Think programming is just for geeks? Nonsense! Step by step you will learn all the basic skills for coding and build your own website or app in no time. And it’s more fun than you think!
1. Mimo
Mimo introduces you step by step to the world of coding. You start in the programming language ‘html’, but can progress further with other programming languages, such as Javascript, CSS and many more. You don’t need any coding knowledge at all to get started with this. The great thing about this app is that you learn in small steps and in between it is also explained why something should be written in a certain way. It tells you what the signs mean, what they do and why you need them.
For example, you have an element with a heading and a paragraph. You will then be told how to make it and why it works that way. It’s up to you to type it correctly. You will then also see the result: you will see how the text now appears on the web page. You will see that it gets a bit more difficult, but the steps and repeating quiz questions in between make it doable.
2. Knowin
Knowin immediately starts explaining Javascript. First you get to see the basics and start by closing a sentence. You will also see what happens if you do not enter the exact code. It is very useful with this app that you immediately see what happens when you enter a certain code. If it is not the correct code, you will immediately see what the result is.
After each lesson you will receive a summary of what you have learned. You can read these summaries again in the main screen. Haven’t quite understood a lesson yet? Then you can safely go through it again. In addition to Javascript, you can gain other skills, such as building an iOS app with the Swift programming language. Select this in the ‘skills’ tab and then start your lessons in the ‘learn’ tab.
3. Solo Learn
You can also learn different programming languages ​​in Solo Learn. The interface is somewhat reminiscent of Duo Lingo. That is not surprising: in principle you are also learning a new language. Although you won’t have to speak this language, you will have to master a whole new alphabet. You start with an overview and then get the basic skills. You will be given some information and then have to answer questions about it. When you have completed a lesson, you unlock the next lesson.
But you can’t just learn in the Solo Learn app: it’s interactive too. In the ‘play’ tab you can challenge an online opponent to, for example, do an HTML competition. Whoever can answer the questions about html first will receive extra points. In the ‘code’ tab you can see what other users have made of the app. You can see how they made it and what it will look like. There is also a discussion tab where you can go for questions about programming.
4. Grasshopper
Grasshopper has a slightly clearer interface than Knowin or Solo Learn. A grasshopper takes you through several programming lessons. In the overview you see a field with blue sky where the questions are. With a correctly answered question you ‘jump’ a little higher into the air. You must first answer all questions in a lesson before you can move on to the next lesson. Then you start again at the bottom.
In the first lesson you will learn how to draw a flag using code. This immediately makes the code very visual. Less is explained than in the other apps. The app gives you the chance to discover patterns in the code. This gives you a better understanding of how a certain way of writing code works. In the menu you also have the so-called ‘code playground’ where you can try out everything yourself. There is also a forum where code puzzles are explained and you can respond with questions. The makers of Grasshopper also respond to your questions.
5. Py
At Py you choose a programming language and get started right away. You will automatically proceed to the next lesson. In the short lessons you will soon be working on ‘writing’ codes yourself, in other words dragging the codes to the right place. At first, the app mainly focuses on the sequence of code, something that the other apps lack. You will receive a brief explanation, and then immediately have to put the right code in the right place.
The explanation is not very simple, so if you are just starting out and have no knowledge of programming, it can be difficult to use this app. You are taken a little less by the hand than with the other apps. But this also forces you to try it out yourself, which will help you master it better and faster. Also in this app you can learn different programming languages ​​and start creating a game, website or iOS app right away.