With a skills shortage in the IT industry, there’s a huge demand for people with coding expertise. Learning to code, however, is not just about knowing what code means and where to put it in the script; it also means ensuring it works in a live environment. It needs to be tested, secured against threats, and checked for compatibility with operating systems and other applications. For this to happen, it needs to be run in a server environment and needs the support of a web host. In this post, we look at how a good web host can help when learning to code.
Tools and resources
While you can write code just with your PC, seeing your applications in action requires the use of a server and various tools and resources. Three of the most important things you’ll need are a staging environment, a version control system and a database. A good web host can provide all of these for you.
A staging environment is where you develop and test your code before it goes live. For instance, if you are building a new website or making changes to an existing one, you can make sure the coding works properly before replacing your existing site. This way, you aren’t making risky changes to a live site.
A web host can also provide you with a version control system. These tools keep track of all the changes you make in your coding during the development process. Professional developers find these invaluable and as a new coder, it is a good idea to take advantage of them. This way, if you make a mistake it is easy to restore an earlier version rather than having to find out where the mistake is – which can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Version control systems also let you collaborate on scripts with others, which can be one of the best ways to learn new skills.
If you are learning to create websites and applications, you’ll also need to use and be familiar with databases. A good web hosting solution will let you create databases at the click of a button, making the process easy. They’ll also let you work with different kinds of databases, which will be important when you work on different projects or in various environments. For example, you might use a MySQL database for working on Linux-based systems, while using MSSQL for Windows-based systems.
For more information, read: Why Cloud is the Ideal Solution for Web App Development
Testing your code
To understand how well your code works, you’ll need to see it perform in a live environment. A web host is crucial in this respect, as the staging environment they provide you with lets you see your changes in real-time. Whether you are fixing a bug, changing the design, or experimenting with CSS, this immediate feedback helps speed up your learning.
Another important benefit of live testing is that it gives you a clearer picture of how users will experience and interact with the websites or apps you are working on. For example, by testing website coding on different browsers, you can learn how to create responsive sites that are compatible with all browsers and devices.
Setting up your environment
Before you can start to test your coding, you’ll first need to create the environment in which to deploy it. This process requires several steps. Firstly, you’ll need a server to store and execute your code. Aside from ensuring you have the right kind of server for your needs (e.g. VPS, cloud or dedicated server), you will need to set up a database, choose an operating system and configure the server for your application. A good web host will help you find the most appropriate server and provide you with an easy-to-use control panel, like cPanel or Plesk, which makes it easy to create databases, install software and manage configurations. They also make it simple to upload your code using tools like File Manager and create staging environments.
If you are learning to code a website, you’ll also need to learn how to set a website up. Besides a server, operating system and database, you’ll have to purchase a domain name (e.g., mysite.com) and configure its DNS settings so it can be found on the internet. A good web host makes this process simpler. You’ll be able to choose and register a domain name directly from their website and you’ll be able to configure the DNS settings easily within cPanel or Plesk.
Looking for a control panel? Read: Plesk or cPanel: Which is the Best Control Panel?
Languages and frameworks
To become a proficient coder, you’ll need to know multiple coding languages and how to work with different software frameworks. Depending on what kind of application you are developing and what environment it will work in, there are a variety of languages and frameworks that can be used, for example, languages like PHP, Python, Ruby and JavaScript, and frameworks such as Django, Rails and Node.js. If you are building a website, you might also need to learn other types of code, such as HTML and CSS.
Good web hosts will provide environments for most coding languages, enabling you to develop your skills in them and understand the uses and challenges each has to offer. For example, if you want to learn PHP, HTML and CSS, you can do this by setting up and building a WordPress site. Working with frameworks is technically more challenging. For instance, you’ll need to install the software dependencies for your framework and configure the server and database to work with your application. While learning these skills can be frustrating for beginners, most of these processes can be carried out using cPanel or Plesk and a good hosting provider will offer technical support if you run into problems.
Operating system dilemmas? Read Linux vs Windows Which is the Best Operating System for You?
Learning resources
When learning to code, it is obvious that at some point you will run into challenges or make mistakes. While web hosts are not there to teach you how to code, they are there to ensure that you have the right hosting environment in which to work. Should you run into difficulties with this, then you will have sales team support to help you find the right environment for your needs and 24/7 technical support to resolve any issues.
At the same time, your host may publish regular blog posts and knowledgebase articles that can help you understand topics in more detail or carry out technical tasks on your own. With regards to getting help with your coding skills, there are countless websites and forums online where you can get assistance from more experienced coders willing to help newcomers out.
Conclusion
Learning to code is a challenging but highly rewarding endeavour. While you can write scripts on your PC, testing and launching your websites and applications requires a web host that can provide you with the infrastructure required. A good web host can offer you the tools and resources you need, the right testing environment, the flexibility to use different languages and frameworks and the support you need to make progress.
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