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Intro to Programming Nanodegree

Andy Brown, Cameron Pittman, Dave Evans, Jessica Uelmen, Kunal Chawla, Steve Huffman, and Georgia Davis

This introductory Nanodegree program teaches you the foundational skills all programmers use, whether they program mobile apps, create web pages, or analyze data.

It is ideal for beginners who want to learn new skills, make informed choices about career goals, and set themselves up for success in career-track Nanodegree programs.

You are self-driven and motivated to learn. Participation in this program requires consistently meeting deadlines and devoting at least 10 hours per week to your work.
You can communicate fluently and professionally in written and spoken English.

General Requirements:

You are self-driven and motivated to learn. Participation in this program requires consistently meeting deadlines and devoting at least 10 hours per week to your work.
You can communicate fluently and professionally in written and spoken English.

Basic Computer Skills:

You can find the location of a file on your computer
You can rename a file on your computer
You can attach a file to an email
You can compress (.zip) and uncompress a file on your computer
You can download and install programs from the internet

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Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the fundamentals of programming, providing a solid foundation for subsequent specializations

Taught by experienced instructors from industry, ensuring that the material is up-to-date and relevant

Provides a comprehensive overview of programming concepts, preparing learners for further studies in specific programming domains

Suitable for beginners with no prior programming experience, making it an accessible entry point into the field

Emphasizes hands-on practice, reinforcing theoretical concepts through practical application

Complements other career-track programs, providing a foundational knowledge that enhances subsequent learning

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intro to Programming Nanodegree with these activities:

Read 'Head First Java' by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of Java programming concepts.

View Head First Software Development: A Learner's... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
Read through the chapters thoroughly.
Work through the exercises and examples provided in the book.

Form a study group or join a coding club

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Connect with fellow learners, share knowledge, and support each other's progress.

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Find or create a study group or coding club.
Establish regular meeting times and discuss course materials.
Work together on projects or problem-solving exercises.

Review basic coding concepts

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Solidify your understanding of the foundational concepts in programming.

Browse courses on Variables and Data Types

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Review notes from previous courses or online tutorials on basic coding concepts.
Work through practice problems or coding exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Attend a refresher workshop or online course on programming fundamentals.

Six other activities

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Explore online tutorials on different programming languages

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Gain exposure to various programming languages and their syntax.

Browse courses on Python

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Identify the programming languages that are relevant to your interests or career goals.
Find reputable online tutorials or courses for these languages.
Follow the tutorials, complete the exercises, and build small projects.

Participate in hackathons or coding competitions

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Challenge yourself and test your skills in a competitive environment.

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Find hackathons or coding competitions that align with your interests.
Form a team or work individually.
Develop a solution to the competition's challenges.
Submit your project and receive feedback.

Solve coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank

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Develop your problem-solving skills and strengthen your coding abilities.

Browse courses on Data Structures

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Choose a platform like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Start with easier challenges and gradually increase the difficulty.
Analyze the problem, design an algorithm, and implement your solution.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Create a blog or vlog on your programming journey

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Document your learning process, share your insights, and connect with other learners.

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Choose a platform for your blog or vlog.
Create regular content that showcases your progress and experiences.
Engage with your audience, respond to comments, and seek feedback.

Build a personal website or portfolio

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Apply your programming skills to create a tangible project and showcase your abilities.

Browse courses on Web Development

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Plan the structure and design of your website or portfolio.
Choose a domain name and hosting provider.
Develop the website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Populate your website with content and projects.
Deploy and publish your website.

Participate as a mentor in online coding communities or forums

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Enhance your own understanding by teaching and guiding others.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Join online coding communities or forums.
Identify opportunities to answer questions and provide guidance to fellow learners.
Share your knowledge and experiences to help others overcome challenges.

Career center

Learners who complete Intro to Programming Nanodegree will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of software systems. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and skills that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns, which are all critical for building robust and efficient software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

A Web Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and web applications. This course provides a strong foundation in programming languages and technologies that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web frameworks, which are all critical for building user-friendly and interactive web experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify trends and patterns. This course provides a strong foundation in data analysis techniques and tools that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as statistics, data visualization, and machine learning, which are all critical for extracting meaningful insights from data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist is responsible for developing and applying machine learning models to solve business problems. This course provides a strong foundation in machine learning techniques and algorithms that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and deep learning, which are all critical for building predictive models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and deploying machine learning models. This course provides a strong foundation in machine learning techniques and algorithms that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and deep learning, which are all critical for building and deploying machine learning models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining cloud-based applications and infrastructure. This course provides a strong foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as cloud platforms, cloud services, and cloud security, which are all critical for building and managing cloud-based applications and infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. This course provides a strong foundation in DevOps principles and practices that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as continuous integration, continuous delivery, and infrastructure automation, which are all critical for building and maintaining high-quality software.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst is responsible for testing and validating software applications. This course provides a strong foundation in software testing techniques and tools that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as test planning, test execution, and test reporting, which are all critical for ensuring the quality of software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

UX Designer

A UX Designer is responsible for designing the user experience of websites and applications. This course provides a strong foundation in UX design principles and practices that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as user research, interaction design, and visual design, which are all critical for creating user-friendly and engaging user experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

UI Designer

A UI Designer is responsible for designing the user interface of websites and applications. This course provides a strong foundation in UI design principles and practices that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as visual design, typography, and layout, which are all critical for creating user-friendly and visually appealing user interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer is responsible for creating technical documentation for software and other products. This course provides a strong foundation in technical writing principles and practices that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as document planning, writing, and editing, which are all critical for creating clear and concise technical documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

IT Support Specialist

An IT Support Specialist is responsible for providing technical support to users of computer systems. This course provides a strong foundation in IT support principles and practices that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as troubleshooting, problem solving, and customer service, which are all critical for providing effective technical support.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Support Specialist

Computer Programmer

A Computer Programmer is responsible for writing and maintaining computer programs. This course provides a strong foundation in programming concepts and skills that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns, which are all critical for writing and maintaining efficient and reliable computer programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst is responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems. This course provides a strong foundation in systems analysis techniques and tools that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as requirements gathering, process modeling, and system design, which are all critical for designing and implementing effective computer systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining databases. This course provides a strong foundation in database management principles and practices that are essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as database design, database administration, and database security, which are all critical for managing and maintaining databases effectively and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Intro to Programming Nanodegree.

Introduction to Algorithms, fourth edition

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Provides a comprehensive treatment of algorithms. It covers topics such as algorithm design, analysis, and applications. It good read for experienced programmers of any language.

Introduction to Algorithms, fourth edition

Hardcover

$$$$

Introduction to Algorithms, fourth edition

Kindle Edition

$$$

Java: A Beginner's Guide, Tenth Edition

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Comprehensive reference for Java programming. It covers all the basics of the language, as well as more advanced topics such as object-oriented programming and data structures. It good reference for experienced programmers.

Intro to Programming Nanodegree

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