How To Become A Programmer
83Career In Programming
So you've decided to explore becoming a programmer/developer. Good for you! This is a much needed occupation, it's highly rewarding, it pays well, and it's fun! The benefits go on and on.
Don't Do It For The Money
I'd tell you not to read further if you've gone into programming just for the money, but instead I will tell you that if you don't love this type of work from the beginning, you will burn out quickly. It's tough sitting in front of a computer typing away all day with very little human interaction (unless that's something that appeals to you). For me, it's not really even work; I do it as a hobby! Where can you get a job that's in an air conditioned/heated office or from your own home, get paid well, get respect from coworkers, and do what you love doing?
Career Path
No matter how much you love programming, you're probably not going to want to do it in your later years. You're probably going to want to gain responsibilities, authority, challenging projects, etc. The next steps beyond a developer are project managers, IT managers, MIS directors, and even CIOs/CTOs!
You Said Something About Fun?
As a programmer, you have the opportunity to make a device do something just by writing a few lines of words! Now, the words have to follow a certain a syntax, and spelling those words correctly is a must, but, hey, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it! How would you like to make your iPhone ring a specific ringtone if it detects a certain phrase or email address in an incoming email? I don't know if you can actually do this, but wouldn't it be fun if you were the first to write something like this (or, if it's already been done, to do it yourself anyway)?
Is Programming Difficult?
Actually, my fear as an aspiring programmer in the 1990's, especially when the "Visual" programming languages came out, was that they would make programming languages so simple, that there would be a diminishing need for programmers. Hah! Bill Gates and co. knew how to keep us in demand, because although they're making programming languages easier and easier, they keep adding more and more neat things you can do, making it just as complex (or more so) than it was in the earlier days. Also, a lot of people just don't like programming, and others just don't have the logical thinking that programming requires. If you posses these traits, that's what will make you a great programmer!
Getting started
Universities, colleges, or technical schools are the number one best places to start. Programmers typically need a bachelor's degree, or at least an associates, although I know a few programmers who've made it with just a high school diploma. Don't set your sights low, however. If you want almost guaranteed employment and higher salaries and opportunities for advancement, you need those pieces of paper you get from attending and participating in these establishments. You might actually learn a thing or two about yourself.
Books
I won't go into the myriad of books available. There's so much information available on the Internet, that it almost makes books obsolete. Still, don't underestimate the power that books have to offer. I've had an Windows API book from the late 90's that I still refer to every once in a while.
Startup Costs
You can typically download the compilers and IDEs (Integrated Development Environment) for free! Microsoft offers Express (free!) editions of Visual Basic.NET, C#.NET, C++, Web, and SQL Server (for database development), or everything in one huge download, i.e. Visual Studio Express! Sun Microsystems offers Java, and other tools.
Why download the programming language IDE? Because you NEED to start programming. Now! Right now! Get a <insert programming language of your choice here> for Dummies book, and read through it. Then, read through it again. Do the exercises it has in the book, and start thinking about things you've always wanted your computer or handheld device to do. Write your own word processing program, or your own word search program. See if you can find an interesting and free program that has source code that you can download, and go through it, line by line, until you understand what it's doing. SourceForge.net is one place you can go to download free and useful programs AND download the source code for them! Make changes to the code, compile it, and see what it does. Did it do what you expected it to do? Either way, you'll learn something from the experience.
Continue doing these small projects, compiling them, and making installation packages for them. Make them visually appealing, and give them the best graphics you can muster. This will give you good experience for when you have to do this at a company. Also, you'll probably want/need to show off your work to your interviewers, so your efforts will become the perfect marketing opportunity for yourself.
How To Start Programming
The search engines are now a great resource for examples of how to do any particular thing. Microsoft used to be known for their great help files which included code examples, but MSDN has become almost too cumbersome and it's easier just to open a browser and search for exactly what you're trying to do (include the word "example" and your chosen programming language in your search to get a working code example).
Get A Technical Job Or Work For a Large Company
In the meantime, try to get a technical job or work for a large company with an IT department. These are great launching pads into the development world. At a large company, pay your dues at whatever you're currently qualified to do, then try touting your technical knowledge and work your way into a position that's closer to your ultimate goal. I don't need to tell you to dress for the job you want, but, ironically, programmers are typically the worst dressed people as far as professions are concerned. Try writing programs for the things you do every day to make your job easier, but be careful not to violate their computer usage policies!
Rent Yourself Out
I, personally, haven't been too successful in this area, but you can also try RentACoder.com, eLance.com, GetACoder.com, CoderForRent.com, and other sites like it. The competition is fierce, however, and jobs are typically bid very, VERY low. But, if you're trying to gain experience, think of it as a great place to build your portfolio. Don't bid on jobs that you don't think you can do, however. It looks bad for your reputation at these sites, and people won't choose you for their jobs.
Social Networking
Of course, try networking yourself by joining local groups that cater to your chosen programming language. You can look for your local group by doing a Google search, putting in your language of choice, the word "group", and your city and state. For .NET programming, You can search for local user groups at INETA. The more passion you display at these meetings about your interest in programming, the more likely someone will try to help you at whatever you're trying to do.
Now, programmers aren't typically the most extroverted of the human race (programmers use a different part of their brain than the majority of the population), so, like the stereotype, I never did social networking, and my career and programming abilities probably suffered as a result.
Recommended Books
|
VisualBasic .NET For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Price: $23.09
List Price: $34.99 |
|
ASP.NET 2 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Price: $0.39
List Price: $24.99 |
|
Visual C++.NET for Dummies (With CD-ROM)
Price: $5.99
List Price: $29.99 |
|
ASP.NET 3.5 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Price: $13.29
List Price: $29.99 |
Personal Experiences
If you're interested in my own personal experiences, back in my youth (not that I'm that old, but probably older than you), I never thought I could get a programming job by only knowing the BASIC programming language (I had done quite a bit of stuff on my Commodore 64 as a teenager); it seemed like a dead language or only for beginners. I knew the hard core programmers were using C and C++. I never even pursued trying to get a job in programming/development, even though it would have been my dream job. However, after I had landed a job at a large company that allowed me move around from department to department (starting at the lowliest job and then applying for positions that I thought I could get and seemed interesting within the company), they allowed me to write a few simple programs for one of these departments (in one of the Visual languages). Actually, I didn't really ask permission. Some of the processes I had to do were woefully inefficient and still paper based, so I wrote a couple of "simple" programs that they still used several years after I left! I loved that job, but wanted better pay and to have the title "programmer" or "developer", so I pursued my associate's degree and put these simple programs I had authored into my portfolio. I contacted a few recruiters and then landed my first programming job. Woohoo!
I now manage the IT department of a multi-million dollar business unit, and have several employees under me. And, I still get to program and do what I love! This from a guy who flipped burgers until they were in their 20's.
Conclusion
So get out there and start doing it. If you just read the books and just do the exercises, it's not enough. Look at the source code of other programs, import it into your IDE, and step through it and understand what it's doing. Seek out simple projects you can do for your family and friends if you can't think of one on your own. Add these projects to your resume/portfolio, and when you get that first job interview, explain, with passion and pride, what you've accomplished!
Self Promotion
If you think you're interested in VB.NET programming, I want to help!
For a nominal hourly fee, I can set up a web meeting for you, in the evening or weekends, to show you the basics and/or the interface. We can go into more advanced topics as your interest and schedule allows.
You can contact us at the following web site:
I will personally talk to you and conduct the meeting, and it can last anywhere from a half-hour, to as many hours as you want.
IDE (Programming Languages and Interfaces)
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Comments
I think it was "MGA Gray". Not sure if they're still in business. I barely had any kind of contact with them, as they merely set up the interview, and collected their commission. I don't even remember how they found out I was looking for a job. It was a long time ago. I'm forever grateful to them, though! Without them, I might still be working at a low paying non-programming job.
This is awesome info!!! Thank you very much!
Thank you for all the wonderful information. I have been interested in programming for a long while and have never had the time to pursue any kind of career or any courses in the field, however, with the downturn in my current industry (property), I would dearly love to pursue this avenue. You say things so clearly in your post that even I can understand. I remember writing my first program on a com64 (I think), it came with a tape recorder and contained instructions on how to make a ball bounce across the TV screen, how old is that huh? Anyway, thanks a Mill. PS. Do you personally think that there is still money in it for beginner programmers nowadays?
Hi, GD!
Hah! I was just 14 or 15 when I got my first C64, and it didn't come with a monitor, disk drive, or tape drive even! I had to copy everything I got from magazines into the computer to get it to do anything, and then, when I went to sleep for the night, it was erased once it was shut off! I finally saved enough money to buy a tape drive, but it was frickin' slow, and I could only afford one game! (Or was it given to me? Telenguard was it?) I'd play the heck out of the game, and if you stopped the tape during the middle of it loading, you could actually get into, and modify, the source code! (Enhancing it, or "Cheating".) When I finally got a disk drive (where did I get all this money? Disk drives were at least a hundred or two hundred bucks back then!), the dern thing always had some alignment problem. I wasted the rest of my youth playing the Ultima (as in Ultima Online, but before the Internet was invented by Al Gore) series of games.
Anyways, yes, there's still money to be had. We're hiring a "kid" that only has a few years of experience for quite a bit of coin! He happens to possess the exact type of knowledge, personality, and temperment that we were looking for (and we have worked with him in the past over the phone for tech support), but, yes, there's decent money to be made still. Check out my http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-become-a-database-p How to Become a Database Programmer post. That's where the real money is, unless you go into game programming (which is a bit above my level of knowledge and temperment).
Thanks for the comment, GD! Best of luck, and please let me know how things work out for you, or if you have any other questions!
Please guide me I have completed .NET, PHP etc but I have't any project for working in this plateform. What should I do
Hi, Vikas!
Have you taken any competancy tests, or have you attained any certifications? What level of education do you have? Have you talked to any recruiters? If so, what have they suggested you do to increase your chances of becoming hired? Oftentimes, you'll find that recruiters are free with their opinions on what you should do because it's in their best interest to get you hired, as they often earn a substantial commission if you become employed.
What country are you from? I'm not familiar with the hiring process of other countries, but they probably want to see your portfolio of projects, your education level (and transcripts), and certifications you've attained or test scores for well publicised testing centers (online or physical).
In the United States, recruiters are the way to go, although social networking can help you as well.
Don't forget to find projects you can easily do (have the training or experience for) on guru.com, eLance.com, and RentACoder.com. This is a good place to start as well. I've mentioned that I haven't had much luck in this area, but bid really low on some jobs, and complete them on time! Explain the work you've done to a recruiter or employer, and you're almost guarnteed employment if you have certifications and a good education.
I hope this helps, and thanks for the comment/question!
Hi im just 15 but i love my computer and programming so i was wandering if you can help me out and give me some advice. im a very rational and logical thinker and without sounding to big headed im very academic. i no pretty much all there is to know about html, and im currentely learning javascript and im getting pretty good. also i know the basics of c++, ptython, pascal, batch scripting and im planning on learning css and html. im planning on doing A level computing and then doing computer science at university but in the mean time what language should i specialize in? im not that interested in web programming but anything sles i love, thanks in advance any help appreciated
sorry im planning on learning xhtml i already know html
Hi, Charles!
Sorry for the delayed reply.
C#, C++, and Java are the hottest languages right now. Just check your local newspaper's classifieds section to find out what the most "in-demand" languages are, especially in your area. I prefer C# for you (I actually program in VB.NET), but I'd hate to lead you down the wrong path. Our organization has standardized on C#, and I know a number of others who have done the same, so it's probably the safest bet. And, hey, once you learn C#, it's not that difficult to switch to something else, since the concepts are basically the same. C# has the benefits of RAD with most (if not all) of the power of C++. C++ is just too complicated for my taste, and RAD is almost impossible. Also, it (C#) has the backing of Microsoft, whereas Java is supported by Sun. Who is winning the war (either past or present?) As a final note, C# has most of the same syntax of C and C++, so the transition may be easier if you decide C++ is the tool you need for something or another.
Please let me know how it turns out for you!
thanks for all the help, but can you recommend any good books/online tutorials on c#? thanks in advance
Thank you for your good job!
is the age matters in starting to learn programming?
Hi, Charles! As I don't read books (too many "facts"), I'm sorry, but I can not recommend any books. I'm only partly kidding. The only books I've ever read or used (for programming) have been for reference only.
huong, thank you! No, age does not seem to matter. A colleague of mine started in construction, and found his way into programming. Not sure how he made the jump, but it's definitely possible. It's better if you possess an inherent love of computers, love the idea of making them do something, and have programmed or thought logically as a teenager, however.
I have wanted to go into programming for sooooo long now! I'm only 15 and hope it's not too late to start. I always love seeing what people do with computers and I wanted to know if it would help me to take A-level and IGCSE ICT so as to help me follow this career path? Also I wanted to know what you think is the best way to actually get started programming?Thank you soo much with this!
Hi, Estian!
I'm sorry to say that I don't know what A-Level and IGCSE ICT are, aside from an International General Certificate of Secondary Education, centered on Information Communication Technology? Either way, the more education you get, the better off you're going to be on the pay-scale. You may start out at ground level, but there won't be any proverbial educational glass ceilings to worry about.
Anyways, yes, the more education the better. If you're "only" 15, that's probably the PERFECT age for beginning to program! Your brain should be developed enough to begin to understandstand key logical and conceptual concepts.
As mentioned earlier in the article, the best way to start programming is to download a programming language (of your choice) and just start doing it. If you live with your parent(s)/guardian(s), ask them for ideas on what you can write to help around the house, like computerized shopping lists, reminders, alarm clocks, or other useful utilities. Make a word search program, crossword puzzle, or checkers game. It doesn't have to be elaborate or professional looking at this point in time. Heck, I'd be hard pressed to make something look professional. <grin> You can jazz it up later, and make it part of your portfolio you show to potential employers.
Let me know if there's something I can do to help you on your path! And, a sincere Good Luck!
The best to become a really programmer is to learn by yourself and above all practice.
I want to become a programmer regardless of my sex :) are there any good women programmers in the world? :)
I want to become a programmer regardless of my sex :) are there any good women programmers in the world? :)
but I still hesitate because I have weak eyes:(
but I still hesitate because I have weak eyes:(
Of course there are GREAT women programmers! Women tend to not pursue or stay in the field, however, because of the "guy" dominated aspect, and the "guys" that women tend to have to work with are sometimes stereotypically "geeks". However, if you're a geek yourself, you'll probably fit right in.
The programmers I work with are amongst the most normal people I know, but that's coming from Mr. "pcubergeek" himself, so take it for what it's worth.
I feel the field would benefit from more women, so, please join us! It's a blast if you like making machines do stuff by writing a bunch of words in a logical and syntactically correct way.
Not sure what to tell you about the eyesight issue. I've always wondered what I would do if I began to have severe vision problems. However, I'm sure many optically challenged people find programming as rewarding as any other job through the technologies they have now. It just might be a bit more challenging.
Read the books, find tutorials, find example programs you can write yourself, starting with simple and graduating to more difficult, get your degree and/or certifications (but a degree is very important), and please check back with us to let us know your progress!
i was wondering what's all the programming language you know?, and how long did it take you to master all of them? And what computer class did you took in College? And how much do programmer actually get pay? (different type programmer if you know), if i double or triple post sry something went wrong doing posting
and thank you very much for such great guide, also for Database Programmer guide.
Hi, Albert!
My apologies for not getting back with you sooner.
I know only two languages, really. VB and T-SQL. College didn't really offer computer programming languages at the time (unless you include COBOL--akk!), so it was mostly self-taught (first with BASIC, then VBA, then VB 3.0 and 4.0, etc.) However, knowing VB and T-SQL results in VB.NET, ASP.NET, ASP, HTML, light to intermediate JavaScript, light C#, light C++, XML, etc. Once you've mastered C# (which I recommend instead of VB) and T-SQL, you can do just about anything. In my college years, they did one thing for me that set the stage--they offered me Visual Studio 4.0 for $100 (easily affordable to me back then for what it has done for me since then). It came with C++ and VB 4.0 (and probably something else, can't remember).
I also played with PowerBuilder to learn databases (also around $100 at the time at the college bookstore), and C++ and C++ Builder. C++ Builder was by far the most powerful and easy to use programming language--ever! But, I would steer you away from it, because I don't believe you will see any jobs that use it. Please correct me if I'm wrong! There are C++ jobs galore (probably), but not too many C++ Builder. Maybe they're interchangeable--I don't know.
Since I know VB.NET, I can read C# code and follow it. However, when I go to look for jobs to compare salaries or just to see what's out there, all you see are C# jobs! Very discouraging. VB.NET is just as powerful as C#, but C# looks like it's going to be the "standard" for years to come.
It has taken me 20 years to get to where I am today, but someone smarter than me (and with more education) can probably get there in 2-3 years. I am jack of all, master of none, but the kind of jobs I do for the company are extremely diverse, and makes it fun and hardly considered "work". I have a programmer that wants my job, but he's been at it for at least 5 years now. I'm telling him to get his Master's degree so he can transition easily anywhere he goes.
I can not comment on job salaries in case someone from where I work finds this hub, but it's very easy to live on the types of salaries programmers make.
You can even have your significant other stay home with the kids, the salaries are usually that good (especially if you bought a home 5 years before or some time after the recent housing bubble). And, if a baby is on the way, you can usually find part-time/after-hours jobs to help pay for the upcoming expenses, and possibly even upgrade your home so that your older kids have their own rooms.
If you're single, you can have a great pad with enough room to have your fellow computer geeks come over, eat all of your food and drinks, and play on the numerous game systems you've acquired over the years, and still have enough money to tip generously at bars and other establishments.
Imagine if you married another programmer, and neither of you wanted kids? If money is what you want, and early retirement is in your game plan, programming is the way to go!
However, keep in mind that the minimum requirement for a programmer is their love for programming! If you don't enjoy it, you WILL burn out quickly. However, if you've learned how to program and you burn out, you can become an IT Manager, and make even more money! You need a good degree (or be lucky) to do that, however.
Hi, im Jake, im ten, and i really want to learn how to program computers.
I am wondering whar programming language i should start learning.
I'm 30 can i learn programming now. I work as a software tester.
Ramsey Hafser says:
2 years ago
What recruiter did you use to get your first programming job?