, I learnt more just having an idea and go ogling when I was stuck what I needed to do, then I did with lots of the courses even though they good for the foundations.

I don't know anything about coding to be honest but DS started coding at 9ish and has used Python I know (he is 13 now).

Data Solution architect and former dev. Coding is easy to learn but hard to master. Coding courses will teach you the basics and I encourage anyone to attempt to learn. Then you really need a lot of curiosity to start learning more about software design, dev ops. You then need to start to identify what area you want to work on UX Design (not really code heavy, more arty/graphics focusing on aspects like accessibility/how branding fits in/layout/flow), front end dev (web designers fit here, as well as other devs that build what sits on the UI/client side of an application), back end (algorithms, main body of the workings of a programme/server side), full stack (a bit of all of the above). You also get your Data Engineers (more back end than back end developers!) and solution architect (like me!) That design the infrastructure and how everything works together.
You also have Dev Ops (deployment of code into actual real world applications and the testing, integration of them).
You have non code based roles around development like project managers and scrum masters (agile development)
You could also go into technical sales where you need an appreciation of coding but after that just how to work the technology.

There's all kinds of roles out there that learning to code will only scratch the surface of and the basics won't get you a job, you'd need to do a lot of self learning. You'd probably need to find an internship program (there's quite a few for changing career now).

Entry level data base administration is a good way of launching yourself too

I'm a professional coder. I don't think you have to be good at maths, a lot of my colleagues don't have good mathematical qualifications. As pp said it's easy to learn but hard to master. I'd also reiterate the fact you are always learning, all the interviews I have attended recently have asked me how I keep up to date!
Do you know any coders who can help you? It can be very useful having someone more experienced as a mentor when you start. As previously mentioned the best way to learn is to start writing your own projects. Good luck!

I would encourage anyone to at least try and learn.

As others have said, it's best if you have a simple project (a lot of courses will give you scenarios and context)

Python is a good starting language. It has sooo many real world applications. It's huge in data science (AI, machine learning) as well as full stack development. A couple of jobs I've had have been python heavy. Another good language is C# with the .Net framework. Huge amounts of industry use c# and with python you'll have a lot of capability then with cloud technologies, especially Microsoft's Azure. Getting into cloud also means you can have a real variety of roles, some code heavy and some very code light.

You definitely don't need to be good at maths, you need to be strong in logic and be able to really concentrate. You don't need special degrees or anything, but you do need to be able to show your chops so get a github account and start building a portfolio from day one.

Go to Codeacademy and take a couple of introductory courses. Then if you want to go for it, we have had good experiences with alums of Northcoders.

There is a big difference between doing a course on a single programming language and working as a dev. You need to be prepared to keep learning all the time and be self driven. But so long as you are, it's not brain surgery! One thing that is good about devs is it's totally normal to not know what you are doing for the first six months of any job. We're all used to it and support each other. Next year it will all be different anyway!

I do think it's a great career for women with kids as it's so much easier to get WFH and flexible hours, so long as you don't get obsessed with FAANG roles and the whole SV/London circus. I work three days a week, from home and that supports us all fine. (I am mid career, not a junior.)

What are you hoping to do with your coding qualifications? Out of interest

I work in the digital tech industry but not as a coder. Have a look at Django Girls and Rails Girls. They do one day intro courses in Python that are a good introduction to see how you find it. Depending on where you are and your situation, you may find you're able to get onto a 12 week funded programme to retrain. A quick google brought up Code First, Northcoders etc, have a good look around.

It is worth bearing in mind that there are other careers in technology that aren't coding. uX Design, Product/Project management. Places like the BBC offer regular trainee programmes, there is a womens return to work programme as well. Worth mentioning in case you are near one of their main offices.

I’ve recently learned to do basic coding for stats using R. It was a very steep learning curve at first but with persistence (and a lot of frustration) I’ve managed to make good progress.

Agree with pp who said you need to use it - it’s amazing how quickly you forget it if you’re not using it regularly. I’m not great at maths but pretty good at languages and so could see the links between different commands.

My brother is a northcoders graduate having changed career a few years ago. He loves it!

Got to love R and it frustrating error messages, or is that just me

Gaffamate I don’t think I’ve ever sworn as much as I did when learning R, and I am pretty sweary!

It really was “computer says no” at times. The rage was strong! But it felt so good when the code worked