Any computer programmers out there?

Question

Well i am 14 (yeah i know im young) but i have been learning to program in java for the past 5 months. I already know the basics and... then some, but i was wondering if you guys think i should keep learning it or spend more time studying for school and practicing sports. Can learning more now help me more in my future? or am i just waisting my time?

Answer 1

At 14, it would be truly strange if you knew for sure just what you'll do as an adult. I suggest you do and experience as much as you can. Sports, music, technology, art, etc. Narrowing your interests to just one activity can be called "focused"...but the more usual term is "obsessed".



So, if you're having fun with Java, by all means keep at it. Just don't make it the only thing you do.



Sports are especially good. Physical fitness helps with mental endurance and clarity and will improve every other aspect of your life. Provided that you have other aspects, that is, so don't make sports or any thing else the only thing you do.



More time for school? That depends on how much time you're spending already, I suppose. Certainly, don't neglect your studies. But, it sounds like you've learned a lot of Java on your own, so you know that not all education is formal. Do try to learn from school to, well enough to actually use the information later. Especially in math. Math is the most cumulative subject that's taught. After the World Geography test on Africa, you might never need to know the capital of Ghana the rest of your life. But everything you learn in math will be used again in future classes.



That's a lot of advice. Hope some of it is useful.

Answer 2

You're the only one who can really answer that question. It depends on your own interests and ambitions. Do you find programming fun, or has learning Java felt more like a chore so far? Do you have a plan for your future education or career that might draw on programming knowledge? Can you see yourself doing programming as a hobby? Do you think programming could help stimulate your thinking ability in other areas? These are the kinds of things to think about. And 14 is hardly too early to start.



Of course, getting good marks in school is always important. If you need to study to keep a good academic standing, don't let anything get in the way of that.

Answer 3

Try to get a good balance of both - programming and school. Dont make the same mistake as I have done - program ALL the time and dont study for my exams. My grades have really fallen over the past years and now I am going to end up with a 2:2 in Software Systems as a result. My portfolio doesnt look too bad though :). If you are anything like my brother (who has been programming since he was 6 (thats 6, not 16!!) and still getting the highest grades) then there is no need for you to worry.



Regards,



Richard

Answer 4

1. Sports is certainly not a waste of time. Modern cognitive science has shown that cardiovascular exercise improves cognitive function. Sports are also fun; whats the point in life if you aren't having fun? Find the balance that's right for you.



2. Continue programing if you enjoy it or could see yourself pursuing it as a career. After 5 months, if you don't like it, its unlikely you will in the future.



3. Learning to program now will give you a substantial advantage relative to your peers if you choose to go off to university and pursue a science, math or engineering discipline. While your peers are struggling learning how to write simple programs, you will be able to tackle more interesting domain specific problems using code.



Examples:



One of my former university roommates just finished his Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering. He spent most of his time in grad school writing C/Fortran/Matlab code.



Another of my former roommates is working on his Ph.D in Biochem. A good chunk of his time is spent writing code to predict protein folding.



Neither of them took any CS classes in undergrad. Both of them wish they had.

Answer 5

Sports is wasting your future, short of the handful that get famous that doesn't pay at all.



If you're already a confident computer programmer before you start going into a job, well, that'll pay.



But you should definately study in school, else you're screwwed because they'll turn down your CV based on grades.

Answer 6

Poor frog and princess....roflmao:):) I'm joyful to grasp the frog didn't must undergo from poisonous methane fuel fumes being within of that pocket:):) roflmao:):) A superstar you could have from me:) Thanks, Rags37:):)