13 Websites That Teach You How to Code Like a Pro

Long gone are the days when programming was a mystical skill reserved for geniuses like Bill Gates. These days, programming is accessible to anyone with a passion for learning. And lucky for you, there are plenty of websites out there that can help you become a coding master.

Today, I’m going to introduce you to 13 remarkable websites where you can learn how to code in a fun and interactive way.

Say goodbye to confusing setups and intimidating command prompts. Instead, say hello to these educational websites that offer instant lessons and hands-on practice in programming languages like HTML, CSS, PHP, Ruby, and even iOS development.

Not only will you find step-by-step tutorials, but you’ll also have access to tips, screencasts, and best practices from seasoned professionals in the industry.

So, are you ready to embark on your coding journey? Let’s get started!

Deciding Between Self-Education and Traditional College: What’s the Best Choice for You?

Hey there! You know those famous guys like Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates? Well, they’re big shots in the tech world. Cool, right? But here’s the thing: they didn’t all follow the same path to success. Some of them went to college, while others took a different route. So, the question is: should you go to college or go the self-education route? Let’s dig deeper!

The Power of Self-Education

When it comes to self-education, you’re in control of your own destiny. You get to choose what you learn, when you learn it, and how deep you want to dive into a subject. It’s like having your own personal learning adventure! No strict schedules, no boring lectures. You are the captain of your own ship.

And hey, the beauty of self-education is that it’s not limited to any specific field. You can learn whatever you want! Want to become a coding wizard? Dive into programming languages like Python and Java. Dream of becoming a digital artist? Master design software like Photoshop and Illustrator. The possibilities are endless!

I mean, sure, self-education can be a bit overwhelming at times. There’s so much information out there, and it can be tough to know where to start. But remember, you’re not alone! There are online communities, forums, and resources that can guide you along the way. You just have to seek them out!

The Perks of Traditional College

Now, let’s talk about traditional college. Going the college route can offer you a structured learning experience, where you follow a set curriculum and earn a degree. Plus, you get to be part of a community of like-minded individuals who share similar interests and goals. It’s all about that college spirit!

And hey, going to college can open doors to opportunities that might not be as accessible through self-education alone. Internship programs, career fairs, and networking events are all part of the college experience. So, if you’re looking for a clear path to a specific career, traditional college might be the way to go.

But, you know, traditional college comes with its own challenges. It can be expensive, and let’s not forget about those early morning lectures and all-night study sessions. It’s definitely a commitment, both in terms of time and money.

So, What’s the Best Choice?

Well, my friend, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It all depends on your personal goals, learning style, and financial situation. Are you a self-driven individual who loves the freedom of self-education? Or do you thrive in a structured learning environment with a clear path to a degree?

Ultimately, the choice is yours to make. Just remember, whether you choose self-education or traditional college, what truly matters is your passion, dedication, and willingness to keep learning. So, go out there and pave your own path to success!

Udacity, Your Partner in Learning

Udacity is like a special school that uses videos and quizzes to help you learn. It’s perfect if you don’t like reading and prefer to learn from experts like Google employees.

First, you watch videos of professionals talking about the subjects you’ll be learning. Then, you take quizzes to test your knowledge and get better at either logic or programming.

One great thing about Udacity is that it has more videos than any other website. Plus, the teachers are either real professors or experts who have worked in the industry.

The only downside is that the courses aren’t always related to each other. So, Udacity might not be the best place to start if you’re just beginning. Instead, it’s more like a virtual university that can help you learn even more.

Codecademy is hands down the most popular website for learning to code interactively. It’s famous for its user-friendly interface and well-organized courses.

As soon as you land on the homepage, you can dive right into programming with its engaging on-screen console. Codecademy offers a wide range of courses, including Web Fundamentals, PHP, JavaScript, jQuery, Python, Ruby, and APIs. So you can choose the one that suits your interests and goals.

Once you select a course, you’ll find yourself in a lesson with two main panels. One panel provides clear explanations of the necessary code and instructions. The other panel allows you to practice writing code and then checks if you’re on the right track. Don’t worry about making mistakes – both the instruction and code panels will warn you of errors and even provide helpful hints. It’s like having a kind teacher right beside you.

Now, let’s talk about another coding learning platform that you may find interesting – Code Avengers.

I’m here to tell you about Code Avengers, a website that will make you fall in love with programming. They offer courses on HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and Python, as well as web design and development. But what really sets them apart is how they make learning fun. 

Each course is like a thrilling entertainment experience that also happens to level up your programming skills. And guess what? At the end of every lesson, they even have mini games to help you release any stress you’ve built up. It’s a win-win.

One thing I love about Code Avengers is their approach to learning. They don’t overload you with unnecessary information that beginners don’t need. Instead, they give you just the right amount of code and playful instruction, making it super easy to understand.

But here’s the best part – you get to play with the code and see the changes happen right in front of your eyes. It’s like magic! And guess what? Code Avengers has designed everything with beginners in mind, so it’s comfortable and easy to use. 

Plural Sight

Once you’ve completed courses on Codecademy or Code Avengers and you’re ready to continue expanding your skills, Plural Sight is the next website I highly recommend you visit.

What sets Plural Sight apart from other interactive learning platforms is the depth of their courses. They go above and beyond in training and guiding you to become an expert in the industry’s best practices.

Each course on Plural Sight is meticulously crafted with stunning design and informative screencasts. However, I must admit that some of the challenges you’ll encounter after the screencasts might be a little difficult for beginners. The good news is that Plural Sight provides hints and answers to help you along the way.

While the majority of courses on Plural Sight are free to access, there are a few that require a paid subscription in order to access the full course, including screencasts, challenges, and other courses on Code School.

Treehouse

When it comes to Treehouse courses, they differ from other courses in that they focus more on projects rather than just teaching the language itself. This makes them a great choice for beginners who have a specific goal in mind, like creating a website or building an application.

For instance, the Websites course is designed to help you build a responsive website, an interactive website, or even a WordPress theme. This hands-on approach is an effective way to learn the languages needed for these tasks. However, Treehouse also offers a variety of foundational courses that follow a video-quiz format.

With Treehouse, each course is divided into modules or stages. After completing the first module, you’ll have the option to subscribe for a monthly fee of $25. This subscription gives you access to over 650 videos and includes membership to the exclusive Treehouse Members Forum as an added bonus.

If you’re really dedicated to becoming a great programmer, check out the $49 monthly plan. It gives you access to exclusive interviews with top professionals in the industry and workshops with the latest techniques.

Hey there! Have you heard about CodeHS? It’s a really cool website that offers game programming lessons in a fun and interactive way. Unlike other websites that focus on web development and computer science, CodeHS is all about making coding simple and enjoyable!

One of the great things about CodeHS is that it helps you think like a programmer. Their first course, Programming with Karel, is designed to teach you problem-solving skills in a way that’s easy to understand.

The lessons on CodeHS are super fun! You’ll get to use code to control a dog named Karel, and together you’ll complete all sorts of cool tasks and puzzles. You’ll even get to pick up balls and build towers! It’s a great way to learn the core concepts of programming and how to solve problems step by step.

When it comes to learning game programming, there’s a special website called Khan Academy that can really help you out. Along with their awesome game programming course, they also offer a monthly subscription to keep your learning journey going. It’s a great way to learn the basics of game programming and become really good at it. So, if you’re ready to level up your game programming skills, sign up for Khan Academy’s monthly subscription and get started on your learning adventure!

If you’re looking for a more flexible learning experience, Khan Academy is the perfect place for you. While it may not have the same level of structure as CodeHS, Khan Academy offers a wide range of courses that cater to both beginners and hobbyists who are interested in learning about drawing, animation, and user interaction with code.

One of the great things about Khan Academy is that it doesn’t focus on any specific programming language. Instead, it adopts a code pattern that can be applied to various programming languages, making it a versatile learning resource.

To get started, you can join the Programming Basics course to learn the fundamentals. After watching the video tutorials, you can explore the provided code examples to enhance your understanding and clarify any doubts you may have. And the best part is that you can save your modifications as a Spin-Off, allowing others to enjoy and customize your work.

With a vibrant community and countless spin-offs created from just one lesson in a course, Khan Academy is highly effective in helping you learn and grow.

SQLZOO

Well, let me tell you about Structured Query Language (SQL). It’s a language made specifically for handling data in databases. Now, I know that may not sound very exciting, but SQLZOO has found a way to make learning SQL fun! They have an interactive interface and even use smiley faces to keep you engaged.

Since SQL is a straightforward language, there’s not too much to explain. The site will ask you to replace things like city names or population numbers to make it more challenging.

Now, here’s the tricky part. Unlike some other learning platforms, SQLZOO doesn’t give you any hints, answers, or a forum. So if you can’t figure out one of the quizzes, you might be out of luck. It’s just like the old days!

Frontend Masters

At FrontendMasters, we’re all about the front-end! We offer courses that cover everything from JavaScript to SVG, as well as popular frameworks like Vue.js, React.js, and Ember.js. Our approach is unique: we bring the workshop experience to you. Instead of traditional lectures, our courses are taught by industry experts from leading companies like Microsoft, Adobe, Twilio, Paypal, and LinkedIn. You can join our workshops online or in person at our downtown Minneapolis location. This means our courses feel more alive and interactive. You’ll get to see the instructors in action and witness their interactions with the audience. It’s a truly immersive learning experience! But that’s not all. We also have an amazing offering called EggHead.

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EggHead

Hey there! Did you know that EggHead has an extensive collection of courses? They cover everything from the basics to advanced techniques, so whether you’re new to a language or framework or an experienced developer, they’ve got you covered.

What’s even better is that some of these courses are completely free! For example, there’s “The Beginner’s Guide to React” and “Getting Started with Redux,” both presented by Dan Abramov himself, who happens to be the core developer for React.js. Pretty cool, right?

But what sets EggHead apart is their ability to deliver the latest programming practices, tools, and languages faster than any other course channel out there. This makes it a go-to resource for developers who want to stay up-to-date and sharpen their skills.

Speaking of resources, have you heard of TutsPlus?

The TutsPlus course collection has a wide range of options. It doesn’t just focus on programming languages like PHP, JavaScript, and Node.js. You can also explore topics like design, photo and video editing, drawing illustration, and business. It’s a great resource if you want to learn about more than just programming.

Check Out SymfonyCasts:

Welcome to SymfonyCasts! We’re all about Symfony – a PHP framework that offers a wide range of PHP packages, tools, and certification. Our courses cover everything from the basics of PHP and Symfony, to advanced PHP development techniques like OOP, Acceptance Testing, and security.

If you’re serious about PHP or specifically interested in Symfony, look no further than SymfonyCasts for all your learning needs.

Summary

Take a look at this handy comparison chart to get an overview of the awesome resources available to help you learn how to code.

Did you get a chance to explore any of the websites we talked about? What was it like? Maybe there are other cool learning sites for beginner programmers that we didn’t mention. I’d love to hear about your experiences and any resources you’ve found!