Survey Series: Which Area of Programming Do You Find the Most Challenging?

There’s no doubt about programming being thrilling and whatnot. But, let’s face it, it can also be a bit frustrating. Whether you are creating your first “Hello World” or debugging a full-stack application at 2 a.m., there is always “something” ready to test your patience. This blog  discusses about a survey that tries to define the challenges in programming.

Introduction: The Question

Recently we had posted a survey to get an understanding of what troubled our fellow coders and programmers. The question was

Which area of programming do you find most challenging?

• 💡 Problem-solving & logic
• 🔤 Syntax & language rules
• 🐞 Debugging & error fixing
• 📁 Understanding project structure

Each option was carefully chosen as they represent a core aspect each developer faces at some time. We were curious to understand and learn how the coding community felt about the process in itself. From aspiring developers to seasoned coders, the response was amazing and insightful.

This blog post breaks down the results to showcase the most troublesome aspect of coding based on the poll. In other words, the challenges faced in programming. Along with that, we’ll be exploring each option, explaining how to approach them effectively. Let’s jump into it!

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The Result!

The survey was conducted across two different platforms and two different regions. To get the maximum out of our programmer community, we had posted the survey in the Instagram and YouTube handles of both Malayalam and Tamil channels. A major eye-opening instance was that out of the four options, “Problem-solving & logic” emerged as the victor in all the four surveys.

Take a look at the snapshots of the survey from both Instagram and YouTube:

A Close Analysis

Now let’s take a closer look at each of the options, one by one. This also helps in how these challenges need to be approached to make your coding experience seamless and without any hiccups.

💡Problem-solving and Logic

This was by far the most chosen challenge that programmers face.

Writing a normal code is generally considered as an easy task when compared to writing codes that are closely related to real-life problems. This brings us to the question: Why is it hard? All programmers must be aware as to what a ‘loop’ is. However, it is only valid when you know how to use it and where to use it. Coding isn’t just syntax – it’s about thinking critically, breaking down problems and finding efficient solutions. Logic plays a major role when it comes to this aspect. There’s no point in knowing data structures until you know how to use them to make your work easy.

Tips:

Here are some practical strategies for you to consider if dealing with this problem:

• Try breaking problems into small bits – one step at a time!
• Practice coding rigorously until you get the knack of it
• Create a mental map of how you will before starting
• Gain a strong understanding of various aspects and their use cases

🔤 Syntax & language rules

Syntax and language rules did not create much of an impact or challenge as evident from the poll. This makes sense, as it would be a hindrance mostly for the beginners. Additionally, advancements have led to automation in coding, including the syntax part. Nonetheless, syntax and language rules are important especially when you switch between languages.

Tips:

• Try writing code everyday to build muscle memory
• Use code linters and formatters for ease of use
• Go out and explore language documentation and its examples
• Make use of flashcards and cheat sheets

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🐞Debugging and error fixing

Debugging and error fixing isn’t far behind as the most challenging out of all the surveys.

Debugging is considered as the art of finding and fixing errors – a skill that even seasoned programmers find difficulty in tackling. The frustration when your code is almost done and suddenly an unexpected error arises cannot be expressed through words. The major hindrance is locating the bug through multiple files and codes that is very exhausting.

Tips:

• Familiarise yourself with the debugger in your IDE. This helps in a smooth functioning of your coding experience.
• Analyse error messages carefully to help you locate the exact problem.
• Use print or console.log to trace values
• Explore the rubber duck debugging procedure.

📁Understanding Project Structure

Understanding the project structure may sound simple, but is equally important. Its complexity grows proportionally with the scale of the project. Navigating folders and separating concerns may seem difficult to beginners especially when the project is huge and incomprehensible.

Tips:

• Leverage and explore open-source projects to see real-world structure
• Learn more about file organisation best practices from tech stack and peers
• Start with baby steps and then gradually modularise your code

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Conclusion: Coding can be fun with the right approach

There’s no ambiguity in the fact that coding and programming is the backbone in our society as of now. From the mobile phone that you possess to the spacecraft that explores the outer space, everything is dependent on code. When coding has the potential to give outputs of vast complexity, it is bound to come across challenges. The challenges in programming are only going to grow over time mainly due to the new advancements that keep coming frequently. Overcoming those challenges requires the right approach by addressing and prioritizing them. By implementing the tips given above, these challenges may become feeble and invisible.

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