Overcoming Coding Challenges: The Beauty of Programming

Coding is essential to many IT careers, from software engineering and web development to cybersecurity and data science. For many, learning to code can feel like a formidable task. If you’re new to programming, you might discover that the difficulty lies less in writing code and more in resolving coding issues during the debugging stage. However, this problem-solving process is integral to building functional code. As Boris Meinardus explains, “Writing code is not actually coding. Debugging is coding.” 

As you develop your programming skills and learn to overcome coding challenges, it's important to remember that mastery takes time. Just like the code-writing process itself, gaining proficiency in programming isn’t a one-time event. Instead, it’s an ongoing process requiring patience and persistence. 

Coding Challenges: Practice Makes Perfect 

Debugging is both an art and a science. The ability to find and resolve coding issues sets beginner programmers apart from seasoned professionals. While encountering bugs can be frustrating, debugging provides valuable opportunities to learn new problem-solving strategies. For example, suppose you run your code in a Python interpreter and receive an error message. Having encountered this situation before, you quickly realize that the problem is caused by a missing index on a data frame. Each time you fix an error, you add a tool to your programmer toolbox. 

Computer Programming Challenges 

Many people start learning programming languages with the expectation that once they know the syntax, they’ll immediately write flawless code. However, building proficiency in JavaScript, PHP, Python, R, and other languages is a very gradual—yet highly rewarding—process.  

To become an expert programmer, you’ll need to practice applying code to a wide variety of scenarios. There's no rushing this step. By writing code and observing your errors, you can identify their root cause and learn to correct them. Typos, spelling mistakes, mismatched parentheses, and countless other slipups can cause code to malfunction. Encountering and overcoming these problems is an essential part of the learning process.  

Sharpen Your Skills with Practice Coding Problems

Like any skill, learning how to code takes practice. Fortunately, as an aspiring coder, you have access to a wealth of helpful online resources. For example, coding challenge websites help you enhance your abilities through increasingly difficult practice exercises. By solving the programming problems on the website, you can determine your strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and perfect your coding techniques. Additionally, employers frequently use these websites to test job candidates. So, tackling the coding challenges has the added benefit of helping you prepare for job interviews. The following challenge websites offer invaluable opportunities to improve your coding and problem-solving skills: 

• HackerRank. With a variety of coding challenges and timed assessments, HackerRank is an essential tool for both beginners and advanced coders. 
• LeetCode. LeetCode offers practice problems involving algorithms, binary search trees, system design, and other key areas of computer science, empowering users to develop a well-rounded skill set. 
• Codewars. Featuring a gamified platform and competitive ranking system, Codewars is a fun and engaging way to gain expertise across various programming languages. 
• Project Euler. Project Euler features Fibonacci calculations and computational problems sorted by difficulty to help users develop skills in both programming and mathematics.
• Codecademy. Aimed at beginners, this website gives users immediate feedback on code, allowing them to spot and correct mistakes in real time. 

Competitive programming offers another fun approach to coding practice. In these events, programmers compete individually or on a team to solve coding problems in a fixed amount of time. Participating in a competition not only expands your coding prowess but also creates opportunities to connect with fellow programmers. 

Coding Problems: A Natural Part of Learning Programming 

Dealing with errors during the debugging process requires significant mental fortitude. Programmers can sometimes feel inadequate when struggling to solve a coding problem. They may assume that a high number of returned errors indicates a lack of coding expertise. However, these errors are a natural part of the learning process. Debugging and dealing with unexpected outputs are normal aspects of programming that all programmers face. Instead of being frustrated by errors and bugs, remember that you’re developing both coding aptitude and mental resilience by solving them.

Strategies for Building Programming Skills  

In addition to coding practice websites and programming competitions, you can use mental strategies to strengthen your coding ability. Two techniques commonly used by athletes can also be applied to the process of learning to code. The first involves visualizing your program running correctly. By imagining a successful outcome, you can boost your confidence and alleviate some of the stress associated with coding problems. The second strategy is one used by runners. Many new runners hesitate to call themselves “runners,” instead reserving that label for those who complete marathons or other impressive feats. However, anyone who runs—even for a few minutes—is a runner. Similarly, some people believe that they're not programmers if they’re not working as software engineers or in other programming-focused jobs. However, if you write code, you are indeed a programmer. Embracing this identity can help motivate you to persist when you encounter obstacles. 

Another helpful strategy when learning to code is to connect with other programmers, whether through online platforms or in-person events. By engaging with the programming community, you can get support during programmer challenges, share your experiences, and learn from others. Additionally, online programming communities are full of relatable programming jokes and memes, which can provide comic relief on stressful days. 

Cultivate Your Coding Expertise with a Degree from WGU

Programming is essential to a wide variety of careers in IT and beyond, so learning to code is well worth the effort. If you’re ready to master the art of programming, earning a B.S. in Computer Science from WGU can pave the way to success. WGU’s computer science degree program incorporates insights from industry leaders and employers, ensuring that you’ll gain the skills you need to be competitive in the IT field. The degree covers computer theory, data structures, architecture and systems, AI, information security, scripting and programming, and other computer science essentials. Our online, competency-based learning format allows you to study at a pace that suits your needs and current skill level. By putting in extra effort, you can even speed up your progress and graduate earlier, saving time and money. Get started by applying today.