Teaching yourself Programming? JAVA, C++?

Question

Hi Guys.
Basically im looking to see if anyone can give me some advice on programming. I'm interested in teaching it to myself. now im not gona ask is it hard because i know like most things it probably is but if you put in the work it will work.

I'm a 27 foundation degree student in sport, however ive a load of free time on my hands and cannot find a decent part time job, therefore i'm thinking of studying something on the side in my own time as number one....there is a **** load of programming / java jobs about in my country (ireland) and maybe if after a good year or so by the time i finish my foundation degree i could become pretty handy at some programming, that said im wondering how long would it take to learn the basics.....would 6months be fair???? and also, could i teach myself so good that i potentially could land myself a job in programming?software development? or is there far too much in it to study it yourself?

any advice appreciated? esp from anyone who has done this themselves

p.s dont mean to insult anyone who has a degree in any programming, like my own foundation degree...the literature is out there without going to university

Answer 1

HTML is a good easy start for creating web pages - its the simplest thing you can do on a computer thats worth doing

Style sheets/css are a little harder as sometimes it dosent quite work out as you expect - it is a good way of getting your pages to display well

Then adding little bits of javascript allows you to do moving things (DHTML)

Then php language is quite easy as you can write 1 line programmes in your html pages and build up.

Mysql is a good way of adding database to your web pages after Jhat

java is a bit hard as you need to know it all before you can do it, the library files, the development environment (usually eclipse)

and a graphic program is a must (paintshop, or photoshop elements..)

Answer 2

I read a book that I found interesting, that wasn't necessarily about the topic, gave some information on it. It is the first chapter of the book The 10,000 Hour Rule by Malcolm Gladwell, and the first chapter or so he uses programming geniuses such as Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Bill Joy (Unix and Java) to describe what it takes to truly master something.



Basically the gist is that to really get as much out of it as you can, you need to be absorbed in it. You have to really enjoy it, and envelope yourself into the subject matter.



That's the end of the psychological part of my answer, I would read the book somewhere it is really inspiring to be honest.



But most people say start with either Java or C++, whichever suits you most, thenewboston (youtube) has great tutorials for both online.



Buy books, and solve problems. Programming is useless if you can't make anything useful.



But it really is a fantastic thing to learn, and I highly suggest it.

Answer 3

Check with working programmers in your area, if you can. In the US, it's hard to get an interview wiithout a sheepskin, unless you already have a lot of relevant experience and are currently employed.



One idea that may work for you (again, check first before plunking down hard-earned cash) is Java self-study and then testing for certification. I believe Oracle has continued the program that Sun offered before going belly up.



Yes...Take a look at:

http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=457&get_params=pillar_id:5



You'll have to find where exams are offered in your area, but it's something you can study for independently and then just pay to take the exam. Take a look at:

http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=457&get_params=pillar_id:5



Select 1. Java Developer, 2. Java and Middleware, 3. Java, 4. Java SE for a list of Java application certifications. Choose carefully and prepare well. At US$300 each, retaking exams could get to be an expensive habit.



And, to re-repeat myself, check locally to see if those certifications will carry any weight.