How to improve coding skills: 15 things you can do today

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Iain Gorman

Iain Gorman is a freelance copywriter based in Glasgow, Scotland. He’s written about everything from small business and marketing to tech trends, lifestyle tips, comedy and sports. More recently, he’s tackled articles on hemp oil, cast iron radiators, artificial turf, and Lebanese wine. Diverse? You bet.

Whether you’re an old hat at programming or you’re just getting started drafting your first scope of work templates or signing the first contract template, the truth is you can’t stand still. You must always be on the lookout for ways to improve coding skills.

In this article, we share 15 practical tips you can start using today (plus one you probably didn’t think of) to become a better coder.

Fun + Practical Ways to Improve Your Programming Skills

Step away from the screen.

1. Go read a book

The world of programming is an ever-changing one, and because of this, many novice coders tend to overlook books in favour of online tutorials. But the fundamentals hardly ever change, and the best coding books often delve into a level of detail the online tutorials can only dream of.

At the start of your coding journey? Here are the must-haves for your bookshelf:

2. Listen to a podcast

Coding-related podcasts offer a great way to stay on top of trends, learn about new techniques and web design tools, and hear from more experienced programmers about their career trajectory. Learning by listening is also an enjoyable and effective educational approach, and gives you the chance to engage with the content in a different way - away from the cat videos and clickbait distractions.

Here are some of our favourites:

Learn from others, for example:

3. Join a community, share and listen

A surefire way to improve your programming skills is to speak with (and listen to) those already working in the field. Join Stack Overflow and ask questions, or sign up to Reddit and visit one of the many relevant Subreddits (the programming one is a good place to start). Share your code and ask for advice - you’ll be blown away by the eagerness of the community to help.

4. Contribute to GitHub

As far as improving your coding is concerned, joining and contributing to GitHub is non-negotiable. No matter how experienced you are, you’ll almost always learn something new when you add your two-cents to an Open Source project. Whether that’s from observing someone else’s code, or from receiving feedback on your own, it’s a brilliant learning curve and a huge confidence booster all rolled into one.

5. Pop the hood on your favorite website

Got a favorite site? Curious about how it does its thing? Get into the habit of looking at the source code and try to piece together the frameworks and processes used by the programmer. It’s a great way to learn and a brilliant source of inspiration. And if you see something you don’t understand, simply return to the communities mentioned above armed with a bunch of new questions. Win-win.

6. Follow coders you admire on social media

If you happen to know who was responsible for a site or an app you love, find them and follow them on social media. It’s another opportunity for you to ask questions, only this time you’ll get the answers straight from the horse’s mouth. Plus, you can build a solid network of coding professionals on which you can rely when you need help.

Learn by doing, for example:

7. Work on real projects to become a better programmer

Newsflash: Your programming won’t improve as quickly as you’d like if you’re not actively working on real projects.

So, how do you find these projects? Well, you could check out freelancing sites and pitch your services to small businesses. Or you could cold email local agencies with freelance proposals and offer to lend a hand when they’re busy. Working on something at the moment? Experience effective project management with Bonsai by signing up for a free trial today.

However you do it, the fact remains: It’s only when you have some skin in the game that your focus levels go up a notch and your problem-solving skills rival those of Sherlock Holmes.

8. Can’t find real projects? Build and launch something of your own

If you’re not yet confident enough to pitch for real projects - or you don’t have the portfolio to back up a sparkling pitch - don’t let that stop you from rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.

Most experienced developers have done work on spec just to prove their capabilities. Building your own site or app helps you learn AND gets you noticed.

9. Do something new each day

Absolutely no-one becomes a coding guru overnight. It takes hard work, practice, and determination. However, if you want to add a little jet fuel to your development, you should take some time out each day and challenge yourself with something new.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Maybe it’s learning a new language feature or mastering a shortcut. Whatever you choose, over time these little challenges will add up to significant improvements.

10. Play a coding game

If all you do is read about coding, then code until your eyes are square, you can lose the love of it pretty quickly. You need another way to learn - one that’ll inject a bit of fun into proceedings.

Enter: Coding games. Gamified learning lets you hone your programming skills and boost your confidence as you crack puzzles and progress through the levels.

Here are some of our favourites:

Change your mindset and workflow, for example:

11. Choose a learning method that works for you

We all approach learning differently. You might enjoy getting to grips with the basics by reading a book, or you could require the structure and direction of an online course. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The important thing is that you choose the method that works best for you. Sites like Codeacademy are a good place to start if you’re a more hands-on learner, while the books outlined in tip one will appeal if you prefer brushing up on theory.

12. Embrace the ‘15-Minute’ rule to get better at coding

When you’re stuck on a piece of code, grab your phone and set the timer for 15 minutes. If the alarm goes and you’re no closer to a solution, it’s time to ask for help. Turn to one of the communities described earlier, hop on social media, or ask a co-worker. Because the longer you stare at a problem, the larger it looms and the more frustrated you’ll become.

The 15-minute rule helps you avoid these frustrations and puts you on the path towards learning and mastery.

13. Learn to take criticism

To keep improving as a programmer, one of the most valuable things you can learn is how to take criticism.

Spoiler alert: You can’t take it personally.

If you stick your fingers in your ears every time someone points out an error or suggests a better way of doing things, you’ll never grow as a developer.

14. Use a debugger (or talk to a rubber duck) to improve coding skills

You’ve probably heard the saying “mistakes are proof that you’re trying”. So when you’re faced with an error or your code fails to compile, the best thing you can do is control how you react.

Try not to become frustrated or angry. Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn. Use a debugger to step, line by line, through your code until you identify the mistake. Or pick up a rubber duck (other inanimate objects are available) and calmly explain your code and its goals until you figure out why it’s not working. Maybe there’s a typo or a problem with a variable.

Rubber duck debugging is helpful as it forces you to be slow and deliberate when explaining your code, to the point where you’re likely to happen upon the error yourself. And you’ll almost always learn better when you discover the solution for yourself instead of having it gift-wrapped by someone else.

Specialize to improve further, for example:

15. Niche down to become a better coder

Programming is such a vast and varied discipline that it’s unlikely that you’ll ever know absolutely everything. Instead of trying to become a jack of all trades, find an element that you enjoy and focus on improving that ten-fold.

For instance, spending time working to improve your coding skills in Java could make you a far more employable and sought after candidate in the future than if you studied a little bit of Java, a little bit of PHP, etc.

Bonus Tip: Give a talk, do a webinar or write a blog

You’ve guessed it. We’ve now reached the point in the article where we drop a Latin proverb:

Docendo discimus. "By teaching, we learn."

When you learn something new, don’t keep it to yourself. Teaching others is yet another step to improving your programming skills. Why? It helps you consolidate that knowledge and proves that you truly understand it.

So, host a webinar, stand up and speak at a meetup, or crack your knuckles and write a blog post. It’s a great way to network, builds your confidence, and demonstrates your abilities to clients and employers.

Take the Time to Improve Your Coding Skills

You know the old adage: Practice makes perfect. You just need to make sure you’re leaving yourself enough time each day to improve your programming.

What Defines a Verbal Contract?

A verbal contract (formally called an oral contract) refers to an agreement between two parties that's made —you guessed it— verbally.

Formal contracts, like those between an employee and an employer, are typically written down. However, some professional transactions take place based on verbally agreed terms.

Freelancers are a good example of this. Often, freelancers will take on projects having agreed on the terms and payment via the phone, or an email. Unfortunately, sometimes clients don't pull through on their agreements, and hardworking freelancers can find themselves out of pocket and wondering whether a legal battle is worth all the hassle.

The main differences between written and oral contracts are that the former is signed and documented, whereas the latter is solely attributed to verbal communication.

Verbal contracts are a bit of a gray area for most people unfamiliar with contract law —which is most of us, right?— due to the fact that there's no physical evidence to support the claims made by the implemented parties.

When is a Verbal Agreement Legally Binding?

For any contract (written or verbal) to be binding, there are four major elements which need to be in place. The crucial elements of a contract are as follows:

Offer and acceptance: An offer is made and accepted by another party involved in the agreement;
Consideration: The involved parties must exchange something of value (money, a service, time, etc), this is known as consideration;
Intention and certainty: All parties must fully understand the terms of the contract and intend to make a legally binding agreement freely; and
Capacity: The parties must have the capacity to legally enter into the contract; they're above age and of a stable mindset.

Therefore, an oral agreement has legal validity if all of these elements are present. However, verbal contracts can be difficult to enforce in a court of law. In the next section, we take a look at how oral agreements hold up in court.

How strong is a verbal agreement in court?

Most business professionals are wary of entering into contracts orally because they can difficult to enforce in the face of the law.

If an oral contract is brought in front of a court of law, there is increased risk of one party (or both!) lying about the initial terms of the agreement. This is problematic for the court, as there's no unbiased way to conclude the case; often, this will result in the case being disregarded. Moreover, it can be difficult to outline contract defects if it's not in writing.

That being said, there are plenty of situations where enforceable contracts do not need to be written or spoken, they're simply implied. For instance, when you buy milk from a store, you give something in exchange for something else and enter into an implied contract, in this case - money is exchanged for goods.

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When are verbal agreements not enforceable?

There are some types of contracts which must be in writing.

The Statute of Frauds is a legal statute which states that certain kinds of contracts must be executed in writing and signed by the parties involved. The Statute of Frauds has been adopted in almost all U.S states, and requires a written contract for the following purposes:

The sale of real estate or vehicles
Real estate leases lasting longer than one year.
Property transfer following the death of the owner.
The case of a party agreeing to pay debt for someone else.
Any contract that requires more than a year to fulfil.
A contract involving and exceeding a specified amount of money (which varies by state).

Typically, a court of law won't enforce an oral agreement in any of these circumstances under the statute. Instead, a written document is required to make the contract enforceable.

Contract law is generally doesn't favor contracts agreed upon verbally. A verbal agreement is difficult to prove, and can be used by those intent on committing fraud. For that reason, it's always best to put any agreements in writing and ensure all parties have fully understood and consented to signing.

How are Verbal Contracts Enforced?

Verbal agreements can be proven with actions in the absence of physical documentation. Any oral promise to provide the sale of goods or perform a service that you agreed to counts as a valid contract. So, when facing a court of law, what evidence can you provide to enforce a verbal agreement?

How can you prove an oral contract?

Unfortunately, without solid proof, it may be difficult to convince a court of the legality of an oral contract. Without witnesses to testify to the oral agreement taking place or other forms of evidence, oral contracts won't stand up in court. Instead, it becomes a matter of "he-said-she-said" - which legal professionals definitely don't have time for!

If you were to enter into a verbal contract, it's recommended to follow up with an email or a letter confirming the offer, the terms of the agreement , and payment conditions. The more you can document the elements of a contract, the better your chances of legally enforcing a oral contract.

Another option is to make a recording of the conversation where the agreement is verbalized. This can be used to support your claims in the absence of a written agreement. However, it's always best to gain the permission of the other involved parties before hitting record.

Written vs Verbal Contracts: What's the Verdict?

Fundamentally, most verbal agreements are legally valid as long as they meet all the requirements for a contract. However, if you were to go to court over one party not fulfilling the terms of the contract, proving that the interaction took place can be extremely taxing.

So, ultimately, the question is: written or verbal agreements?

Any good lawyer, contract law firm, or legal professional would advise you to make sure you formalize any professional agreement with a written agreement. Written contracts provide a secure testament to the conditions that were agreed and signed by the two parties involved. If it comes to it, a physical contract is much easier to eviden in legal circumstances.

Freelancers, in particular, should be aware of the extra security that digital contracts may provide. Many people choose to stick to executing contracts verbally because they're not sure how to write a contract, or they think writing out the contract terms is too complicated or requires expensive legal advice. However, this is no longer the case.

"@bonsaiinc is probably my all time favorite freelance tool. hands down. the team is super responsive and accessible when i have questions."

David Urbinati

Motion design / animation

Say hello to digital contracts

Today, we have a world of resources available at our fingertips. The internet is a treasure trove of invaluable information, platforms, and software that simplifies our lives. Creating, signing, and sending contracts has never been easier. What's more, you don't have to rely on a hiring a lawyer to explain all that legal jargon anymore.

There are plenty of tools available online for freelancers to use for guidance when drafting digital contracts. Tools like Bonsai provide a range of customizable, vetted contract templates for all kinds of freelance professionals. No matter what industry you're operating in, Bonsai has a professional template to offer.

Benefits of written contracts

A written contract makes the agreement much easier to prove the terms of the agreement in case something were to go awry. The two parties involved can rest assured that they're legal rights are protected, and the terms of the contract are sufficiently documented. Plus, it provides both parties with peace of mind to focus on the tasks at hand.

Create Professional Contracts with Bonsai

Bonsai's product suite for freelancers allows users to make contracts from scratch, or using professional templates, and sign them using an online signature maker.

With Bonsai, you can streamline and automate all of the boring back-office tasks that come with being a freelancer. From creating proposals that clients can't say no to, to sealing the deal with a professional contract - Bonsai will revolutionize the way you do business as a freelancer.

Why not secure your business today and sign up for a free trial?

Iain Gorman

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