Computer Science: 5 Ways to Teach Yourself
Computer Science: 5 Ways to Teach Yourself – Computer science studies are long and not everyone has the time to invest in three or some cases four-year studies. Many carry the misconception that computer science is unattainable if you are not guided by professors, but that is not the case.
Nowadays, we feel the benefits of the digital world more than ever and the internet can bring the classroom to your very room. With the help of the internet, you can master everything you set your mind to achieve. Read below as we share expert knowledge in the field of computer science.
Table of Contents
Why Learn Computer Science
With new jobs opening all across the globe and the promise of remote work, almost every single branch connected to IT or computer science gained popularity. If that wasn’t an incentive enough, resolving all the bugs and watching your first software boot up seamlessly can be extremely rewarding.
These are just the handful of the basic subjects you will need to master in order to have a successful career in computer science:
- Programming;
- Computer architecture;
- Algorithms and data structure;
- Operating systems;
- Computer networking;
- Languages and compilers.
Brush up on the Basics
A strong foundation of sharp mathematical skills is required before you decide to dabble in your first coding language. As things stand, the internet enables you to revise old material that you studied in school, get computer science homework help online, learn practical and theoretical computer science-related subjects, and ultimately, hone your skills on your own with the help of experts in the field.
Before we progress onwards, we strongly advise you to procure a rig capable of handling many tasks at once. Of course, you don’t have to go all out with laptops that have high-end discrete cards, but a powerful machine is required if you want the tasks to flow uninterrupted.
You don’t need to do a lot. There are so many online resources that can help you out start from a beginner’s level. If you are looking at audio books or E-books, you can download the same easily and effortlessly from the pirate bay. Find resources that will help you with your computer knowledge.
Pick the Language
Computer Science: 5 Ways to Teach Yourself – As a beginner, it’s important to start slow so that all the information about CS doesn’t overwhelm you. A nice starting point is to choose a coding language that will be equal parts challenging and fun. For example, one of the most popular languages for beginners is Python, it is easy to master as it reads like English. After you feel confident in Python, you might want to pick up JavaScript and acquaint yourself with node.js as well.
Then you can move on to other languages used to develop software like C/C++. It’s important to pinpoint the field you want to specialize in. If you are looking to become a master coder and website designer, focus on the front-end language – JavaScript. On the other hand, if you want to create all the cogs that make the website run like clockwork, pay attention to the back-end-focused languages like Python.
If you are wondering how to tackle the learning process, you can always purchase books specially designed for beginners or utilize the power of the internet as mentioned previously. Learn the syntax of the language thoroughly, the constructs and how to operate efficiently with the language.
Pick the Specialization
It’s very difficult to master every aspect of CS and the phrase jack of all trades, master of none applies rightfully. Besides designing web pages, you can pursue a career in software development, video game development, information management, data analytics, network and computer security, and even AI.
Have a clear idea of where you want to land career-wise and work towards that goal from the start.
Assemble a Team and Start Working
You focused on the languages and you planned on how your future is going to shape, but now it’s time to put things into practice. Learning alone is never fun, try to gather a group of fellow CS learners and dive right into a project. If you don’t want to start with something complex, opt for easy-to-create such as a dice rolling simulator, a number guesser, a data compiler, or a text-based interactive video game.
You can later use these projects to add to your portfolio which will play a crucial role during your job hunt process. Remember that the CS learning process never truly ends. This fast-paced field will keep you on your toes and you must ensure that you are always up for new challenges.
Final Thoughts
If you are passionate about everything digital all the way from website designing to artificial intelligence, computer science is a field tailored to you. Learning CS by yourself can be extremely challenging but also rewarding, to ease the difficulties that come with CS, consider getting help from experts online and hone your skills to become a master in front of the keyboard.