When you start learning to code, it feels like stepping into an entirely new world—one filled with endless possibilities, yet equally packed with challenges. Some people breeze through the basics, while others hit roadblock after roadblock. But what really separates a good coder from a struggling beginner? To find out, I spoke with Manan Raj, an experienced programmer with over 10 years in the industry. Manan has worked on various projects, including Web 3.0 development, and runs DevSolX, a platform currently focused on PHP but with plans to expand into other programming languages and even launch full-fledged courses for free in the near future.
Having mentored many students and junior developers, Manan has seen patterns emerge—mistakes that he once made himself and now watches beginners repeat. Here’s what he had to say about the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
1. Jumping Into Complex Topics Too Soon
According to Manan, one of the biggest mistakes he sees beginners make is trying to build complex applications without understanding the fundamentals.
“When I started, I wanted to make a full-fledged website right away without properly understanding variables, loops, and functions. That was a mistake. I wasted a lot of time debugging issues I wouldn’t have had if I had just focused on the basics first.”
Solution: Start with a structured learning path. Master the basics before moving to advanced topics, and reinforce your knowledge with small projects and exercises.
2. Copy-Pasting Code Without Understanding It
A common shortcut beginners take is copying and pasting code from online forums without actually understanding how it works.
“I see this a lot in my students. They grab a piece of code from Stack Overflow, paste it in, and hope it works. When it doesn’t, they’re stuck because they never understood what was happening in the first place.”
Solution: Always take the time to break down the code you find online. Rewrite it in your own words, tweak it, and experiment to fully understand its behavior.
3. Ignoring Error Messages
Error messages are meant to help, but many beginners either ignore them or get overwhelmed by them.
“In my early days, I used to get frustrated with errors instead of reading them carefully. Now I know that error messages are actually the best debugging tool available.”
Solution: Read error messages carefully, Google unfamiliar errors, and use debugging tools to track down the issue systematically.
4. Not Planning Before Writing Code
Writing code without a plan leads to spaghetti code—messy, inefficient, and hard to debug.
“I’ve learned that good code starts with a solid plan. Before writing a single line of code, I now outline my logic, use pseudocode, and sometimes even draw flowcharts.”
Solution: Plan your approach before you code. Write pseudocode or sketch out your logic to organize your thoughts clearly.
5. Ignoring Version Control
Many beginners don’t use version control, making it difficult to track changes or revert to previous versions.
“Early on, I lost a lot of work because I wasn’t using Git. One accidental deletion and hours of work were gone.”
Solution: Learn the basics of Git and use GitHub, even for small projects. It will save you time and effort in the long run.
6. Writing Unreadable Code
Poor naming conventions and lack of structure make code hard to read and maintain.
“Code should be self-explanatory. When I look back at my old code, I realize how much time I wasted trying to decipher vague variable names.”
Solution: Use meaningful variable and function names. Keep your code organized, follow indentation rules, and add comments where necessary.
7. Trying to Learn Too Many Languages at Once
Some beginners think learning multiple languages at the same time will make them better programmers.
“I once tried to learn Python, JavaScript, and PHP simultaneously. It was a disaster. I didn’t master any of them until I focused on one.”
Solution: Stick to one language until you have a strong grasp of programming concepts. Once you’re comfortable, learning additional languages becomes easier.
8. Not Practicing Enough
Many beginners spend more time watching tutorials than actually writing code.
“Tutorials are great, but they can become a trap. You feel like you’re learning, but until you write actual code, it doesn’t stick.”
Solution: Write code daily. Solve problems on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank, and work on small projects to apply what you’ve learned.
9. Hesitating to Ask for Help
Beginners often avoid asking for help out of fear of looking inexperienced.
“I used to struggle alone for hours instead of asking someone who could have helped me in five minutes.”
Solution: Join coding communities, participate in forums, and ask for help when needed. Learning from others accelerates your growth.
10. Giving Up Too Soon
Many beginners quit coding when they face challenges, expecting to master it quickly.
“I almost quit coding multiple times, thinking I wasn’t smart enough. But persistence is key. Everyone struggles at first.”
Solution: Accept that coding is challenging and requires patience. Keep practicing, stay persistent, and enjoy the process of problem-solving.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes are a natural part of learning to code, but recognizing and correcting them early can set beginners on the right path. As Manan Raj emphasizes,
“Coding is a skill that gets better with practice. The key is to embrace mistakes, learn from them, and keep going.”
By following expert advice and focusing on fundamentals, new programmers can avoid common pitfalls and become confident developers. Keep coding, keep improving, and enjoy the journey!
