Plenty of computer programmers are self-taught, but many will tell you that it took quite a while to become proficient and job-ready. As with learning anything new, your proficiency will come down to the amount of time you put into it. Learning on your own may take more time for you to get a job, but with enough dedication, it is possible.

When you’re learning to code, consistency is key. While you don’t need to spend all day, every day writing code, at least one hour a day will help you progress. Your time commitment will depend on your other responsibilities, so determine how much time you can afford and try to aim for about seven to 10 hours per week.

Anyone can learn to code, but those who have strong logic skills will likely find it easier to grasp. A background in computer science will give you a leg up, but it’s not necessary to get started. The full coding bootcamps—such as those offered by Eleven Fifty—run at a fast pace, but instructors are committed to helping students progress with confidence.

The most common coding languages are HTML and CSS. These are often referred to as the building blocks of digital design: HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is what makes up the content—text and images—of a website, whereas CSS (Cascade Styling Sheets) is used for website design elements such as background colors and visual effects.

Learning to code starts with understanding the common programming languages and how they’re used. A beginner will also learn the various types of coding, whether it’s for web development or designing software programs. Depending on the type of work you want to do, you’ll then choose which programming languages you’ll need to learn, whether it’s CSS3, Ruby on Rails, HTML5, or Java.

Low-cost or free websites that offer programming courses include Khan Academy, Skillshare, Udemy, Codecademy, and Coursera. Free and budget-friendly online coding courses can help prospective students decide whether a career in coding is right for them.

One of the best free online coding courses for beginners is Eleven Fifty Academy’s Intro to Coding course. Students come away with a foundational knowledge of HTML and CSS and learn what types of careers are available for computer programmers.

Other notable free programs include Galvanize’s data science free prep program, which digs into the fundamentals of the programming language Python. Hack Reactor has a self-guided software engineer free prep program that teaches Javascript basics, and Coursera has a host of free online courses that cover programming languages such as Python, C#, HTML, CSS, and Javascript. There’s even a free intro to coding course offered by Google called Grasshopper.

A number of computer programmers are self-taught. While it’s possible to learn coding skills on your own, your progress will depend entirely on how much time you can afford to spend learning fundamentals and practicing coding.

Many computer programmers turn to coding after years of working in a different industry, proving that a career in coding after 40 is possible.

There are online coding introductory tutorials from programs such as SkillShare, Udemy, and Codecademy. Many of these programs will have some free offerings, but they’re really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to learning to be a programmer.

Free courses such as Intro to Coding from Eleven Fifty will get you started on the right path, but you’ll need to log many coding hours to be ready for a job as a computer programmer.

If you’re considering a career in computer programming, Eleven Fifty Academy has free coding classes that can help you decide whether coding is right for you. While you won’t come out a pro, you will get an introduction to common programming languages HTML and CSS, and will likely come away with a better idea of which coding language interests you most.

You’ll also gain some insight into the type of career you see yourself pursuing, whether it’s becoming a web developer or finding a role in software engineering.