8 Tips to become a great programmer in a week

Published By zooboole

1. Stop looking for Source codes, templates, and snippets.

Honestly, I know a lot of people who actually waste so much time trying to get source codes of this and that here and there and lose the focus on becoming a coder of such snippets.

Take some little time and focus on how to code your own code you will see that your skills will start developing naturally in a short time.

It doesn't mean that you will never use third-party software, you will. But when you use it you should be able to know and understand what you are using. Otherwise, it's like you are swimming in an ocean of source codes without actually having one in your head. So every time you need the same code you go through the same process starting by googling, finding the right resource(if it exists again), how did you manage to use it previously, etc.

Solving problems should become a habit in you, not a string of tedious and cyclic tasks. Just take a little moment and focus on what exactly is in the code how can I also code like the way gurus do.

2. Turn off your social media notifications, or never log in

This is a very important thing to do when you need to focus in this new world. Social media can cost you the whole day. Notifications, messages, comments, likes, followers, etc are things that drag your attention in a deep waste of time. Though they are fun, or even help you make new clients and opportunities. Consider this as a charity to yourself for a week. Turn them off or lower and be less social.

3. Look for simple and practical tutorials on PHP

List what you don't know yet and need to know to put your knowledge in line, and make it straight.

Look for some simple and practical tutorials on those topics. Usually, take some 2 or 3 tutorials from different websites on the same topic. Check the most popular tutorials on the topics. Compare them, and make sure to combine what you learn from each one.

4. Follow some famous people or groups

There are some icons in the field. Use them as your TV channels to have news and updates. By following them it's an opportunity to see what people have been doing with the language. That way you are giving some motivation to your mind so that it doesn't limit itself to little things. People like Josh Lockhart, Phil Sturgeon, Taylor Otwell, etc.

Look for some cool forums to join. That will help ask any question at any time and get fast answers. Since it's a forum, many people will react to your problems which gives you the chance to have a correct and valid answer. This forum can also help you make new friends who aspire to code like you.

Check out following forums: Dev Network, Developer Shed, PHP freaks, Coding Forums, etc. Just google for more of them.

5. Read about good practices

This is important in putting your knowledge in clear. Sometimes you wonder what are things or levels in PHP. What is higher than what? What is the latest thing to learn? In which order to learn? etc. These are questions that usually disturb.

You can start by looking at php the right way, then go to the PHP manual to learn each step. After that, you can have a look at the PHP-FIG (PHP Framework Interop Group) to learn how to write clean code.

6. Create a real(your dream) project, like a blog, an e-commerce website, etc.

At this level, you need to close your eyes and do some little things on your own. Try yourself with the PHP CRUD tutorial.

Now Give yourself an assignment. Choose any application/website you dream of creating for a long time. Take it from the start to the end. Every time you have an issue review your tutorials or ask a question on one of the forums you joined. Never leave something behind. Complete each step at any cost.

Usually, creating such projects will take you through all the main steps of creating an application. That will also help you to discover and follow your own workflow which will help you to know how to handle an entire project from the beginning to the end. It will also develop in your spirit of endeavor.

From there you can go back to php the right way and see what other levels you can reach. It's really a great reference in terms of how to organize your learning curve.

7. Try teaching someone all you've learned

I usually say: Helping helps. After all this, you should be able to transmit what you know to someone else. But you may not even know what you actually know. The best way to make that clear is to try. Look for a friend, and try to give him a clean tutorial on how to create the application you just did. You can also decide to give him back what you learned from the tutorials you used on yourself.

And if you can't find a friend to try on, you can try to give a tutorial on Lancecourse. We have an entire audience waiting for you. Our philosophy is to help all programmers of all levels to improve their skills through teaching and practice. After all, you will need to learn, because people will give you feedback on your tutorial; so the learning continues.

With that, you will have a clear idea of what you know and what you don't know. You will discover your levels of understanding of each concept. Obviously, you will make considerable decisions which are how to fix your lacuna.

8. Make a self-review and keep the habit

After that, take a few hours to review your performance during this training. How fast do you learn, what were the traps and difficulties you faced, and how could you get rid of them so that you will have more clear mind to learn? What tools and resources could you need for your next round on that, etc, and grade your performance?

Make a grid of all these metrics and get it clear for your next learning schedule.

Bottom line

This is something I used myself to improve my performance in many fields. It's actually a working technique. Just be faithful to your timetable and do this. I will be expecting your feedback here next week to see how you did. And don't forget to share this with friends.