10 replies to this topic

[legacy]

sorry if this is not the right spot, it looked best to me, let me know if i should post else-where

It is my senior year of high school and I was considering a career in computer engineering/science. I haven't learned any programming yet, but I am starting for my senior Independent Study Project. Which brings me to my first question, what would be a good first language to learn?

My second question is is it too late to get into this field, even if I went to college and got a computer engineer major with a computer science minor? I'm a quick learner and I'm great at math, I got a perfect score on the PSAT math section two years in a row and had a 97 yearly average in AP calculus.

Any input would be helpful thank you

[Skippy]

No it's not too late.

If you have a passion for it you will supersede everyone else. Make sure you really like it though.

I recommend as a first language: Java.

It's just a language that encompasses OOP, is environment independent, has neat features (applets), as rich documentation and great official learning tools, is quite powerful and fast, and my favorite: it's syntax is very similar with C/C++.

Once you get the hang of Java, if you prefer scripting, Python is quite popular, if you want to get into lower level programming you can check out C++. Transition should be very easy between Java, C, C++, C#... it should be a little harder to get into a scripting language, the syntax is very different, but PHP is probably the best widely used scripting language close to the syntax of Java.

Other than that, you can be given the best advice in the world, the best resources, the best teachers, but the only thing that is gonna make you the best is your passion to be the best.

[WingedPanther]

No, it's not too late to get into programming. I've only had 3 classes in programming (though many of my math classes cross-listed as programming). I know many languages to one degree or another (probably close to a dozen if I include the little ones that I sort of know).

Besides that, finding GOOD programmers is still hard, and there is a demand for them. Note: there are, alas, a number of less than good programmers out there as well.

[legacy]

I really do love it. I've always loved computers, I just didn't realize that getting involved in programming was readily available at my age. My dad works for Dell/Perot Systems as a Senior Database Administrator and I'm constantly asking him stuff now that I've started working. It's fun to work on, hence the topic of my Independent Study.
I've read Python is easy to learn, would it be okay to learn Python then Java?
Also, I have to have something to turn in to show what I've learned in about 3 and a half months, any suggestions?

[WingedPanther]

You'll have a hard time making money at it now, but you can definitely get involved in open-source projects, and start learning. Sourceforge.net has LOTS of projects in various languages that you can help with.

For my money, learn whatever language catches your interest. People constantly ask what they should learn first, and I've basically reached the point of saying "it doesn't matter". Some languages will make the initial learning harder, but give a better understanding for others. Some languages let you "do cool stuff" faster, but hide messy details from you. There's always trade-offs between languages, and they all seem to come down to "which feels good to you?".

[Skippy]

I agree with wingedpanther.

The reason I suggested java is simply cause it's easy and has a huge library of functionality for you to use. It has great compiler checking and best of all it's OOP is well programmed.

However, if you look at java and python and you think python is the route to take, then do it. Like I said it has to be something you want to do. If you don't want to learn Java yet, then don't.

I say study for three months, then you have two weeks to write something amazing to turn in.

[legacy]

also, what are good ways to learn? what should I be doing or reading that will help me along?

[Skippy]

That's a matter of preference I believe.

I know people who are great at reading books and practicing while they read.

I'm not so great at that. The way I learned was reading tutorials, documentation, code, etc.

I would read small bits at a time, let it sink in and practice it.

It really all just depends on you, how do you learn best?

[sam_coder]

if you're really interested in getting into it professionally, you should look at demand. This can be as easy as looking at job listings, and trying to capture what's in demand.

I learned C++, mostly using MSL in codewarrior, but I begun my professional career using vb6, which naturally progressed into .NET.

At the moment, where I am, Java and .NET are very much in demand.

But that's jsut it, the specific language you work with, isn't as important as knowing a language in demand. You dont want to be the guy walking into an interview, an expert at 2 year old technology, when all these kids coming out of school can speak the latest buzz-lingo. =)

You should also keep in mind that knowing any language is only part of the problem. Knowing C++, java, or python is well and good, but if you can't interact with a database, or don't fundamentally understand how to solve the problem you're faced with, being an expert in the semantics of any language wont do you any good.

[sam_coder]

and my view is somewhat swayed here too.. if you plan on working independently, in my experience the "language in demand" aspect doesnt play as big. Because often your clients want a solution, but don't bother with the details.

sub contracting or trying to get picked up as a developer for a company, often times they would say
Intermediate Java EE developer for example.

[WingedPanther]

You learn by reading and coding. The details of the best way vary from person to person, unfortunately.