6 Skills You Need To Become A Competent Coder

Coding is an important skill to have in today’s economy. It can help you land a job, start your own business, or even just make your life easier. But learning to code can be difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start.

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That’s why we’ve put together this list of six coding skills in demand you'll need to become a competent coder. With these skills under your belt, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a coding master.

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Patience

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Coding can be frustrating, especially when you’re just starting out. There will be times when you’re struggling to figure out a problem, and it might seem like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s important to be patient and persevere through these tough times.

Thus, patience is one of the essential coding skills for beginners. If you can master the art of patience, you’ll be one step closer to becoming a competent coder. If not, you won't progress much in your professional life.

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Attention to Detail

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Whether you're coding for a new website or app or troubleshooting an existing one, attention to detail is key. Even the smallest mistake can cause major errors, so it's important to be able to focus and pay close attention to the code. Thus, one of the abilities needed to be a computer programmer is having high attention to detail.

This means being able to identify even the most subtle errors and then having the patience and concentration to fix them. In many cases, it can be helpful to have someone else review your work to catch any mistakes you may have missed.

However, ultimately, it's your responsibility to ensure that the code is error-free before it goes live. With attention to detail, you can be confident that your code will function as intended.

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Organisational Skills

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Coding is a process of organising and structuring data so that a computer can read and understand it. Coding involves breaking down a problem into smaller pieces and then creating a step-by-step plan to solve the problem. Thus, organisational skills are one of the most important coding skills for beginners.

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To be a competent coder, you must be able to break down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable pieces. You also need to be able to create a clear and concise plan of action. Without strong organisational skills, it will be difficult to code a solution to a problem effectively.

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If you want to become a competent coder, start by honing your organisational skills. Practice breaking down problems into smaller pieces, and work on creating clear and concise plans of action. With strong organisational skills, you will be well on your way to becoming a competent coder.

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Creativity

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Coding is often thought of as a left-brain activity, but it actually requires both left- and right-brain thinking. One of the key abilities needed to be a computer programmer is to be able to come up with creative solutions to problems. This outside-the-box thinking will help you find innovative ways to solve difficult coding challenges.

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It's helpful to have a solid grasp of technical concepts while also having an open mind. A computer coder who can follow rules while also thinking creatively has a distinct advantage. Staying abreast with the latest changes and updates in technology is essential in a rapidly-changing industry. You can update existing code to improve its performance and include new features with a creative mind.

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Logic

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While creativity is important, coding also requires a lot of logical thinking. You need to be able to break down a problem and approach it in a step-by-step manner. This logical thinking will help you find the most efficient way to solve a problem. Without logic, your code will likely be inefficient and full of errors.

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Programming Languages

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Of course, you can’t be a competent coder without knowing at least one programming language. There are dozens of different programming languages, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for you. If you’re not sure which language to learn, try starting with a popular language like Python or Java.

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However, we suggest that you learn and become adept at multiple programming languages. Mastering multiple programming languages will give you the ability to write code that is both effective and error-free. In addition, learning multiple programming languages will give you a better understanding of how different coding paradigms work, making you a more well-rounded programmer. While there is no single path to becoming a competent coder, learning one or more programming languages is a necessary first step.

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Now, let's look at how you can include your skills in your resume.

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Programmer Skills Resume

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In your resume, you can list your computer coding languages and soft skills in the skills section as well as in your experience section.

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Example for a computer coding resume skills section

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Programming Languages: C++, Java, Python, SQL, jQuery, HTML/CSS

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Worked on various coding projects involving:

-Developed code in C++ for a project to improve performance by 10%

-Worked on a team to develop Java code for a new software application

-Wrote Python code to scrape data from websites

-Used SQL to query databases and generate reports

-Created HTML/CSS code for a new website design

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Experience: 5+ years of experience coding in C++, Java, and Python

Worked 2 years as a software engineer where I was responsible for developing code in C++, Java, and Python. Worked as a database administrator for 3 years where I was responsible for running SQL queries to generate reports.

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These are just a few of the skills you need to become a competent coder. With these skills, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a coding master. If you are looking to undertake a coding skills course, you can check out the Full Stack Development Certificate Course, a self-paced course that will enable you to get proficient in every aspect of full-stack development, and become a certified full-stack developer at the end of the course.