Understanding FHIR

What is FHIR?

FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is a modern standard for exchanging healthcare information electronically. It leverages web-based technologies such as HTTP, REST, JSON, and XML to simplify data sharing between different healthcare applications. This modern approach contrasts sharply with previous standards, offering more flexibility and ease of use.

Key Components of FHIR

• Resources: FHIR’s building blocks, representing individual pieces of clinical data such as patient records, lab results, and medication information. Each resource is designed to be easily implemented and extended.
• RESTful APIs: Enable easy integration and data exchange between different systems, enhancing interoperability. RESTful APIs are particularly advantageous because they allow for real-time data access and updates.
• Security Protocols: Utilize standards like OAuth2 to ensure secure and private data exchanges, adhering to regulations like HIPAA. These protocols are essential in maintaining patient confidentiality and trust.

The modular nature of FHIR allows for incremental adoption, enabling healthcare providers to implement it without overhauling their entire systems. This flexibility is crucial for smaller practices with limited resources.

Economic Benefits of FHIR

Reduction in Administrative Costs

FHIR significantly reduces administrative costs by automating data exchange processes, minimizing manual data entry, and reducing errors. This automation streamlines many administrative functions that were previously labor-intensive.

• Automation: Automates repetitive tasks such as data entry, leading to significant time and cost savings. For example, billing and coding processes can be streamlined, reducing the time staff spends on these activities.
• Error Reduction: Standardized data formats decrease discrepancies, reducing costs associated with error correction and rework. This is particularly important in billing, where errors can lead to delays in reimbursement.

According to HealthIT.gov, the automation facilitated by FHIR can save the U.S. healthcare system up to $40 billion annually by lowering administrative overhead and minimizing errors. These savings can then be redirected to improve patient care and expand services.

Enhanced Clinical Efficiency

FHIR improves clinical efficiency by enabling seamless access to patient data, facilitating better decision-making and reducing time spent on administrative tasks. Clinicians can focus more on patient care rather than paperwork.

• Quick Data Access: Clinicians can access comprehensive patient records promptly, enhancing diagnosis and treatment processes. This is particularly beneficial in emergency situations where timely access to accurate information can be critical.
• Streamlined Workflows: Integration with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and other systems streamlines clinical workflows, improving overall operational efficiency. For instance, test results can be automatically added to a patient’s record, reducing the need for follow-up and manual entry.

The American Medical Association (AMA) reports that FHIR integration can save healthcare providers up to $200 million annually by reducing time spent on administrative tasks. This efficiency also translates to better patient throughput and higher satisfaction rates.

Improved Patient Outcomes

Efficient data exchange and access to comprehensive patient information lead to better patient outcomes, which can indirectly reduce healthcare costs. Improved outcomes result in fewer complications and readmissions.

• Accurate Diagnoses: Quick and comprehensive access to patient data allows for more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. Access to complete medical histories can prevent redundant testing and procedures.
• Reduced Hospital Stays: Enhanced efficiency in clinical operations can lead to shorter hospital stays, reducing costs for both patients and healthcare providers. Faster, more accurate treatment plans can help patients recover more quickly and reduce the burden on hospital resources.

Statistical Analysis of FHIR’s Impact

Case Study: Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic implemented FHIR to enhance clinical data interoperability, resulting in significant economic benefits.

• 30% Reduction in Data Processing Costs: Automation of data exchange processes led to substantial cost savings. The reduction in manual data handling decreased the number of errors and the time needed for data reconciliation.
• 20% Increase in Clinical Efficiency: Streamlined workflows improved overall clinical efficiency, enhancing patient care and satisfaction. The integration of various systems allowed for quicker access to patient data, facilitating more timely interventions.

Case Study: Intermountain Healthcare

Intermountain Healthcare utilized FHIR to improve research capabilities and patient care.

• 15% Reduction in Research Costs: Efficient data integration reduced the time and resources needed for research. FHIR allowed researchers to access and analyze patient data more effectively, accelerating the research process.
• Enhanced Patient Outcomes: Better data accessibility led to improved patient outcomes, demonstrating the clinical benefits of FHIR. The ability to integrate clinical data from various sources provided a more comprehensive view of patient health, leading to better treatment plans.

Case Study: Boston Children’s Hospital

Boston Children’s Hospital adopted FHIR to integrate various healthcare applications, resulting in:

• 25% Reduction in IT Maintenance Costs: Simplified data exchange reduced the need for complex IT infrastructure. By standardizing on FHIR, the hospital could reduce the number of interfaces and custom integrations required.
• Improved Patient Satisfaction: Faster access to comprehensive patient data improved the quality of care, leading to higher patient satisfaction scores. Parents appreciated the streamlined process and the ability to receive prompt updates on their children’s health status.

Challenges in FHIR Implementation

Initial Setup and Integration Costs

While FHIR offers long-term benefits, the initial setup and integration can be costly and complex.

• High Upfront Costs: Investments in new technology and infrastructure are substantial, posing a barrier for smaller healthcare providers. These costs include not only the technology itself but also training staff to use the new systems effectively.
• Technical Expertise: Implementing FHIR requires skilled IT professionals, adding to the initial costs and complexity. Smaller practices may need to hire additional staff or contract with external vendors to manage the transition.

Data Security and Privacy Concerns

Ensuring the security and privacy of healthcare data is crucial, with significant challenges associated with compliance and protection.

• Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to regulations like HIPAA and GDPR can be complex and costly. These regulations require stringent measures to protect patient data, and non-compliance can result in hefty fines.
• Risk of Data Breaches: Robust security measures are essential to protect against data breaches, which can be expensive to manage and damage reputation. Healthcare data is a prime target for cyberattacks, making security a top priority.

Interoperability Issues

Achieving seamless interoperability can be challenging, especially when integrating with legacy systems.

• Compatibility: Ensuring compatibility with existing legacy systems can be difficult and require significant customization. Legacy systems may not support modern standards like FHIR without extensive modifications.
• Standardization: Consistent implementation across different organizations is essential to achieve true interoperability, necessitating industry collaboration. Without standardization, the full benefits of FHIR cannot be realized.

Future Prospects of FHIR

Increasing Adoption and Integration

As the benefits of FHIR become more widely recognized, its adoption is expected to grow, leading to further improvements in healthcare efficiency and cost savings.

• Telehealth Expansion: FHIR is likely to expand into telehealth and remote patient monitoring, enhancing care coordination and patient management. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telehealth, making FHIR’s role even more critical.
• Emerging Technologies: Integration with AI, machine learning, and blockchain will further enhance FHIR’s capabilities, providing advanced analytics, enhanced security, and improved decision-making. These technologies can leverage FHIR data to develop predictive models and personalized treatment plans.

Global Economic Impact

As FHIR adoption increases globally, its economic impact will become more significant, driving cost savings and efficiency improvements across the healthcare industry.

• Cost Reduction: Widespread FHIR implementation will lead to significant cost savings, particularly in administrative and IT maintenance areas. Global standardization can also reduce the costs associated with international healthcare delivery.
• Healthcare Access: Enhanced interoperability will improve access to healthcare services, especially in underserved regions, leading to better health outcomes and reduced disparities. FHIR can facilitate the sharing of health data across borders, improving care coordination for international patients.

Evolution of FHIR Standards

FHIR standards will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of the healthcare industry, with future updates expected to enhance its capabilities further.

• New Resources and APIs: Development of new resources and APIs will support emerging healthcare applications, addressing new use cases and requirements. These updates will ensure that FHIR remains relevant as healthcare technology advances.
• Enhanced Security: Implementation of more robust security measures will protect against evolving cyber threats, ensuring the continued protection of sensitive healthcare data. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, FHIR will need to evolve to maintain its security standards.

Statistical Review: Cost and Efficiency Improvements

Cost Savings Statistics

According to a survey by HealthIT.gov, healthcare organizations implementing FHIR experienced significant cost savings:

• 25% Reduction in Administrative Costs: Automation of data exchange processes reduced administrative overhead. These savings can be redirected to patient care and other essential services.
• 30% Decrease in IT Maintenance Costs: Simplified data exchange reduced the need for complex IT infrastructure, leading to cost savings. Standardized interfaces and APIs lower the cost of system integration and maintenance.

Efficiency Improvement Statistics

A report by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) highlights the efficiency improvements achieved through FHIR implementation:

• 20% Increase in Clinical Efficiency: Streamlined workflows improved overall clinical efficiency, enhancing patient care. This improvement translates into faster patient throughput and reduced wait times.
• 15% Reduction in Research Costs: Efficient data integration reduced the time and resources needed for research, driving cost savings. Access to standardized data facilitates large-scale studies and accelerates discovery.

Table: Cost and Efficiency Improvements

Conclusion

The statistical impact of FHIR on healthcare costs and efficiency is substantial. By automating data exchange processes, improving clinical workflows, and enhancing patient outcomes, FHIR offers significant economic benefits to healthcare providers. While challenges such as initial setup costs and data security concerns remain, the future prospects of FHIR are promising. As adoption increases and the standards evolve, FHIR will continue to drive improvements in healthcare efficiency and cost savings, ultimately leading to better patient care.

FAQs

What is FHIR?

FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is a standard for exchanging healthcare information electronically, designed to facilitate seamless data interoperability between different healthcare systems.

How does FHIR reduce healthcare costs?

FHIR reduces healthcare costs by automating data exchange processes, minimizing manual data entry, reducing errors, and streamlining clinical workflows.

What are the main challenges of implementing FHIR?

The main challenges of implementing FHIR include high upfront setup and integration costs, technical expertise requirements, data security and privacy concerns, and interoperability issues with legacy systems.

What is the future of FHIR?

The future of FHIR includes increasing adoption and integration, expansion into telehealth and remote patient monitoring, integration with emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, and continued evolution of standards to enhance capabilities and security.

How has FHIR improved clinical efficiency?

FHIR has improved clinical efficiency by enabling seamless access to comprehensive patient data, streamlining clinical workflows, reducing time spent on administrative tasks, and enhancing decision-making processes.

References

1. Health Level Seven International (HL7). “FHIR Overview.” Link to source
2. HealthIT.gov. “FHIR and Health IT: Cost Savings.” Link to source
3. American Medical Association (AMA). “Economic Benefits of FHIR.” Link to source
4. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). “Efficiency Improvements Through FHIR Implementation.” Link to source
5. Mayo Clinic. “Case Study: FHIR Implementation at Mayo Clinic.” Link to source
6. Intermountain Healthcare. “FHIR in Research: A Success Story.” Link to source
7. Boston Children’s Hospital. “Improving Patient Care with FHIR.” Link to source

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Why Use Power BI with MySQL?

Improved Decision-Making

One of the most compelling reasons to integrate Power BI with MySQL is the significant enhancement it brings to decision-making processes. Power BI’s robust analytics and visualization capabilities, when coupled with MySQL’s reliable data storage, offer a comprehensive view of business operations. This synergy allows for the extraction of actionable insights from raw data, enabling businesses to make well-informed decisions that align with their strategic goals.

Increased Efficiency

Efficiency is another key benefit of using Power BI with MySQL. The seamless integration between the two allows for automated data collection and transformation. Power BI can pull data from MySQL databases in real-time, clean it, and transform it into visually appealing and understandable formats. This automation saves time and resources, allowing businesses to focus on more strategic tasks.

Competitive Advantage

In a market where staying ahead of competitors is crucial, the combination of Power BI and MySQL offers a distinct competitive advantage. Power BI’s advanced analytics can identify market trends, customer preferences, and operational inefficiencies. When this analytical power is applied to the high-quality data stored in MySQL, businesses can identify opportunities and threats more quickly than competitors who may be using less effective tools or methods.

Real-time Data Analysis

The ability to perform real-time data analysis is another standout feature of using Power BI with MySQL. Power BI can connect to live MySQL databases, enabling real-time monitoring and analytics. This is particularly useful in fast-paced industries where timely decision-making can be the difference between success and failure. Real-time data analysis allows businesses to respond to market changes instantaneously, making them more agile and adaptive.

In summary, the integration of Power BI with MySQL offers a multitude of benefits that range from improved decision-making and increased efficiency to gaining a competitive advantage and enabling real-time data analysis. This powerful combination empowers businesses to leverage data in ways that drive meaningful impact.

Advantages of Using Power BI with MySQL

Power BI’s user-friendly interface makes data analysis accessible, even for those with limited technical skills. Its drag-and-drop features and intuitive dashboard design simplify the process of creating visualizations, especially when connected to a MySQL database. Power BI also offers seamless integration with multiple data sources, including MySQL, allowing businesses to consolidate data from various platforms into a single dashboard for more holistic analysis.

Real-time data analysis is another key advantage of using Power BI with MySQL. Power BI can connect directly to live MySQL databases, providing businesses with the ability to monitor key performance indicators as they happen. This is particularly useful in fast-paced industries that require immediate, data-driven decisions.

The platform’s mobile applications for iOS, Android, and Windows devices enable users to access dashboards and reports on the go. This ensures that data-driven decisions can be made anytime, anywhere. Collaboration is also enhanced through Power BI’s sharing and co-authoring features, which allow multiple users to work on the same dashboard or report. When integrated with MySQL, this fosters a data-centric collaborative environment within the organization.

Lastly, security is a paramount concern in any data analytics operation, and Power BI addresses this effectively. It offers robust security features like role-based access control, data encryption, and data loss prevention. When used in tandem with MySQL’s own security features, the result is a highly secure environment for your data, accessible only to authorized personnel.

How to Connect Power BI to MySQL Using the Devart ODBC Driver

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is a standard API that facilitates the connection between various applications and relational databases like MySQL. Devart’s ODBC Driver for MySQL offers a high-performance, enterprise-level connectivity solution that supports both 32-bit and 64-bit applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It enables straightforward and secure access to live MySQL data from ODBC-compliant reporting, analytics, BI, and ETL tools.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL

1. Download the Driver: Visit Devart’s official website to download the ODBC driver suitable for your operating system.
2. Run the Installer: Execute the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
3. Configure the Driver: Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator on your system. Click “Add” and select the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL. Fill in the necessary details like server name, database name, username, and password.

How to Connect Power BI to MySQL Using the Devart ODBC Driver

1. Launch Power BI: Open the Power BI application on your computer.
2. Navigate to ‘Get Data’: Go to the ‘Home’ tab and click on ‘Get Data’.
3. Choose ODBC as Data Source: In the ‘Get Data’ window, select ‘ODBC’ and click ‘Connect’.
4. Input Connection Details: A window will appear for ODBC connection details. Choose the Devart ODBC driver you installed. Enter the server name, database name, and authentication information.
5. Test the Connection: Before finalizing, use the ‘Test Connection’ feature to ensure everything is set up correctly.
6. Select Data for Analysis: After a successful connection, you’ll be prompted to select the tables or views you wish to analyze in Power BI.

By following these steps, you can efficiently connect Power BI to MySQL using Devart’s ODBC Driver, which offers features like SSL-protected communication, support for multiple platforms, and compatibility with various BI and ETL tools.

Conclusion

In summary, using the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL offers a robust and efficient way to connect Power BI to MySQL databases. This high-performance driver provides enterprise-level features, including SSL-protected communication and compatibility across multiple platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux. It’s particularly well-suited for organizations that require secure, straightforward, and fast data connectivity for real-time analytics. The driver’s ease of installation and configuration also streamlines the deployment process, making it a highly practical choice for both small businesses and large enterprises. Overall, the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL stands out as a reliable and effective solution for those looking to leverage the full capabilities of Power BI in conjunction with MySQL databases.

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Introduction to Software Engineering Consultants Outsourcing

Outsourcing software engineering projects can also provide businesses with greater flexibility in terms of staffing. Instead of having to hire and train new developers, businesses can quickly and easily access a team of experienced software engineers to work on their project. This can be especially beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources to hire a full-time development team.

Another benefit of software engineering consultants outsource is the ability to ensure quality assurance. By outsourcing to an experienced consultant, businesses can ensure that their software development project is being managed and implemented by experts in the field. This can help to reduce the risk of errors and bugs, and ensure that the software meets all necessary requirements and standards.

Benefits of Outsourcing Software Engineering

Outsourcing software engineering projects offers a lot of benefits for businesses, including cost savings, improved efficiency, and access to a global talent pool. This strategy can help businesses reduce labor costs while accessing experienced and specialized software engineers who may not be available in-house. With outsourcing, businesses can also tap into a global talent pool to access the best talent from around the world.

Outsourcing software engineering projects can also help businesses speed up development timelines. Experienced consultants can help expedite the process and ensure quality assurance by identifying potential issues before they become problems. Overall, outsourcing software engineering projects can help businesses focus on their core competencies while having experienced consultants take care of software design and implementation.

What to Look for in a Software Engineering Consultant

When looking for a software engineering consultant, it’s important to consider their experience, specializations, and pricing. It’s important to choose a consultant that has experience in the type of software engineering project that you’re looking to outsource. Additionally, you should consider the consultant’s specializations and pricing. It’s also important to make sure that the consultant is familiar with the tools, technologies, and processes that you’re looking to use for the project.

When looking for a software engineering consultant, it’s also important to consider their communication style and availability. It’s important to choose a consultant that is available when needed and has a communication style that works for your business. Additionally, you should consider the consultant’s track record and customer reviews. This will help you determine if the consultant is a good fit for your project.

Tips for Finding the Right Software Engineering Consultant

When searching for a software engineering consultant, there are several tips to consider. Firstly, it is important to research potential consultants and read customer reviews to gain insight into their work and customer service. Secondly, asking for references and contacting former clients can provide a better understanding of the consultant’s experience. It’s also essential to understand the consultant’s communication style and availability and to ensure that they can meet your project’s requirements. Lastly, understanding the consultant’s processes and procedures for software engineering projects will help you determine if they are a good fit for your project. These tips can help you find the right consultant and ensure the success of your software engineering project.

Advantages of Outsourcing Software Engineering Projects

Outsourcing software engineering projects can bring many benefits to businesses, such as providing access to specialized and experienced software engineers that may not be available in-house. This can result in improved quality of work and increased efficiency. Outsourcing software engineering projects can also help businesses reduce costs, speed up development timelines, and ensure quality assurance.

Moreover, outsourcing software engineering projects can enable businesses to access a global talent pool and find the best software engineers for the job. This can result in innovative solutions and fresh perspectives. Additionally, outsourcing software engineering projects can allow businesses to focus on their core competencies while having a consultant take care of the design and implementation of the software. Overall, outsourcing software engineering projects can be a strategic decision that benefits businesses in multiple ways.

Software Engineering Process

The software engineering process involves a number of steps, including requirements analysis, design, development, testing, and deployment. Requirements analysis is the process of understanding the project’s requirements and developing a plan for meeting them. Design involves developing the architecture of the software and ensuring that it meets the project’s requirements. Development involves writing the code and ensuring that it meets the design specifications. Testing involves ensuring that the software meets the project’s requirements and is free from errors. Finally, deployment involves deploying the software to production and ensuring that it is working as expected.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Software Engineering Consultant

In order to maximize the benefits of outsourcing software engineering projects, clear communication is key. It’s important to communicate your project’s requirements and expectations clearly to the consultant, and be open to their feedback and suggestions. The consultant may have experience and insights that can improve the project.

It’s also important to set clear timelines and expectations for the project. Make sure to set realistic deadlines and communicate them to the consultant, along with any necessary information or materials. This will help ensure that the project is completed on time and on budget, and to the desired level of quality. Additionally, maintaining open communication throughout the project can help address any issues or changes that may arise.

The Costs and Value of Outsourcing Software Engineering Projects

The cost of outsourcing software engineering projects varies depending on the project’s scope and complexity. Generally, the cost of outsourcing software engineering projects is lower than the cost of hiring in-house developers. Additionally, outsourcing software engineering projects can help businesses access experienced and specialized software engineers that may not be available in-house.

The value of outsourcing software engineering projects is also considerable. By outsourcing software engineering projects, businesses can reduce costs, speed up development timelines, and ensure quality assurance. Additionally, outsourcing software engineering projects can help businesses access the best talent from around the world, allowing them to tap into a global talent pool.

The Future of Software Engineering Consultants Outsourcing

The future of software engineering consultants outsourcing looks promising. With the ever-evolving technology landscape, the demand for experienced software engineers is expected to rise. Outsourcing software engineering projects is likely to remain a popular choice for businesses to access the expertise of specialized software engineers. Outsourcing can help businesses to reduce costs, speed up development timelines, and ensure quality assurance. As technology advances, software engineering consultants outsourcing will continue to play a significant role in helping businesses meet their software development needs.

Conclusion

Outsourcing software engineering projects has become increasingly popular among businesses looking to leverage the expertise of experienced software engineers. Outsourcing these projects can help companies to reduce costs, accelerate development timelines, and ensure the highest quality of software development. In addition, outsourcing software engineering projects enables businesses to access the best talent from around the world, providing them with access to a global talent pool.

When considering outsourcing software engineering projects, it is important to conduct thorough research and carefully choose the right consultant for the job. By doing so, businesses can rest assured that they will receive high-quality work, delivered on time and within budget. Overall, outsourcing software engineering projects is an excellent way for businesses to tap into specialized expertise and gain a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced business environment.

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1) A trial period. You must try this type of activity.
The fact is that mastering a profession takes six months or even a year of study. And you need, as early as possible, to understand whether you can or not. It’s worth investing your time and even money. Or wait for disappointment.

In this period you need to learn 2-3 technologies of real programming. But they should not require a lot of time to master. If you can handle it, it makes sense to spend the promised six months to a year on the next stage.

2) Self-study.
If you have passed the previous stage, you can invest your time in mastering the profession.

3) Internship.
Your first job and first money.

The trial period
What to do!

There’s really only one way to find out if you can do it or not. “To start programming, you have to start programming. And to start programming, you have to start programming!”

A lot of people think programming is hard, you have to know a lot to be a programmer. And that’s true. If it were easy, they wouldn’t get paid such big salaries. But on the other hand, there are many books freely available. And most of them are of high quality. Professionals from big companies tend to write huge books or articles where they describe their invaluable experience to others. Strange people, of course. Instead of getting a huge amount of money for their work, they do book writing for which they get paid less, if not nothing at all. These “oddities” will be discussed later. For now, we must clearly understand that there are few secrets in this profession. Most of the questions can be solved by searching on the Internet. Therefore, despite the complexity, programming is one of the most accessible professions.

During the trial period, you need to decide the technology on which you will start. They should not be too difficult and long to learn. But, on the other hand, they must be in demand by the market, so that even those couple of weeks or a month spent on them are not wasted.

Training manuals
A very important question is what training manuals to use. Here are the options in the order you should go through them.

Video tutorials. There are now a lot of them on any topic. Youtube is sure to give out playlists on any popular technology. It’s all very clear, and you should start making your first “Hello, world!” with them. There’s only one disadvantage. They may not cover all the depths of the language you’re learning. But you’ll have enough problems without them.
Multimedia textbooks. Most likely collections of video lessons plus something else. Very often sold for money.
Books. The hardest to digest. They just cover more of the intricacies of various technologies. Save it for later. When you have exhausted the previous options.

But just please, here and hereafter. You do not need to buy any courses and pay for miracle textbooks. All the “miracles” have been lying around for a long time, on torrents at most.

Solutions to technical problems
Showing willpower and patience, you heroically began to study the subject. And you began to face all sorts of technical problems. You can do everything according to the instructions. But your examples may not work. If only because the instructions may have been written for previous versions of software tools. The hardest step may be with the first run of the source code that you just rewrote from a tutorial.

The most common mistakes have to do with the fact that beginners tend to rush into things and think some things are optional. You, like any normal person, think there are secondary points in programming books. You probably want to get a quick result, in the form of an internship position. And there, surrounded by competent colleagues, you will understand and thoroughly learn everything. Therefore, “some tutorial” on JavaScript, which will not even be your primary language. Can be perceived as a marathon distance to be overcome quickly. In fact, any programming textbook should be seen as a field to be plowed. Anyone who skips over the little things ends up with unsolvable problems. And instead of the company of competent colleagues, they end up completely alone in learning the material all over again.

For example, you’re bad at memorizing a minor term? A couple of days later, the code interpreter or compiler will give you a verbose output about the error. Which will contain dozens of terms, both those you’ve seen before in the textbook and those you haven’t. And the error you recognize may be the key one. Once you fix it, all the others will magically disappear. Most of the reasons you drop out at the beginning of the course have to do with parsing errors from the interpreter or compiler.

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Why not? Because money is one of the weakest motivators. Allocate time, keep on learning programming languages month after month, try and make mistakes – it’s only possible if you really enjoy it. 

Before you go on courses, you should at least try different directions in development, watch video blogs of IT people, write the simplest scripts. If you like it and want more, this is it.

If programming languages are given badly, learning them is boring and “does not fit” – it is better not to torment yourself. In IT-sphere there are many interesting specialties, which allow earning good money. If you like to communicate with people – you can go to HR, and if you are creative – look at web design.

Is it possible to learn programming on your own?
It is quite possible – this is how many top seniors in companies have learned. This is a young field, in which the educational process is still being formed. Universities that graduate programmers are few, their programs are outdated at the speed of light, and employers do not require a degree in a field of study. The main thing is to have knowledge and experience. 

Therefore, the vast majority of “old-timers” are self-trained, there are also many of them among the new generation.  

There is enough information, reference books and video lessons on the Internet. The main thing is to have enough assiduity and motivation to force yourself to learn. 

For self-study it is important to break down the process into small tasks. Imagine that you are already working and have received an order. For example, you can create a small web site, get free hosting, put your learning site on the Internet and show it to your acquaintances. Or write a simple program that will carry a useful function. Realistic intermediate goals help you move quickly. 

Another important point is to find a mentor. It will be good if you can make friends with a working programmer and ask him to help you to understand the difficult moments. Not all of the answers can be found on the Internet.

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Junior – a novice programmer, a kind of intern. His experience is up to 6-18 months. At this stage, you need to understand what is being done and how to do it, but not necessarily be able to do it perfectly. The junior is actively learning from his own mistakes, and needs help from outside.

Middle – from the word “average.” Not yet a maestro, but already a confident independent expert. He or she is able to cope with the task without assistance. Able to interact with colleagues from his or her department and other departments, since understands not only “what” and “how”, but also “why”.

Senior – an expert with extensive experience, who can formulate his own task and schedule depending on the objectives of the business. Can solve problems ahead of time, even before they arise. Can delegate tasks between junior colleagues and help solve them.

Upon completion of training, you could say you are looking for a job as a programmer from scratch. With only theoretical knowledge and a little experience in implementing training and uncomplicated in-house projects. You’re a Junior. And the hardest thing for you is to find an employer without any real cases. What will you need?

Portfolio
During the process of training, you should have some experience. If they did not appear, then you have not studied well, and it is too early to look for work. Continue to practice. So, you should have examples of your own unique projects, written by yourself. Not by the manual from a textbook, not by the template from an online course, but from scratch, applying your knowledge. Very cool if it’s something original and spectacular, so it’s easy to demonstrate to a potential employer.

Prepare at least three or five such projects for your portfolio. Of course, the more the better. Before uploading it to the portfolio, let an experienced programmer or a user of an IT forum like Stackoverflow see the code.

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1. Understand HTML and CSS

I recommend you to read all the materials in English if possible – you will need it 100% in your work as a programmer.

After that it is worth to look at the possibilities of Bootstrap, which has become the de facto standard for accelerated development of web applications:
This will be enough for the next steps.
Perhaps at this point you’ll want to stop and learn more about CSS. This will give you the opportunity to work as a codifier – a person who makes a static HTML page from the design, and then the programmer brings it to life by implementing the logic of the project.

You can make money on this too, either as a freelancer or by working for an IT company that specializes in web development.

But once we have decided to become a programmer – let’s move on!

2. Get acquainted with jQuery.
   To do this, I recommend the book “jQuery – a tutorial for beginners.

If you like it, you can continue to deal with frontend and start learning Javascript.

If https://angularjs.org/ or http://backbonejs.org/ follow – that’s the way to front-end development. It’s a good specialty, especially since such knowledge will be useful to any programmer who has chosen web development.

My advice is to stick with jQuery and move on.

Learn the server programming language.
There is a lot of choice. The most promising programming languages are Ruby, Java, Python, Node.JS (Javascript for the server).

The easiest programming language for a beginner is Python. If you learn Python and then the Django framework for web development, you’ll have everything you need to implement fairly complex projects on your own.

A good option: the Python programming language and Django framework
On the plus side, Python and Django will teach you “proper” programming. Python is consistently in the top 5-10 most in-demand languages, and good Python experts are some of the highest paid programmers. Python is both a simple and easy to understand programming language for novice programmers, and yet is used in many large companies and on large projects.

Among other materials, I recommend Learn Python The Hard Way. the book “Simple Python. A Modern Style of Programming.” And, of course, The Python 3 Tutorial.

Django – probably the best framework for web development
The best tool for all occasions is very hard to find. Django has all chances to become such a tool for web development.

The alternative is PHP and WordPress.
Another way – to start with PHP and work with popular CMS. If you’re learning programming on your own and want a quick start – start with PHP.

Many people think of PHP as “not really” a programming language, and for good reason. PHP is rarely used in major web applications, and is designed only for the web – use it in other areas can not.

On the other hand – PHP leads in the number of running in the world of sites. It is the basis of the most popular CMS (content management system).

To get you started I recommend the book: “Learning PHP and MySQL” by Lynn Bailey and Michael Morrison.

After that, deal with the creation of themes for WordPress – this is the most popular CMS in the world, judging by the number of running sites.

Once you have a good handle on that, you can already find a job. Under PHP and WordPress a lot of sites, so there is enough work for everyone.

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