How to be a programmer:
There are many who would like to learn to program, from the ground up, but know nothing about where to start. Learning to program is a complex problem to tackle; especially when you don't know where to start and where to go from there. It is most commonly said: “The best way to learn it is to do it.” But to someone with no understanding of source code, compilers, languages, design patterns, algorithms or other such programmer's trappings, “doing it” is impossible.
Usually a basic understanding about source code and compilation come relatively quickly, but concepts about application design and project management are somewhat harder to acquire. I think that likely the biggest hurdle at this phase in the programmers education is determining the next course of action after learning language basics and basic control structures, such as loop statements – how do you take “Hello World – Press ENTER to continue” to the next level? How do you make something more than 50 lines of code and more than one source file?
What I am asking is this: Any seasoned (or not “so” seasoned) veterans have an tips for us newbie young guns?
I have been “learning to become a programmer” for about 3 years now (via CS classes and online resources) and still, I know next to nothing about programming. Sure I know enough Java and C++ to create some basic applications that will read and write and maybe access a network protocol, but how does that become and OS or a video game (that that these are anything alike). I have been told (and read many times) that becoming a programmer is more of a lifestyle than a process and that, like anything as long lasting as a lifestyle, it take a lifetime to truly acquire all the skills needed to call your self a programmer. Basically: Forget the “learn to do ____ in 30 days” books and look for the “learn to be a programmer in 10 years time” course.
Anyone?
Thanks in advance to any programmers out there hoping to aid in reducing the half-wits (i.e. ME) you will be forced to work with on projects in the future!!!
I will start off with one recommended resource tip that has helped me find the right path(s) – one that was given to me by a programmer friend: “The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master” 
There are many who would like to learn to program, from the ground up, but know nothing about where to start. Learning to program is a complex problem to tackle; especially when you don't know where to start and where to go from there. It is most commonly said: “The best way to learn it is to do it.” But to someone with no understanding of source code, compilers, languages, design patterns, algorithms or other such programmer's trappings, “doing it” is impossible.
Usually a basic understanding about source code and compilation come relatively quickly, but concepts about application design and project management are somewhat harder to acquire. I think that likely the biggest hurdle at this phase in the programmers education is determining the next course of action after learning language basics and basic control structures, such as loop statements – how do you take “Hello World – Press ENTER to continue” to the next level? How do you make something more than 50 lines of code and more than one source file?
What I am asking is this: Any seasoned (or not “so” seasoned) veterans have an tips for us newbie young guns?
- -Tips
-Recommended Resources
-Language Tricks
-Advanced Tips
-Generally: Any thing you wish someone had told you when you started!
I have been “learning to become a programmer” for about 3 years now (via CS classes and online resources) and still, I know next to nothing about programming. Sure I know enough Java and C++ to create some basic applications that will read and write and maybe access a network protocol, but how does that become and OS or a video game (that that these are anything alike). I have been told (and read many times) that becoming a programmer is more of a lifestyle than a process and that, like anything as long lasting as a lifestyle, it take a lifetime to truly acquire all the skills needed to call your self a programmer. Basically: Forget the “learn to do ____ in 30 days” books and look for the “learn to be a programmer in 10 years time” course.
Anyone?
Thanks in advance to any programmers out there hoping to aid in reducing the half-wits (i.e. ME) you will be forced to work with on projects in the future!!!
I will start off with one recommended resource tip that has helped me find the right path(s) – one that was given to me by a programmer friend: “The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master” 
.
