A lot of websites nowadays try to convince people into coding, going as far as claiming that it is an easy skill to master. However, the actual truth is that it is one of the hardest skills to develop as it is more of experimentation, instead of a step-by-step, guided process.

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There are some things that would-be developers should know before engaging in programming. 

First, get the basics right. To get the basics right, it is imperative that the core of computer science is learned. There are hundreds of online courses specifically created for beginners like Introduction to Computer Science by Wikiversity and CS50: Introduction to Computer Science by edX, just to cite examples. Simply choose the one that best fits the way you learn.

Second, build patience. It also a prerequisite for being a programmer as this helps you improve your understanding of computers and your problem-solving abilities. Keep in mind that computer concepts are somewhat complex and dealing with them needs a strong demonstration of not only patience but also resilience.

Third, set your goals and use this as a motivational booster. So if you're planning on learning a specific language like PHP, for example, simply set a goal to do a simple working script by the end of the week. Set another goal immediately after successfully achieving one to keep the momentum.

Next, try and start social coding. Beginners obviously need help, and it can be easily found on different social platforms for developers, such as GitHub and StackOverFlow. With Livecoding, you can even see other developers code their projects which are publicly accessible.

Lastly, try to balance your learning. Remember, learning and improvement are limitless endeavors. Hence, the term "developer" is used. New technology even requires developers to update and upgrade their skills.