Simple Tech-Code https://hyperfun.org/ We tell everything about code for free Thu, 07 Sep 2023 12:14:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1 https://hyperfun.org/wp-content/uploads/cropped-b0230a7a680342789897001e69d1aedc-32x32.png Simple Tech-Code https://hyperfun.org/ 32 32 Elevate Skills With Free Coding Games and Challenges https://hyperfun.org/elevate-skills-with-free-coding-games-and-challenges/ Mon, 04 Sep 2023 11:58:21 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=118 Coding can take years or even decades to master, even for the most committed. Because of this, many learners become burnt out and give up on the skill that unlocks the possibility for great creativity and earnings, with the average...

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Coding can take years or even decades to master, even for the most committed. Because of this, many learners become burnt out and give up on the skill that unlocks the possibility for great creativity and earnings, with the average computer program making $93k in 2021 and many making well above that.

But, to get to the point where you can develop impressive things, whether for personal projects or for clients, coders must overcome one of the most difficult challenges: getting through the learning phase. Thankfully, there are many ways to make the process more fun and rewarding, and this article will outline how beginner coders can expand their skills and knowledge through free coding games and challenges.

What Are Coding Games and Challenges?

As the name suggests, coding games and challenges are activities that require coding as part of the process. The types of games and challenges can vary. Still, they will generally have a mutual goal of pushing the learner to create something capable of performing a specific function or set of functions without writing too much code.

Name of ActivityDescription
Challenge: LeetCodeLeetCode is a popular platform for coding challenges. It offers a wide range of coding problems that vary in difficulty. These challenges test algorithmic and coding skills, helping participants prepare for technical interviews and competitive coding.
Coding Game: ScratchScratch is a beginner-friendly coding game designed for kids. It uses a block-based visual programming language, making creating animations, games, and interactive stories easy. It introduces coding concepts in a playful way.
Challenge: HackerRankHackerRank is a platform with coding challenges and competitions. It covers various domains, including algorithms, data structures, and artificial intelligence. It’s a great place to hone coding skills and prepare for coding interviews.

These games and challenges will typically start with a tutorial that guides the player through writing some code, then lets them try on their own by repeating a similar task that requires slightly different coding. As the game progresses, the difficulty level increases and more code must be written to progress or win the challenge.

What Are the Benefits of Coding Games and Challenges?

While it may sound like fun and games (pun intended), playing coding offers dozens of benefits, from improving problem-solving skills to developing patience and taking on difficult tasks. Here are a few of the most mention-worthy benefits of playing these games and conquering these challenges:

Encourages Creativity

Besides the obvious, one of the benefits of coding games is that they require lots of creativity since there is not always one right answer. In many cases, it’s up to the player to decide how they want to write their code and the result they want to achieve. This means that the coder could need to choose between a series of code types, languages, structures, and more to come up with the best solution.

Improves Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are important in every aspect of life, which means that even if a coder tries coding games and chooses not to pursue coding as a career, they can still benefit from the skills acquired by playing these games. Because so many obstacles appear during the coding process, coders need to be able to decide on the fly about the best way to proceed, and this is exactly what coding games make you do.

Opportunity to Try New Things

Sometimes, when we are pursuing a goal, we get tunnel vision and only aim for that goal. While this can be beneficial in some cases, trying new languages and coding techniques in the world of coding can lead to faster and better results. Simply put, by venturing outside your comfort zone, you could find strategies to help overcome a problem you are facing with an ongoing project. This is why coding games and challenges can be so beneficial since they get coders to experiment outside of what they are used to seeing and doing.

Develops Patience

One thing you need to succeed as a coder is patience, and a lot of it. Things can be going so smoothly until you hit a huge wall and can’t seem to go any further. Unfortunately, this is simply part of coding, and combining problem-solving skills and patience makes overcoming these progress interruptions much easier. Therefore, playing coding games and challenges can help you work on patience and develop this skill set.

Builds an Impressive Resume

Last but not least, having completed various coding challenges can be seen as an asset when it comes to applying for jobs. Many coding games and courses will give you a certificate upon completion, which you can use to support your application. With the increase in demand for coders, employers are always looking for people who can show strong coding skills, and certificates from coding challenges or games can help you stand out from the crowd.

What Kind of Coding Games Exist?

When it comes to coding games, there are many kinds out there, so it is easy to find one that appeals to you, no matter your learning style. Some of the most common include:

  • Coding quizzes or challenges: These games usually involve completing coding questions or challenges against the clock.
  • Strategy games: These are like strategy computer games but with an added coding element, such as learning a programming language to be able to play them.
  • Puzzle and logic games: Puzzles and logic-based games help you understand problem-solving better, which is another key skill to becoming a successful coder.
  • Simulation games: Games like these help players understand coding principles and get familiar with the code.
  • Text adventures: These fun adventure games involve navigating through levels using text commands rather than graphics.

Because so many kinds of games and challenges are available to coders online, it’s worth trying as many of them as possible to find which ones best suit your learning style and what coding skills you need to master.

Where Can You Find Coding Games?

One of the best parts of coding games is that they are so accessible. Simply searching for “coding games” or “coding games for beginners” will show you hundreds of relevant results where you can find a wide variety of coding challenges and games. Some of the most well-known websites for coding games and challenges include:

  • CodinGame
  • CodeCombat
  • Codewars
  • Hackerrank
  • CodinGame
  • Codeforces

While these websites have built a reputation for being great coders’ resources, some may be more suitable for people of different skill levels. Therefore, if you try one website and find that the challenges require skills beyond your current level, all it takes is to try another site until you find one that pushes you to develop your skills without being too frustrating.

How Often Should You Play Coding Games and Challenges?

Determining how often to play these games is entirely up to you. While some coders enjoy spending hours advancing in various coding games and learning new skills, others prefer to play only occasionally and let their brains rest in between.

What is most important is to avoid burnout and to only play when you have the motivation to do so. This is especially true for people who code as part of their job because they will already spend many hours per day coding, and doing the same in their free time can lead to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

Moreover, never let games become a nuisance to your day. They are meant to be fun! If the games start consuming your free time, it is best to take breaks and do something that calms you.

Conclusion

From tutorial-based coding games to competitive challenges, there is no shortage of available game options on the internet for those wanting to learn new coding skills and treat themselves to some entertainment. From the creative aspect of these games to the possibility of gaining an edge over other applicants in the workplace, these games can play an important role in advancing your coding skills and knowledge. So, next time you are sitting around bored, why not play some coding games and see where they might take you? You never know. You might just become a master coder!

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Discovering Coding Communities: Free Resources and Support https://hyperfun.org/discovering-coding-communities-free-resources-and-support/ Mon, 04 Sep 2023 11:31:24 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=114 Getting started in the world of coding can seem daunting and nearly impossible when you do not have the right support. Because of how much time is needed to master the coding skills and the range of abilities required, many...

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Getting started in the world of coding can seem daunting and nearly impossible when you do not have the right support. Because of how much time is needed to master the coding skills and the range of abilities required, many people give up before achieving their goals. However, finding the right resources and support groups can boost your motivation to keep learning and trying new things to eventually become a skilled coder. This article will offer tips and guidance on discovering and joining coding communities that can help you succeed.

What Are Coding Communities?

Coding communities, sometimes referred to as “hackerspaces” or “makerspaces”, are groups of people who share an interest in coding. They can range in size but generally use platforms like Discord, Slack or Skype to connect people from around the world who need help with coding projects.

These groups aim to connect with people who experience the same challenges and accomplishments as you and support each other in your coding journey. The members can provide advice, resources, and tutorials to teach each other about the different coding languages and platforms they are working with or learning.

Where Can You Find Coding Communities?

If having the support of a coding community sounds beneficial to you, it may be worth searching for one (or more). To do this, you can generally find them with quick online research using terms such as “online coding communities,” “groups for coders,” or even “group chats for coders.”

Specific platforms and websites are also useful for finding coding communities. Reddit is a popular one as it has many dedicated forums related to programming and software development, while Codementor provides an online platform that can help connect you with developers from around the world.

Some communities also use more mainstream platforms like Facebook and Twitter that are more general in their focus but can also be helpful for connecting with coders to share advice and experiences.

What Are the Benefits of Coding Groups?

While we have touched on some of the advantages of being part of these groups, we have yet to touch a plethora of others. Here are a few worth mentioning:

Find People With Varying Experience Levels

One of the coolest things about coding communities is that they unite people of all experience levels. Everyone from newbies to coding veterans has the insight to share on different topics, and it can also be a great way to make friends with similar experience levels as you and seek help from those who have more years under their belt. In a coding community, you will likely find people of all experience levels, including:

  • Beginners: Those who are just getting started in coding and may need help getting off the ground.
  • Experienced coders: People who have been coding for years and can provide valuable advice and insights on best practices, new technologies, or debugging tips.
  • Corporate professionals: People working in tech companies have many years of professional experience under their belts.

Work Opportunities

As a freelancer of any kind, you never know where work might pop up, and this is especially true for coders. Because coding projects can be so large, even the most experienced coders will often need someone with specific expertise to get around a wall they have hit during the process.

For example, someone developing a website may have all the skills needed to develop the front end but may need someone with more experience developing mobile apps to create the back end. In cases like these, many coders will turn to coding communities to find suitable candidates to fill positions and help them with their ongoing projects, which can often come at a generous profit, with the most experienced coders making 5-digit monthly figures.

TypesDescription
Freelance ProjectsCoding communities often offer access to freelance gigs.
Job PostingsDiscover job openings shared within coding communities.
Networking EventsAttend events to connect with potential employers.
Collaborative WorkCollaborate on coding projects for skill development.
Mentorship ProgramsAccess mentorship for career growth and skill enhancement.

On the other hand, someone developing an online casino could be familiar with developing slot games but could be lacking the knowledge needed when it comes to implementing promotion systems where players can redeem offers like new free spins no deposit, or loyalty points. This is where experienced coders can come in and provide the support needed to finish these projects on time and on budget.

Get Feedback

Wondering how well you did on a project or a portion of a project? Nobody gives better feedback than the experts themselves! Coding communities can be a great place to seek and give feedback. Whether it be on your website design, a game you are coding or even just a small tweak in some existing code, if you want feedback from people who value feedback just as much as you, these groups are the place to go.

Depending on the community, you may even find that people are willing to test out your software/product/service/game free of charge and give you honest feedback on their experience. And while anybody can critique your work, hearing it from people who can also offer viable solutions to the problems they raise can give you a huge helping hand in improving your projects.

Where Can You Find Free Coding Resources Online?

Besides getting human help, dozens of online websites offer resources for coders for all kinds of projects. Whether you want to reuse pre-written code or learn more about a particular coding language, you can find almost anything online to help you on your programming journey. Here are some of the coolest online resources for coders that are worth looking into:

  • Khan Academy: As one of the leading platforms for online courses and education, it’s no surprise that Khan Academy has countless courses in the coding space. Whether you want to learn the basics of computer programming or a specific language like Python or HTML, there is a course for you.
  • GitHub: GitHub is an online repository for coders and developers to store their work, collaborate on projects, and get feedback from others in the community. This resource can be particularly helpful if you work on smaller projects like a simple website or game that can use code written for other projects since many coders will share their codes on GitHub for others to use free of charge (or paid) to save time and energy.
  • Stack Overflow: Stack Overflow is essentially a huge coding community with a lot to offer coders of any experience level. Through its forum layout, coders can ask questions, answer them, seek feedback, give feedback, and collaborate on projects with other coders. This platform also offers comprehensive documentation to help coders understand different coding topics.
  • Codecademy: Codecademy offers online courses and tutorials for coders of all levels. From basic HTML & CSS to more complex languages like Java, Python or Ruby, you can find plenty of material here to help you get better at coding. The great thing about Codecademy is that you are able to go through the material at your own pace, and you can even do a course in less than a day if you so desire.

Conclusion

Coding has its ups and downs, there’s no denying that. But when it comes to overcoming struggles and bumps in the road, a coding community can go a long way, especially once you find the right one. By using the tips and tricks offered in this article, you will surely have a headstart in finding your coding community and making the most of it.

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What Coding Language is Best for Beginners? https://hyperfun.org/what-coding-language-is-best-for-beginners/ Tue, 08 Nov 2022 18:26:19 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=45 Like so many questions in life, there is no single right answer to the question, “What is the best programming language for beginners?”  Every coding language has its pros and cons and each application may benefit from using one language...

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Like so many questions in life, there is no single right answer to the question, “What is the best programming language for beginners?”  Every coding language has its pros and cons and each application may benefit from using one language over another. Still, if you are looking for the right coding language for beginners, there are a few that stand out because they are easier to learn and they complement well with other languages and platforms. 

What are the most popular programming languages? And what are they used for? 

‌According to GitHub, an advanced programming platform that allows users to create, store and distribute software, these are the most used coding languages: 

  1. JavaScript 
  2. Python 
  3. Java 
  4. C/C++ 
  5. Go  
  6. Ruby 
  7. PHP 
  8. C# 
  9. Swift 
  10. Rust 

The ratings are based on the number of times each particular coding language was pulled from GitHub to be used, but they do not tell us about the actual uses for these languages or how suited they are for coding for beginners. Being on this list does not automatically mean that any of these constitute the best coding language for beginners, but being on this list does indicate popularity and common use. 

‌That being said, you can surmise that the most in-demand languages are highly sought after for a reason: the highest number of people found them to be valuable. 

JavaScript 

JavaScript is the most popular coding language for two simple reasons: it is highly versatile and is quite easy to learn. This makes it a good candidate for your first programming language. Once learned, it can be used to build everything, from websites to servers to apps. It allows users to work on both the server-side and the client-side — or front-end web development — giving a team more flexibility to share the workload. 

‌The most common careers that employ people able to use JavaScript are software engineers, mobile developers, front-end developers, and full-stack developers.  ‌

Python 

Python is a popular coding language because it can be used in a wide variety of situations and it is easy to learn, even for those who are new to coding. But don’t be fooled by its ease of use. Python is a powerful tool, used by giants in the digital world like Google and Facebook. 

‌Although Python can, and is, regularly used for website development, it can do so much more. It can be used for animating, scientific computing, machine learning, and creating, searching, and organizing data sets.  

‌There is a wide variety of careers in need of Python users as well, including data scientists, software developers and engineers, as well as analysts of all types.‌

Java 

Java has been one of the most popular languages for over 20 years because of its reliability, scalability and cross-platform compatibility, and is used by companies like Google, Uber, and Netflix. It is more complex and harder to learn than some of the newer languages, but that does not make it any less useful. It is commonly used to build mobile apps, back-ends, and especially used for machine learning because of its speed.

‌The careers that are looking for Java users include data analysts, scientists, and front-end, back-end, full-stack, and mobile developers. ‌

C/C++ 

While not the easiest coding language for a beginner to learn, tackling it may be a wise choice. Not only are its users in high demand, but comprehending the complexities of this language makes it that much easier to learn other programming languages. 

‌C is popular because of its speed and reliability, and because it is the root of so many other coding languages. C++ is an updated version that is frequently used for computer programming.  

C/C++ are frequently used for coding programs that are very graphics heavy- think gaming, photo and video editing apps, etc. Mobile developers are the most common employers of C/C++ coders. 

Go 

Go is a relatively new language that is growing in popularity because it is easy to learn and simple to use. Designed by Google as an alternative to some of the older languages, like Java and C++, it can tackle most of the applications in a more user-friendly way. 

‌While it is not in huge demand yet, it might be a wise choice for those just entering into the coding game, since there aren’t many experienced Go users out there. 

‌Go users generally work in the data science fields, but the options may increase as the popularity of this language continues to rise. 

Ruby 

‌Ruby is a scripting language that is used most frequently for web development. While it does not have a large variety of uses, it is still in demand because it is used by many major businesses, including Airbnb and Shopify. 

‌While there are not a tremendous number of jobs available using this language, its relative obscurity means that those who know it are in high demand and are frequently paid above industry standards. 

‌The most common careers that use Ruby are Software engineers and back-end developers.   

PHP  

‌While PHP’s popularity may be waning, it is far from a dead language. It is still very commonly used in website building and may be present in as many as 79% of those sites on the web today. 

While not the simplest coding language for beginners, its heavy use worldwide in websites means that those who know how to use it are always in demand. 

‌Most people who use PHP find careers as website developers. 

C# 

C# was developed by Microsoft principally to be used as part of their .NET framework for building Windows applications. Microsoft, and their .NET framework, is one of the most widely used software companies by businesses large and small, and so jobs for those who write C# are currently, and likely will continue to be, in high demand. 

Most users of C# end up in careers that revolve around mobile or game development. 

Swift 

Swift is a newer coding language created exclusively for use in the development of iOS and MacOS apps. It may not be the best coding language for beginners because of its narrow scope. However, those who can use it are well paid and enjoy a higher level of job security. 

‌At this point, careers for those who know Swift are largely limited to iOS developers. ‌

Rust 

Rust is a coding language that is well-liked by programmers because it offers a high level of memory safety as well as its high speed. Rust lets you work directly with the computer’s memory at a lower level than languages like Ruby and JavaScript. It can be more complicated to use, but it gives you more control over what the program is doing at a low level.

Because of this, is it frequently used by tech companies who understand the need for such security. 

‌There are not yet many jobs out there for those who use Rust, but that may change as companies outside the tech world see its advantages. 

‌Those who know Rust most often work in game or web development.  

  • Easy to Learn – JavaScript, Ruby, Python, Go 
  • In Demand – JavaScript, Python, Java, C/C++ 
  • Best Growth Potential – JavaScript, Python, C/C++, Go 

Understanding both your short-term and long-term career goals will help you to choose which programming language you should learn first.  There are many variables that affect this decision, including how easy it is to learn, how in-demand those who use it are, and how likely you are to want to expand and grow within your career. 

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What Is the Best Programming Language to Learn? https://hyperfun.org/what-is-the-best-programming-language-to-learn/ Wed, 26 Oct 2022 18:24:15 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=42 So you want to be a developer? Now’s a great time to learn programming. The salaries are high, the job demand is growing, and a new and exciting coding language tops the popularity rankings every year. But which is the best programming language...

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So you want to be a developer? Now’s a great time to learn programming. The salaries are high, the job demand is growing, and a new and exciting coding language tops the popularity rankings every year.

But which is the best programming language to learn? If you’re new to this, there are many choices to pick from, making it difficult to know where to start.

Programming languages are continually evolving—while one dies, it gets replaced by the new big thing. If you time it well, you stand to earn a lot of money. Or you can go with the tried and tested languages that have stood the test of time.

All of it is enough to make your head spin. Which programming language is best to learn? Which give the highest salaries? Are they easier to start learning? This list will guide you through everything you need to know about picking the best programming language to learn.

Let’s explore!

Every programming language is different. While each programming language has its unique syntax, how it’s written, run, and compiled can change everything.

Many developers prefer to work with certain types of languages. It’s also a lot easier to migrate between similar languages, so the first programming language you learn matters.

So what are the different types of programming languages? There’s a difference between scripting and programming languages? Let’s take a look.

  • Programming languages can be just about anything, but they’re often best for software development as they can be used on various platforms and tend to be compiled rather than interpreted. Most programming languages are intended for software development, to develop programs you download and run on your device.
  • Scripting languages are just the opposite. They’re often interpreted, which means their code runs on the fly rather than going through a compiling process inside a program. Web development languages are often scripting languages.
  • Markup languages aren’t precisely programming languages, but they’re used for web development. These are human-readable tags used to format a document.
  • Web development languages are specialized for creating websites, either in the frontend or backend.
  • Frontend (or client-side) languages change a website in the user’s browser. For instance, clicking something on the website and producing an animation would result from frontend programming like CSS, HTML5, and JavaScript. It’s usually a combination of all the above languages.
  • Backend (or server-side) languages change a site from the server or application layer. For example, submitting form data, or changing something in the database, is backend programming.

You should also note that many people just use “programming languages” to refer to all coding languages as a whole. A scripting language is a specialized programming language, but not all programming languages are scripting languages.

Not all languages below are programming languages in the strictest sense, but they’re all used for coding.

Which Programming Language Is the Best?

There’s no clear answer on which coding language is best. Each has its pros and cons and shines in different situations. But when it comes to specific categories, there are a few clear winners. These are the best languages for:

  • Beginners: For the absolute easiest languages to learn, even if you have no experience at all, start with HTML/CSS, Go, Ruby, PHP, or Python.
  • Web developers: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are a necessity for frontend developers. Backend developers should look into Ruby, Python, PHP, and Go. And, of course, SQL for database management.
  • Software developers: C++ is undoubtedly the most powerful. But don’t overlook Rust, Python, Scala, or C#. It all depends on the software you’re building.
  • Mobile developers: Swift is best for iOS, and Kotlin for Android. But general-purpose languages like C++ and Java can work well too.
  • High salary: Swift, Rust, Scala, Kotlin, and Go all help you earn about $100k/year, with Scala and Go generating the highest salaries.
  • Popularity: Python is highly popular, and considering its versatility, it stands to stay at the top for a long time. JavaScript, Java, C#, and C++ are also quite popular themselves.
  • Flexibility: C++ might be the giant in flexibility, but Rust, Java, Scala, Kotlin, and Python all work well cross-platform and in various situations.

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Swift Programming Language https://hyperfun.org/swift-programming-language/ Thu, 13 Oct 2022 18:13:40 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=39 Swift is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm, object-oriented, functional, imperative and block-structured language. Swift is the result of the latest research on programming languages and is built using a modern approach to safety, software design patterns by Apple Inc. for iOS applications,...

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Swift is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm, object-oriented, functional, imperative and block-structured language. Swift is the result of the latest research on programming languages and is built using a modern approach to safety, software design patterns by Apple Inc. for iOS applications, macOS applications, watchOS applications, tvOS applications. 
Swift is easy to learn, easy to implement, safe, fast and expressive. Developing Swift in the open has its exciting aspects as it is now free to be ported across a wide range of platforms, devices, and use cases.
The features of Swift are designed to work together to create a powerful language. Additional features of Swift include: 
 

  • Closures unified with function pointers
  • Tuples and multiple return values
  • Generics
  • Concise and fast iteration over a range or collection
  • Structs that support methods, extensions, and protocols
  • Functional programming patterns, e.g., map and filter
  • Powerful error handling built-in
  • Advanced control flow with do, guard, defer, and repeat keywords

Memory Management – 
Swift uses Automatic Reference Counting (ARC) to manage memory. Earlier, Apple used to require manual memory management in Objective-C, but after introducing ARC in 2011 memory allocation and de-allocation became easier.
Swift is managed as a collection of projects, each with its repositories. The current list of projects include: 
 

  • The Swift compiler command-line tool
  • The standard library bundled as part of the language
  • Core libraries that provide higher-level functionality
  • The Swift REPL included LLDB debugger
  • Xcode playground support to enable playgrounds in Xcode.
  • The Swift package manager for distributing and building Swift source code

Advantages – 

  • Swift is open-sourced and easy to learn.
  • Swift is fast, safe and expressive.
  • Swift is approachable and familiar (C and C++ code can be added by Swift programmers into Swift applications.)
  • Swift is the future of Apple development.
  • Swift is enterprise-ready.

Disadvantages –

  • The language is still quite young and the talent pool is limited.
  • Swift is considered a “moving target” as it is a new language and the number of swift programmers is few.
  • Poor interoperability with third-party tools and IDEs
  • Lack of support for earlier iOS versions.

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PHP Introduction https://hyperfun.org/php-introduction/ Tue, 06 Sep 2022 18:11:36 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=36 Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is an open-source, free server-side scripting language widely used in web development. According to Web Technology Surveys, PHP is used by 78.1% of all websites, including high-traffic websites like Facebook and Wikipedia.  PHP code is executed on the server. What You Should Already...

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Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is an open-source, free server-side scripting language widely used in web development. According to Web Technology Surveys, PHP is used by 78.1% of all websites, including high-traffic websites like Facebook and Wikipedia

PHP code is executed on the server.


What You Should Already Know

Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript

What is PHP?

  • PHP is an acronym for “PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor”
  • PHP is a widely-used, open source scripting language
  • PHP scripts are executed on the server
  • PHP is free to download and use

PHP is an amazing and popular language!

It is powerful enough to be at the core of the biggest blogging system on the web (WordPress)!
It is deep enough to run large social networks!
It is also easy enough to be a beginner’s first server side language!


What is a PHP File?

  • PHP files can contain text, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP code
  • PHP code is executed on the server, and the result is returned to the browser as plain HTML
  • PHP files have extension “.php

What Can PHP Do?

  • PHP can generate dynamic page content
  • PHP can create, open, read, write, delete, and close files on the server
  • PHP can collect form data
  • PHP can send and receive cookies
  • PHP can add, delete, modify data in your database
  • PHP can be used to control user-access
  • PHP can encrypt data

With PHP you are not limited to output HTML. You can output images, PDF files, and even Flash movies. You can also output any text, such as XHTML and XML.


Why PHP?

  • PHP runs on various platforms (Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS X, etc.)
  • PHP is compatible with almost all servers used today (Apache, IIS, etc.)
  • PHP supports a wide range of databases
  • PHP is free. Download it from the official PHP resource: www.php.net
  • PHP is easy to learn and runs efficiently on the server side

What’s new in PHP 7

  • PHP 7 is much faster than the previous popular stable release (PHP 5.6)
  • PHP 7 has improved Error Handling
  • PHP 7 supports stricter Type Declarations for function arguments
  • PHP 7 supports new operators (like the spaceship operator: <=>)

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What is Kotlin? The Java alternative explained https://hyperfun.org/what-is-kotlin-the-java-alternative-explained/ Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:08:57 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=33 Kotlin is a general purpose, free, open source, statically typed “pragmatic” programming language initially designed for the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) and Android, and combines object-oriented and functional programming features. It is focused on interoperability, safety, clarity, and tooling support....

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Kotlin is a general purpose, free, open source, statically typed “pragmatic” programming language initially designed for the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) and Android, and combines object-oriented and functional programming features. It is focused on interoperability, safety, clarity, and tooling support. Versions of Kotlin targeting JavaScript ES5.1 and native code (using LLVM) for a number of processors are in production as well.

Kotlin originated at JetBrains, the company behind IntelliJ IDEA, in 2010, and has been open source since 2012. The Kotlin project on GitHub has more than 770 contributors; while the majority of the team works at JetBrains, there have been nearly 100 external contributors to the Kotlin project. JetBrains uses Kotlin in many of its products including its flagship IntelliJ IDEA.

Kotlin as a more concise Java language

At first glance, Kotlin looks like a more concise and streamlined version of Java. Consider the screenshot above, where I have converted a Java code sample (at left) to Kotlin automatically. Notice that the mindless repetition inherent in instantiating Java variables has gone away. 

You can see that functions are defined with the fun keyword, and that semicolons are now optional when newlines are present. The val keyword declares a read-only property or local variable. Similarly, the var keyword declares a mutable property or local variable.

Nevertheless, Kotlin is strongly typed. The val and var keywords can be used only when the type can be inferred. Otherwise you need to declare the type. Type inference seems to be improving with each release of Kotlin.

Have a look at the function declaration near the top of both panes. The return type in Java precedes the prototype, but in Kotlin it succeeds the prototype, demarcated with a colon as in Pascal.

It is not completely obvious from this example, but Kotlin has relaxed Java’s requirement that functions be class members. In Kotlin, functions may be declared at top level in a file, locally inside other functions, as a member function inside a class or object, and as an extension function. Extension functions provide the C#-like ability to extend a class with new functionality without having to inherit from the class or use any type of design pattern such as Decorator.

For Groovy fans, Kotlin implements builders; in fact, Kotlin builders can be type checked. Kotlin supports delegated properties, which can be used to implement lazy properties, observable properties, vetoable properties, and mapped properties.

Many asynchronous mechanisms available in other languages can be implemented as libraries using Kotlin coroutines. This includes async/await from C# and ECMAScript, channels and select from Go, and generators/yield from C# and Python.

Functional programming in Kotlin

Allowing top-level functions is just the beginning of the functional programming story for Kotlin. The language also supports higher-order functions, anonymous functions, lambdas, inline functions, closures, tail recursion, and generics. In other words, Kotlin has all of the features and advantages of a functional language. 

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Top 10 Reasons to Learn JavaScript https://hyperfun.org/top-10-reasons-to-learn-javascript/ Sun, 22 May 2022 18:03:40 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=30 There are two reasons why it’s sometimes hard to make a choice; either there are too few options to choose from, or there are too many. When it comes to programming languages, there is an embarrassment of riches, which in...

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There are two reasons why it’s sometimes hard to make a choice; either there are too few options to choose from, or there are too many. When it comes to programming languages, there is an embarrassment of riches, which in turn can cause mental gridlock. There’s Python, Java, JavaScript, C/CPP, PHP, Swift, C#, Ruby, Objective-C, and SQL, and that’s not even the full list! How do you choose?

Now, bear in mind that as far as programmers go, there’s no such thing as knowing too many languages. A programmer with a grasp of many languages is a programmer who is highly marketable and very much in demand. Upskilling is always a smart way to go.

Still, you have to start somewhere; and that should be with one of the more popular languages, one that’s experiencing unprecedented growth in demand.

We present to you, JavaScript!

So with this in mind, let’s explore 10 compelling reasons to learn JavaScript.

1) It’s the most popular programming language 

We start our list with possibly the most significant reason! According to Stackoverflow.com, JavaScript is the most popular programming language used by professional developers today. Even back-end developers choose JavaScript more often than not.

2) It’s in your browser

JavaScript is, without question, the default language of the internet. You need to look no further than your browser for proof since JavaScript was most likely used to develop it. Since browsers are a necessary part of any user’s online experience, it’s easy to see why JavaScript is so significant.

3) JavaScript also exists outside of the internet

JavaScript has many uses that go beyond its traditional internet roles. It powers smart televisions, works with the internet of things (IoT), creates native apps for iOS and Android, and builds cross-platform desktop apps, to name a few.

4) JavaScript is Ideal for Newbies 

Since it’s already installed on every web browser today, JavaScript spares the rookies from the chore of setting up a development environment. Newcomers can just jump in and start coding. It’s one of the most accessible entries into coding available, a value-add for beginners. There is also a large online community that offers support and advice.

Also, JavaScript is an excellent tool for beginning programmers who want to expand their skill set into other languages. JavaScript supports valuable skills such as object-oriented, functional, and imperative styles of programming. Beginner developers, in turn, can apply these skills to any new language they want to learn, like Python, Java, or C++.

5) JavaScript is Easy to Learn

Not only is it a natural language to use, but JavaScript is also easy to pick up. JavaScript turns intricate details into abstracts, making things easier for the newcomer. Unlike the higher-level languages, JavaScript has more of a natural language feel to it.

6) You Can Create Visual Effects and Other Eye-catching Aesthetic Features

There’s building a web page, and then there’s building a visually appealing web page that attracts the user’s attention and encourages interaction. JavaScript is so versatile that you can use it to easily add cool design elements such as animation, interactive maps, and scrolling video. Organizations and clients want web designers who can not only put together a technically sound page but one that also will lure visitors. If you know JavaScript, you can deliver.

7) JavaScript is Versatile

Far from being a one-trick pony, JavaScript empowers a programmer to handle any aspect of app design. Do you want to do user-side (front-end) coding? You can do it in conjunction with Angular. Are you more interested in the server-side (back-end)? Bring Node.js into the mix and you can do that, too!

You can also create desktop, mobile, and web apps with Electron, React Native, and React. If you’re intrigued by machine learning, then JavaScript will help you there as well.

8) JavaScript also Affects Big Data and the Cloud

JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is the go-to standard for data exchanges on today’s internet. NoSQL databases use JSON documents for record storage; and although JSON plays well with any programming language, it does best with JavaScript.

Also, more developers are turning to Node.js to build cloud-based apps, a very much in-demand market.

9) It’s a Valuable Tool for Game Designers

Games are a big business today, and developers who know JavaScript have that extra advantage. The language’s versatility, power, and ability to easily create visual effects make it a perfect fit for game developers.

10) Finally, the Career Potential is Skyrocketing

With an increasing number of businesses and organizations going digital, there is a corresponding increase in demand for developers who are familiar with the better-known programming languages. As we’ve already noted, that’s JavaScript!  

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JavaScript https://hyperfun.org/javascript/ Sun, 17 Apr 2022 18:01:39 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=27 What is JavaScript? JavaScript is a text-based programming language used both on the client-side and server-side that allows you to make web pages interactive. Where HTML and CSS are languages that give structure and style to web pages, JavaScript gives...

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What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a text-based programming language used both on the client-side and server-side that allows you to make web pages interactive. Where HTML and CSS are languages that give structure and style to web pages, JavaScript gives web pages interactive elements that engage a user. Common examples of JavaScript that you might use every day include the search box on Amazon, a news recap video embedded on The New York Times, or refreshing your Twitter feed. 

Incorporating JavaScript improves the user experience of the web page by converting it from a static page into an interactive one. To recap, JavaScript adds behavior to web pages.

 

What is JavaScript used for?

JavaScript is mainly used for web-based applications and web browsers. But JavaScript is also used beyond the Web in software, servers and embedded hardware controls. Here are some basic things JavaScript is used for:

 

1.     Adding interactive behavior to web pages

JavaScript allows users to interact with web pages. There are almost no limits to the things you can do with JavaScript on a web page – these are just a few examples:

  • Show or hide more information with the click of a button
  • Change the color of a button when the mouse hovers over it
  • Slide through a carousel of images on the homepage
  • Zooming in or zooming out on an image
  • Displaying a timer or count-down on a website
  • Playing audio and video in a web page
  • Displaying animations
  • Using a drop-down hamburger menu

 

2.     Creating web and mobile apps

Developers can use various JavaScript frameworks for developing and building web and mobile apps. JavaScript frameworks are collections of JavaScript code libraries that provide developers with pre-written code to use for routine programming features and tasks—literally a framework to build websites or web applications around. 

Popular JavaScript front-end frameworks include React, React Native, Angular, and Vue. Many companies use Node.js, a JavaScript runtime environment built on Google Chrome’s JavaScript V8 engine. A few famous examples include Paypal, LinkedIn, Netflix, and Uber!

 

3.     Building web servers and developing server applications

Beyond websites and apps, developers can also use JavaScript to build simple web servers and develop the back-end infrastructure using Node.js.

 

4.     Game development

Of course, you can also use JavaScript to create browser games. These are a great way for beginning developers to practice their JavaScript skills.

 

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Java https://hyperfun.org/java/ Fri, 11 Mar 2022 17:59:59 +0000 https://hyperfun.org/?p=24 Java is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages.

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Java is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages.

  • Java has been one of the most popular programming languages for many years.
  • Java is Object Oriented. However, it is not considered as pure object-oriented as it provides support for primitive data types (like int, char, etc)
  • The Java codes are first compiled into byte code (machine-independent code). Then the byte code runs on Java Virtual Machine (JVM) regardless of the underlying architecture.
  • Java syntax is similar to C/C++. But Java does not provide low-level programming functionalities like pointers. Also, Java codes are always written in the form of classes and objects.
  • Java is used in all kinds of applications like Mobile Applications (Android is Java-based), desktop applications, web applications, client-server applications, enterprise applications, and many more.
  • When compared with C++, Java codes are generally more maintainable because Java does not allow many things which may lead to bad/inefficient programming if used incorrectly. For example, non-primitives are always references in Java. So we cannot pass large objects (like we can do in C++) to functions, we always pass references in Java. One more example, since there are no pointers, bad memory access is also not possible.
  • When compared with Python, Java kind of fits between C++ and Python. The programs are written in Java typically run faster than corresponding Python programs and slower than C++. Like C++, Java does static type checking, but Python does not.

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