I will share many free coding sites by explaining my background in a narrative format. Or if that bores you, you can scroll to the very end where I have all the free resources in a list. Here goes…
I first thought of learning programming in June 2012. I started with this free Python learning resource. Time flew by, it was fun and interesting, and it just felt right to me.
I next started learning from Codecademy, specifically JavaScript.
I then started taking courses at the local community college including a year of Data Structures and classes such as Assembly Programming.
I met a classmate who did not have a computer science degree but was working in programming as a QA (Quality Assurance). He told me his cousin was also working as a programmer. His cousin also had a degree unrelated to computer science but instead took a boot camp to earn a web developer job. My classmate said his cousin regretted paying for the expensive boot camp because she felt that she could have learned the material on her own.
I was intrigued by the boot camp concept and that led to my discovery of The Odin Project. This is a free Full Stack Developer Curriculum featuring Ruby on Rails for the back end, with HTML, JavaScript, and CSS on the front end. There is some teaching of JavaScript frameworks but Ruby on Rails is the primary focus. Here is a great guide to The Odin Project.
One of the best things about The Odin Project is the Facebook Study Group. It is a very supportive and helpful group. I highly recommend that everyone interested in learning or sharing programming knowledge and experiences join this amazing group. Members of this Facebook group are also learning from Free Code Camp, which focuses on the JavaScript Full Stack.
One amazing free resource for learning Ruby on Rails that I also mentioned in my Helpful Resources post are these videos which is also connected to this free forum. Another comprehensive free resource is The Ruby on Rails Tutorial.
I have always relied on Google and Stack Overflow for seeking answers and recently I have learned about IRC (Internet Relay Chat) which can provide free help in real time.
One of the best ways to learn is by meeting people, both experts and newbies, and Meetup is great for this. I have learned from watching demonstrations, asking questions, and doing presentations at Meetup events.
List of Free Coding Help
P.S. I am not denigrating nor discouraging paid resources. I absolutely am in favor of great teachers getting paid for providing excellent value. I am simply providing a list of great free resources for anyone interested in or needing free material.
bryanttunbutr 
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