Coding is a process that is accompanied by equal measures of discovery, invention and problem solving. In this journey of a learner, new to such exposure, this process does well to present its own shortcomings and missteps. However, it is always beneficial to learn from other’s mistakes and these are the areas that if avoided can lead to accelerated learning and code mastery. This post is a crucial introduction to watch out for these commonplace blunders and how it is crucial how to do it.

1. Understanding the Basics

Another very avoidable mistake that beginners often make is that they tend to move very fast through the critical preliminaries. The desire of a programmer to write more complicated code or start creating applications might be harmful because lack of foundational knowledge will lead to problems later. Variables, loops and data structures can be regarded as elementary factors of programming that form the basis of each type of activity.

Solution: Spend as much time as is needed in refining these basics. Free online tutorials, Coding Bootcamps camps or camps where a new programmer can learn the basics about programming and books that contain basic and easy to understand information might be helpful. They have clear progression steps which constantly refresh these concepts so that you don’t make mistakes while learning complex stuff.

2. Code Readability

The next problem is the generation of code in a completely illegible form and without commentaries. In the same way as it is incomprehensible when reading a book without there being punctuation, in the same way a book written in such a manner is confusing. Beginners usually do not name the variables clearly, write bulky functions and do not pay much attention to proper indentation.

Solution: As has already been mentioned, try to make your code clean and easily readable. For the same reason, the variables should have names that reflect what they stand for; there is nothing wrong with using comments to justify the logic. Picking up from PEP 8 for python or similar styles is also a way of improving code readability. For example, to make a code more readable, you could change the name of variables as total_sum instead of x and sum_result instead of y, or align your code so it would be easy to discern what part of the code does what.

3. Version Control

Novice participants fail to devote the amount of attention they should to issues related to the version control system. If one does not use these tools like Git, one can barely track changes, collaborate with others. One also finds it awkward to revert in case of anything wrong.

Solution: Towards the end of the project , version control should be included in it since all projects should have it. Forums like Github: this is the best platform to learn and share ideas like this (gitlab for example). As mentioned before such as when used for a small task, version control is beneficial because it eclipses possible problems that can occur.

4. Planning Phase

One of the major mistakes seen is the ability to code begins without a clear plan in mind. This may result in shoddy and clumsy code organisation, more so, poor program flow, which translates to more time being spent in rewriting the code, not to mention the frustration this kind of a system will cause.

Solution: As is often the case with any complex project, it is important to spend time planning your code before you can actually write it. To solve this problem, the plan is to divide the problem into appropriately small sub-problems, and the proposed solution plan in English or pseudo code may also include flow charts. Such a planning phase can give possible problem points and perhaps avoid them as well as make for even more structured and efficient code.

5. Regular Testing

One of the mistakes you should avoid is testing the software at the end of the project when all the code is written. There is, however, a potential of having several bugs that are hard to identify and address when following this approach.

Solution: Try to work with the principle of Test First where possible – that is, try and incorporate testing into the project plan and then work through the code, testing the smallest piece of code that will work, then the next. This way, always write small pieces of code and test it in order to make sure it works in the correct way. Unit testing is conducted to ensure the correctness of individual units of code while Integration testing is used to ascertain that the components interconnect properly. Even this process can be made a lot easier by using automated testing tools.

6. Error Handling

Failure to deal with possible errors leads to situations that cause runtime failures or other similar situations. Inexperienced developers tend to write programs assuming that there won’t be any troubles.

Solution: Fortunately for any programmer, implementing distinct error checking in your code is very crucial. Write your code with error handling in mind using try catch blocks or similar keywords which are available in your programming language. You should also provide error messages which will help you in debugging. It enhances the other aspects of users’ experience while it also makes your code more robust.

7. Understanding Copied Code

One is likely to copy code from an article or a webpage and use it without having the full understanding of what it does. Such a practice is potentially problematic in the future in some ways.

Solution: It is important that you comprehend the majority of a code that you decide to copy from elsewhere since the copied code might contain other bits of code that you did not write. This is useful to find out as it also allows the concept to be learnt and the code to be adopted to a given circumstance. Make an effort to study the code to the problem and find out why the code is correct and how it solves the problem.

8. Avoiding Overcomplication

Some beginners try their best to solve a problem in the most complicated manner possible just to demonstrate what they can do. This can make code more complicated to write and can make it difficult to understand or maintain at a later date.

Solution: Always aim that the code that you are writing should be as simple as possible. Always remember the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)principle, this means that you should ensure that the code that you write to solve the problem is simple and easy to understand. It is true sometimes the most effective way of solving a problem is that which is easiest of the lot.

9. Seeking Help

Some novices consider this as wrong since they do not want to appear as though they are not capable of doing something on their own. This can impede their learning process which may cause them to experience frustration at some time.

Solution: It is okay to ask for assistance when you have to do so. Go out to coding communities, be part of platforms such as Stack Overflow, and interact with other cohorts. It has been established that, in order to learn, one has to ask questions and seek information from relevant sources.

10. Documentation

Failing to document the code is something that should not be done since this is likely to cause confusion with regard to how different tools, or libraries, can be used and this will make it even more challenging for other users of the code to have an easy time understanding how the code works.

Solution: Develop the practice of reading or writing precise documentation for your codes, API, and instruments. In your functions, classes or modules describe what the function does, or what the class or module represents, what parameters it takes and what it returns. Documentation enhances your code because it would be easier to read and also easier to maintain.

Additional Tips

• Practice Regularly: Arrange coding practice sessions so that it becomes easier to adhere to a consistent coding practice style.
• Problem Solving: Emphasise on the solving of problems as against an emphasis on syntax.
• Reading Code: Read other programmers’ work to see how their thought process is.
• Using Resources: Use Google and other sources of the web for searching for the possible combinations of error codes.
• Interaction and Health: They not only have to engage in programming discussions but also should be healthy to have a healthy brain.

Conclusion

The process of coding can be a slow and tedious one, but at the same time is an excellent opportunity to learn from one’s mistakes. This article describes some of the common coding mistakes and ways to deal with them so that you can start with a clean slate and develop your coding abilities. Acknowledge your errors to be one of the greatest assets and see the following guidelines to master the coding environment. Happy coding!