What are the things that a computer programmer should know?

Question

I'm a novice programmer and know C++ and Java. The problem I was having was that when I wanted to make a program I didn't know where to start. I knew nothing about software design or data structures or and thing, all I knew was the programming languages and I know that software development isn't only about writing code. So I download a lot of ebooks and right now I'm reading a book about software development as a whole. What I mean by that is the book goes through requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance and explains them in detail. The next book I plan to read is about data structures and algorithms. Then I'll probably read a book about SDL or OpenGl because I plan on going into game development so I need and API with C++.So my question is, what else should I learn?

Answer 1

Go to the website of your favorite college or a college well know for its computer science program.

Go to the website for the computer science department.



Look for the graduation requirements for the major.

This should tell you what they are looking for as far as education goes.



Go to each class and read its description. See if you have learned what that class was teaching.



You should be able to see what you have learned, and what you still should learn and be able to add some importance to what to do first.

Answer 2

I think you have sort of answered your own question. Learn about the things you mention, Algorithms, Data Structures, OpenGL. That is a year or two of work right there.



You say you know C++ and Java. Do you have 5,000 to 10,000 hours of experience in each? If not, you do not know them yet. Keep working.



Expertise takes years.



A point about eBooks. They are often NOT the best books (sometimes yes, sometimes no). Try going to a big bookstore and spending a couple of hours in the Computer Section. You will find the PERFECT BOOK for you (and it is not the perfect book for me or other people). Buy it! Read taht one.



Lastly, write code. You can start from scratch, or you can look for open source, download, and work on that. Get those 5,000 hours in.



Good luck

Answer 3

Read

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Algorithms & Data Structures by N. Wirth

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Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

by Harold Abelson and Gerald Jay Sussman with Julie Sussman

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How to Design Programs

by Matthias Felleisen, Robert Bruce Findler, Matthew Flatt and Shriram Krishnamurthi

Answer 4

Well I recommend that you learn about different sdks as well as different integrated languages used in games, I know from experience (I am a mac programmer) Xcode doesn't make games easily, but others do. I don't have time to do this, but I recommend searching for the programming languages of popular or your favorite games.