Question:
How can I enhance my programming skills?
Pengfei
2011-02-26 18:39:42 UTC
I took many programming courses in college and I struggled in almost every single of them. To this day I still have not got the hang of it even though I claim to be able to program in C, C++, Java, C#, and even assembly language. Recently I got a job as a programmer that pays pretty well but I was fired after two weeks because I could not get my program to work. Guys, what should I do? Should I keep trying or just give up and change my career? (I don't easily give up but this is not something I am confident in)
Three answers:
.
2011-02-26 19:09:17 UTC
I think you just need to find the right job. My first job was as a custom programmer - I worked on already built software, making slight changes to customize it for different customers. Because everything was already built, I didn't have to know ~everything~ -- I just had to know how to change things here & there. And as time went along, I learned more & more, to the point where I could build my own programs from scratch. I got pretty good at that, and learned some key fundamental concepts that I've built upon over the years.



I'm a .NET developer now. There are A LOT of moving parts - from databases to email servers & web servers, desktop clients, web services, console apps, file system watchers, services, loan balancers, DMZs, Active directory, phone systems, report builders & servers.... SOO many things to learn.



I can give you these pointers:



GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND. I guarantee you that whatever you're trying to do, someone else has already done something like it. If you're facing a problem, someone else may have already solved it. Google is a good developers best friend.



DRAW. I think it's very important to learn to express the ideas that you have for the software you're building on paper. In other words, you need to be able to draw what's happening. You went to school for it, so you know the symbols for databases & relationships, and you know what kinds of UI controls are available. Draw them on paper, and write notes about how everything is going to work. If there's a database, draw up the data model. If there are different machines (i.e. web servers, db servers, web services, client apps, etc.) account for them as well. Drawing diagrams of your architecture, UI, database, etc. are very important to be a successful programmer.



NETWORK. Whatever language/tool you're using, find a community or forum an join it. Try to help other people solve their problems, and ask the people there for help when you have problems yourself. By having other people at your disposal to help you when you get stuck, you make yourself that much more versatile.



DEBUG. Previously I said google was your best friend. Well, your second best friend is your debugger. Hopefully the language/tool you're using has a good debugger. If so, you should learn every possible thing you can about it, and become an expert with it. You should be able set breakpoints, step through code, watch variables, see the stack trace, and even manipulate code on the fly. The debugger is HUGE in helping you to understand how stuff works. It's like being able to cross-section an engine in a car while it's running.



Sorry this is so long, I hope it's useful. Keep your head up, keep trying!
georgine
2016-06-23 21:02:42 UTC
This can't be speedy, the crisis fixing talent wishes time to build up. If in case you have excellent Math historical past, it is going to be very valuable. I invariably think you must be trained Math (Discrete Math) for programming. Additionally you have got to practice, make use of sources on the web out there, for those who dont recognize whatever, try to seek for it first. The nice way to be trained is to have your possess mini task, doesnt matter what it's. Even you will have identical software however in case you consider which you could supply it a are trying, do it. You'll gain knowledge of lots from it. Once you're excellent a programming, pick up some e-book on Design pattern. It's going to sharpen your advantage in program development simply my 2 cents
Avineshhd
2011-02-26 18:41:26 UTC
go to thenewboston.com and try his methods to master the programs better.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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