Five free tools journalists can use to learn how to code

The use of digital tools is second nature to many journalists, but how many actually know how to put them together?

Coding is a complicated art, but it may be worth learning the basics, even just to be able to make simple fixes to layout bugs on your personal website. For Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC News’ technology correspondent, it’s not a must-have skill for all journalists, but certainly one which could prove useful, particularly to young journalists wanting to stand out.

"I'm not sure it’s an essential skill for all journalists, but for young journalists interested in the profession it could be a really useful to have the basics."

But Cellan-Jones also emphasised the importance of combining the learning of new skills with the mastering of the key elements of journalism itself.

"It’s one skill which would be wonderful to have as a journalist, but it’s important not to spend so much time learning it that you never learn the basic skills of journalism, such as the who, what, why, when and where and of course the writing, which can’t really be beat."

That said, extra skills are always a plus, he added: "I visit Cardiff University every year to give a guest lecture and I'm always impressed at the range of skills young people need to have now."

There are plenty of ways to get a foot on the coding ladder, with the best place to start being the gaining of a good understanding of HTML, CSS and Javascript. Several tools are available online for free, as well as active communities of programmers offering tutorials and support.

Here are five platforms trying to make coding more accessible:

1. Don’t Fear the Internet

Through a series of seven light-hearted and whimsical videos, tutors Jessica Hische and Russ Maschmeyer aim to demystify the dots and the dashes. A great set of lessons for complete beginners wanting to learn HTML and CSS.

2. Thirty Days to Learn HTML and CSS

Set aside 10 minutes a day for web developer and trainer Jeffrey Way’s tutorials, which offer an in-depth and hands-on learning experience of HTML and CSS. Way also teaches you how to use programmes like Sublime Text through practical examples building simple websites.

3. Codecadamy

Tipped last year by Journalism.co.uk as a good coding resource, Codecademy gets people tapping away lines of code right from the get go. Even the New York Mayor has had a play with the software.

4. Team Treehouse

If you want to tailor your skills to specific platforms, Team Treehouse offer a series of walkthroughs based on three categories - web design, web development and iOS development. A handy tool for those wanting to learn the basics for apps as well as websites.

5. Snipplr

Once you’re down with the basics, Snipplr helps provide a simple way to develop your projects. The site collates snippets of code from its users, categorising them so they are easily searchable. This is a tool for people further on with their learning, but is a great resource of code snippets for different uses.

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