How Soon Can a Beginner Start Coding Like a Pro?

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While various factors directly influence how much time you'll need to learn to code, there are a few that stand out:

  • learning approach (bootcamps, self-learning, university)
  • the time you are willing to invest daily
  • the programming language you are learning
  • the reason you're learning the language (projects, job, personal goals, etc.)

How Soon Can a Beginner Start Coding Like a Pro?

As a beginner, you probably wonder how long it will take to become a respectable coder.

While various factors directly influence how much time you'll need to learn to code, there are a few that stand out:

  • learning approach (bootcamps, self-learning, university)
  • the time you are willing to invest daily
  • the programming language you are learning
  • the reason you're learning the language (projects, job, personal goals, etc.)

With the job market becoming increasingly competitive, coding skills are in high demand and of high value.

As a result, the internet is filled with biased information and unrealistic timeframes that frankly do nothing but scare beginners.

So, in this blog, we'll cut through the noise and give you a clear timeframe to learn to code (based on your goals).

Let's get started!


Time to Learn to Code: University, Bootcamps, or Self-Learning

We've all met students with a University Degree in CS who can’t write a for loop to save their lives. And we also have teenagers making industry-standard software off a 3-month coding bootcamp.

So, it's safe to say that learning to code can take anywhere from 3 months to forever to never!

And before you start thinking, "well, maybe coding is not for everyone," let us remind you again that if a teenager can learn to code and build software, so can you.

Coding Bootcamps are perfect if you want to learn coding in a guided manner. A bootcamp typically lasts for 3 months, and at the end, you will turn into a decent enough coder.

But it has its disadvantages, like a fixed syllabus you can't change and information overload (too much course content in a short period).

As a result, self-learning is the best way to go if you are a beginner. But the time you will take to teach yourself code depends on how much you want to learn and your goals.

For instance, if you want to learn the fundamentals of a language (say Python), you could do it in one to two months.

But if you are learning for a goal (say, a job or a project), you will probably need more time. A project might take 3 to 6 months to get through, and preparing for a coding job could take well over a year.

Programiz Recommends

Binayak Adhikari, Software Engineer, Programiz - "After dedicating more than a year to self-learning, I managed to secure a position as a backend developer. But because of my independent venture into the field, I had to exercise self-discipline and establish a structured learning approach. For beginners, I suggest covering the basics of a programming language in a sequential manner when embarking on your coding journey. Additionally, it's crucial to continuously learn and stay current with the latest technological advancements and trends."


Learning Speed

Not everyone learns at the same speed. Some people can learn to code faster than others.


In the earlier example, we saw how Binayak landed a job in 1 year. But it might not be what you want to do, right? What if you want to learn coding to build projects?

Programiz Recommends

Aatish Shakya, Software Engineer, Programiz - "It only took me three months to develop a project and start my journey in frontend development. Though grasping the fundamentals of programming came naturally, perfecting my skills required time and effort. Patience is key in coding, and troubleshooting can be a trying task, even with google. I believe the beauty of coding lies in its ability to enhance critical thinking and facilitate problem-solving in both personal and professional life. I draw inspiration from the systematic nature of coding and aspire to transfer this knowledge to my personal life."


Background isn't a Factor

While most people assume that only a computer science student can become a programmer, the assumption is not true at all.

In fact, many programmers come from non-technical backgrounds and are still able to learn a language without much issue.


Purpose of Learning

From the experiences we've shared above, different people have different reasons for learning to code. And this purpose largely determines the time it actually takes to learn to code.

Programiz Recommends

Kiran Ghimire, Security Analyst, Programiz - "The world of Cybersecurity has always captured my imagination. So, I learned coding to get into this field. But since I'm still young, I know there is always more to learn. That's why I'm determined to continue learning to code."


Varied Career Options

Since the coding world is vast, not everyone wants to learn the same language or technology.

Some see a future in frontend development, while others want to do Java programming. Some prefer to build desktop applications, and others want to write programs for embedded systems.

So, the time it can take you to learn coding can vary with your career choice.

Programiz Recommends

Saurav Upadhyay, Data Analyst, Programiz - "I graduated college with little clarity on what I wanted to do. But after attending a bootcamp, I found Data Science to be my calling. I decided to get into the field and was able to land a data scientist job shortly after. I found learning to code for my Data science career relatively easy, but it did get challenging when I had to apply my learnings in real life. This is why I recommend beginners to solve problems and challenges that are a level or two above. You may not succeed and have to look for a solution but that's how you will get better at googling, and in the end, that's what matters."


Timeframe for Learning to code

Learning Approach Goals Timeframe
Bootcamp Get skilled in a specific domain 3 months
University Depends on an individual 4 years
Self-Learning Master a language fundamental 3 months
Self-learning Complete a project 3 to 6 months
Self-learning Get a Job 6 to 12 months

What Next?

Now that you know exactly how long it takes to learn coding depending on your requirement, why not take our Learn Python course and give it a shot?


Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a degree to become a programmer?

No, you don't. While a Computer Science degree provides a better understanding of the tech world, most successful programmers are actually self-taught.

If you want to know more, why not give our blog a read, where we explain how to become a software engineer without a degree.

2. How do I know if I am making progress in learning to code?

We recommend you track your progress. You can start off by dividing a language you want to learn into sections and learn each section individually. This way, you know where you are in the learning process.

But if you are too busy to do it, why not take our Learn Python course, which can help you track your progress!

3. How much time should I dedicate to learning coding?

As a beginner, you should spend 2 to 3 hours per day practicing coding if you want to learn a language in a month or two.