Programming - Advice?

[SamwiseRed]

Originally Posted by Naethyn [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

A computer science degree that will only be used in a tiny amount of areas. A college degree proves you can commit to something and follow through, and I could say the same about an Eagle Scout. The problem is CS doesn't actually provide any benefit unless you are in a specialized area (read: not actually making money - usually working for government)

There are two types of programmers. The 8-5 crew who is there to do a job (government), and then there is the guys who would be doing this anyways and mine as well get payed for it.

PS. check it for yourself: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=softwa...r&l=new+mexico
"Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (related field) or equivalent work experience"

Odd because all the employers I talked to face to face require a degree. This included every state/federal gov't jobs as well as all the good paying research and development jobs. I graduate next semester so I've kinda looked around into this.

[Naethyn]

I'm saying that state and federal jobs require a college education. It is the places actually making money (big websites, b2b services, app developers) that don't care at all about college education and would rather have someone with minimal experience on the job instead almost every single time.

[shatterblast]

Let's consider C# and Java from the perspective of making a game as a hobby. For those two, the main options are: Unity3D that focuses heavily upon C# and LibGDX that goes with Java. On that note, there is also Unreal for C++ usage, but I am only giving it slight attention in this message post.

In the beginning, the choice begins with what language you prefer. The three engines I listed have similar performance, and they start out free. It is common to begin with 2D graphics as you learn. I suspect that is a reason why so many Indie games look like they originated from the Super Nintendo / Sega Genesis era. If you even care about that, check out Steam maybe.

Unity3D supports more platforms than LibGDX in the area of gaming. In my meager opinion, LibGDX allows for more code control. From a professional view, Java on its own innately supports more platforms. However, stuff like Mono is allowing C# to catch up a bit.

I am not aware of how sensitive C# is to reverse-engineering. As of the time of this posting, the best protection of code in the wild for Java seems to involve a client to server relationship similar to Diablo 3. That alone isn't enough of course. As examples, Spine and Minecraft employ that tactic with whatever measures of success.

As a final note, mixing Blender and Manuel Bastioni's work can be fun. I am using some of the stuff as a reference for my 2D hobby. Also, Krita rocks if you can draw. It can go well with GIMP, depending on how you use it.

[mickmoranis]

yea def dont try to pull the wool over a programmer they already nihilists as it is, dont push em.

I think one of the best things you can do if you are interested in programming but dont know where to start is go to your local city college and take an Intro to C++ class to familiarize yourself with the basics. Then figure out what you're interested in and research languages that are the leading industry of your choice's flavor of the month.

Lots of ppl are using python in AI tech right now for example, idk if its going to stay that way, it may, it may not, but whatever. but if that's what you were interested in trying out in the imitate future spend like 2 years at city collage and try to get a job in tech. Tech is nuts they programmers like crazy.

Or decide to just go all in and do get a degree if you cant quite figure out how to forge your own path.

But dont try to BS your way into any jobs and take it all seriously cus like everyone agrees, they'll catch you and have no remorse when they throw your resume in the garbage.

Also if you dont want to take a class, find an intro to c++ book that schools use and just read/work through the whole thing. Youll be suprised at what you can accomplish after even just that.

[mickmoranis]

Yea.. I think its important to be in a situation where you can turn and say, hey why the fuck is this happening? to someone.. becuse when youre doing something like coding.. you could be doing it 110% correctly and still be like, "well shit I have no idea why that works.."

[GradnerLives]

Plenty of jobs in web-dev, both freelance and salary. I'd recommend javascript as a starting point over Java/C#/C++ as it's easier to test/play around with, the fundamentals of object oriented programming will apply across the board, and the job market is enormous.

If you do follow that course, however, get into React or Angular right away (well, as soon as you understand the basics of the language). Learning more traditional web frameworks and then trying to apply that knowledge to the way React and Angular work is honestly more difficult than just starting with them from the get-go.

It's a great time for eager web developers. Massive shifts away from the more traditional app design standards as well as the adoption of ES6 (newish standard of javascript) have really changed the landscape. It's been a real equalizer between new grads and industry vets.

Web dev also has the advantage of being very 'flavor of the month'. You don't find many companies with weird esoteric requirements. For the most part, they're all looking for people with experience in the same 5-6 libraries as everyone else. Alot of other platforms can get very specific and you'll wind up getting a huge amount of experience in a C# library or reporting system that won't really apply to other positions. Just makes for an easier job-market.

If you're starting out, make the projects that you want to make. Just think of something that would be neat and see it through until it works the way you pictured. Push your changes to github often so that a potential employer can see that you're consistently working.

You don't need a CS degree for 90% of web dev positions, but you DO need to be prepared to show them why they shouldn't be concerned that you don't have one (relevant experience must be demonstrable, otherwise it isn't that relevant). Have a full github, have a knowledge of the types of questions you'll be asked in an interview, speak to developers to get an idea of what sort of things to focus on in the interview.

[shatterblast]

Originally Posted by mickmoranis [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Yea.. I think its important to be in a situation where you can turn and say, hey why the fuck is this happening? to someone.. becuse when youre doing something like coding.. you could be doing it 110% correctly and still be like, "well shit I have no idea why that works.."

Originally Posted by mickmoranis [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Yea.. I think its important to be in a situation where you can turn and say, hey why the fuck is this happening? to someone.. becuse when youre doing something like coding.. you could be doing it 110% correctly and still be like, "well shit I have no idea why that works.."

I'll agree that you are both right. Having input available helped a lot for my first Java 8 certification. In regards to Java, Enthuware and StackExchange assist with my WTF moments in that language.

My school recommended Lynda and uCertify as study aides, but I feel those sites only assist so far. Yep, human interaction does more.

[shatterblast]

It seems I made a mistake in my above post, and I can't edit it now. I should have quoted maskedmelon instead of just mickmoranis.

[mickmoranis]

Originally Posted by shatterblast [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

It seems I made a mistake in my above post, and I can't edit it now. I should have quoted maskedmelon instead of just mickmoranis.

No, I like that you quoted me twice, makes me feel smart/important.

[maskedmelonpai]

Guess I was looking for something more tangible ^^; I dinked around in basic when I was little and did some C, but decided against pursuing it because while I had some fun with it, there were nerds who LOVED it and I didn't feel like investing the time to compete with that. Of course now I've invested more time in something I don't like at all, have no natural aptitude for and have only succeeded based on good impression, perceived potential and personality ^^; Maybe too late to change or may still not be my thing (my brain is prone to error and I am highly unobservant so I found debugging frustrating), was just curious ^^