It’s not a new phenomenon, but the prevalence of learning how to code early and often continues to spread around the world. A few years ago, in a then previously unreleased interview originally recorded in 1995, Steve Jobs offered a weighty proclamation that now seems years ahead of the curve. “Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer, should learn a computer language, because it teaches you how to think,” the legendary Apple co-founder said. “It’s like going to law school. I don’t think anybody should be a lawyer, but going to law school can actually be useful because it teaches you how to think in a certain way….I view computer science as a liberal art.”
These days, learning how to code remains a pragmatic consideration: even though a recent job outlook report predicted that programmer jobs are on the decline in the United States, in 2014 there were some 328,600 gainfully employed computer programmers, according to Computer World. Moreover and regardless of industry, even entry-level programming and software skills can make a young job applicant more attractive to a hiring manager. So it’s no surprise that learning how to code is still all the rage and that the learning tools at our disposal are evermore accessible, fun, and numerous.
With all of the above in mind, check out our list of the best apps for learning to code below. In addition to dedicated learning applications, you’ll also find a handful of podcasts and digital games that will help you on your way to learning how to code.
1. Codeacademy (Website/application)
Codeacademy is one of the most popular and well-recognized learning tools for beginning programmers for good reason: it was an early contender in the civilian programmer education sector, it’s easy to use, and it’s got a great mobile app that will keep you learning on the go.
2. L2Code HTML (Application)
This $4.99 iOS app offers a robust tutorial that will help you learn every step of how to build and share an HTML website. While consumer-friendly website builder resources like Squarespace and Wix have taken much of the complicated coding out of launching a new site, there’s still plenty of value in learning how to do it yourself via HTML.
3. Code Racer (Application/game)
Code Racer has an edge on some of its counterparts with the added element of competition. Just like you, your real-life competitors are learning how to code too, and you get to race them through the learning process. The catchphrase? “Battle it out and learn the code.”
4. The Treehouse Show (Podcast)
The Treehouse Show is more of a news podcast than a learning vehicle, but since the show is a perpetually on-the-pulse source for programming news, it’s a good stalwart platform for programmers of all ages and skill levels to get their industry-specific news in one place.
5. Herding Code (Podcast)
Another podcast for those interested in programming, Herding Code is more of an inside-the-industry offering than it is a learn-to-code platform. Nonetheless, the show is a great way to stay up-to-date within the industry and offers plenty of insight along the way.
6. CodeNewbie (Podcast)
Despite an early career path in the medical field, Saron Yitbarek changed courses and is now an impressive programmer-in-training. Yitbarek has since founded CodeNewbie, a podcast whose title should tell you everything you need to know about its potential audience. The ‘cast is easy to listen to, fun, and super informative for beginning programmers.
7. Hakitzu Elite: Robot Hackers (Application/game)
Hakitzu Elite: Robot Hackers has a tagline that will get kids excited: learn how to code by playing a game that allows you to build battling robots. The game, which encourages learning to code by rewarding points that can be used towards building customizable fighting robots, is the first of a series of educational games developed by Kuato Studios.
8. My Robot Friend (Application/game)
Aimed at kids in elementary school (especially the older grades), My Robot Friend engages young ones in a way that helps them forget they’re learning at all.
9. The Java Posse (Podcast)
So, here’s the thing: The Java Posse shut down operations a little more than a year ago. But since its archives live on, it remains one of the best resources for Java-interested programmers around.
10. Swifty (Application)
Swifty is a language-specific learning tool that teaches users how to code in Swift via an extensive package of more than 200 tutorials.
