That summary line is deliberately hyperbolic, but I firmly believe there’s almost no better skill to acquire than computer programming. It’s impossible to predict the job market decades from now—thirty years ago you might have argued the world would always need typewriter repairers—yet computers and software are undeniably here for the long haul. Becoming an expert in how they work is a solid foundation, and even if “programming” evolves into something different, it will remain an invaluable stepping stone.
Today, programming jobs exist in virtually every city in the developed world. If you’re a skilled developer who interviews well, you can likely land a role in any city you choose, at almost any company. That said, it’s far easier to spot a weak programmer in an interview than a weak lawyer or accountant—so if you’re not yet a strong programmer or struggle with interviews, those opportunities may be harder to access.
Hopefully I’ve made it clear that programming is one of the best career choices you can make—short of becoming a lawyer, doctor, or oil baron. Still, the most important thing is that you genuinely enjoy the work. Learn to program because it fascinates you. I’ve known developers who entered the field purely for the money; they end up as mediocre programmers and, worse, they hate their jobs. Do what you love, even if it means a modest income. Really.
So now your question is “how.” That’s a tougher one. You can learn in many ways. Start by picking pretty much any programming language. Once you’ve learned to think like a programmer, you’re 90% of the way there. Java, C, Python—choose whatever appeals to you. The best advice I can give: think of a very, very small program (like tic–tac–toe) and then go write it, from scratch. You can switch languages later; Java is a decent starting point, but you have plenty of choices.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the programming community is that when multiple options are roughly equivalent, fierce camps emerge. “Which language should I learn first?” is a classic example—some people will insist you must start by writing programs on paper in a made-up language.
Seek out help and read tutorials actively. If you’re in school, take programming classes; if you’re out of school, it’s harder but not impossible. Beware of books that promise “Learn Everything About Being a Java Programmer in 7 Days and Also Get Certified.” Some are good, but most are shallow. Instead, spend time browsing the computer section of your local bookstore or library—thumb through anything that looks interesting. The more ideas you’re exposed to, the better.
I can’t overemphasize the importance of play. Write little 5‑ to 10‑line programs just to see what happens. Tweak them, break them, add a feature. Grab small example programs and experiment.
Programming friends are invaluable. Find someone who’s a decent programmer and don’t hesitate to ask them questions when you’re stuck or confused. Online communities like Askville (or today’s Stack Overflow) are perfect for specific, focused questions.
# Sites to ask programming QA
No comments :
Post a Comment
Your Comment and Question will help to make this blog better...