Is it worthwhile to learn programming right now? How long will it take to bcome an expert? Can 1 get employed?
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1. Is it worthwhile to learn programming right now?\n\nYes. \nIt is worthwhile to learn programming even if you only use it to express yourself artistically. As a programmer, you can think of a good idea and  you can develop it into its executable form (software). It's worth learning the art of crafting software even if you dont think about it as a profession.\n\n2. How long will it take to become an expert?\n\nIf you are true to yourself you will never feel like an expert. Consider that even the most important in software engineering minds of the century tells us that we are  clueless in making software --far away from experts [ref1]. If you were to phrase the question differently, perhaps as "how long will it take for others to think I am an expert?" then the answer is, it depends on many things. Probably the most important of them is the domain you choose although developing a passion for it helps. Generally speaking the newest domains have the least competition and give the best chances for building fast the misconception that you are an expert. If you are after the top technical architect jobs probably 10 years of dedicated commitment could get you there.\n\n3. Can I get employed?\n\nProbably quicker and easier than in many other fields.\nSpecially if you are good but that doesnt seem to be a \nrequirement because the demand is high.\n\n4. Do you think I can make it?\n\nThis gem by Daniel Allen that I found on the net will answer much better than I can. It's called the \n\n"Three Virtues of Programming" [ref2] \nLAZINESS: The quality that makes you go to great effort  to reduce overall energy expenditure.\n\nIMPATIENCE: The anger you feel when the computer is being lazy.\n\nHUBRIS: Excessive pride, the sort of thing Zeus zaps you for. Also the quality that makes you write (and maintain) programs that other people won't want to say bad things about.\n\nSo ask yourself if you are lazy, impatient and have excessive pride.. if yes then probably you can :)\n\n5. What are the best steps/guidelines that I should follow\n\nDepends on your current knowledge of technology. Generally speaking, a good idea is to identify what you want to do and work out a plan to get there. Although a university degree wont give you even near the necessary knowledge and experience you need to get a good job in programming, it helps getting into interviews. It will also expose you to areas that you wouldnt have the inclination to learn by yourself. However true experience comes out of practice. \n\nI suggest you try for a month to learn a programming language that has easy syntax, like java, and you decide after that if you like it or not as a career choice.\n\nIf you do decide to go ahead and start learning java you may find the following online tutorial useful\nhttp://www.thanassis.com/java/java%20training%20course/index.htm\n\ngood luck :)
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I am learning programming now after having the same question you had for a while..\n\nThe answer i got is Java..\n\nBecause it gives you flexibility to do tasks in any field u go into..\n\nThe second option is C++,VC++  ..they r a bit time taking than Java..but good indeed.\n\nThe last but not the least is C\n\nIf u wanna go professional u can learn these above things..\n\nIf u wanna learn as a hobby..\n\nBetter learn something like VB \nbecause it gives results similar to VC++ n a bit easy than the later..
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Like a lot of jobs, the pros and cons of being a computer programmer vary depending on what company you work for, the type of projects you work on, and your own personality and work habits.  The programming field tends to attract a lot of introverted analytical types (ie: nerds - this is a compliment, not an insult :) ) who enjoy the sense of creativity (there is something very cool about seeing a program come together), like the very analytical side to it and enjoy the fact that - relative to many professional jobs - you get to work on your own and don't "have to deal with people".  :)\n\nEntry pay (assuming you have a degree and decent grades) varies quite a bit depending on company, location, and type of work, but 50s to 60s is probably typical.  Many programming jobs offer good oppurtunities to move up (including into management) or move out and do consulting on your own.  The nature of the work makes it fairly easy to work from home (if your company culture allows).\n\nThe bad side?  Well, one of the biggest now is the large scale outsourcing of programming jobs overseas.  This has reduced the number of programming jobs and underminded the security on those that remain.  Hours can often be erratic.  Software projects are among the hardest to estimate and so there is often frantic 60-70 hour weeks leading up to major deadlines (referred to as a 'Death March').  \n\nLastly, technology changes so fast that you are constantly learning and taking classes to stay competitive.  Half of what you learn will probably be obsolete in less than two years.  This is kinda good, in that things don't get boring and you always have this sense of moving forward and being on the 'leading edge', but on the downside as soon as you really develop your expertise with a given tool, language or system, along comes a new version and you have to start all over like an intern that just walked in the door.
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I am not sure if you want to learn a programming language or learn about programming language (that is history).\nI suggest that you do a little read up on the history of Programming languages to understand how they evolved. \n\nYou can read a brief history at the following location:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_language\n\nAnd if you want to learn a specific high level language like Java, I suggest you search for some good books or website that has a tutorial.\n\nI hope you do not mind me saying but I think you could really work on improving your english too. It would do you a world of good. I suggest you try using Wren and Martin to work on your grammer. I have read some of the questions you have posted. You really need improvement in your English. I hope you have taken my advice in the right spirit.
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That's great that you took the initiative to learn, but what is your level of experience. Companies do not generally hire people with less than a few years experience actually coding.\n\nyour best bet is to design some programs that no one has though of before, and continue to advance. Create a website and offer the program for free. When it gets big start charging a small fee but in the mean time ask for tips..This is a proven method that has worked in the past. I'm refering to the creator of Startup Control Panel mike Lin http://mlin.net .  You could place a paypal logo right on your site to collect revenue. I have some other ideas as well, but that is for a later date. In the mean time come up with some ideas of programs that people need but dont have.\n\nGood luck, if you need help and want to shoot an idea by me visit http://www.fowlerit.com or email me shane@fowlerit.com
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Man, who told you, you can learn programming from forum?. If you know some other programming laguage yes you can learn but if you are totally newbie you won't learn programming from forum.\nsuggestion: buy C++ book, read it and try excercises. if you learn C++ you can easily learn other programming language like java, php, javascript and so on. since their syntax are same.\n\nphp-mysql-tutorial.com //have good tutorial in php\nwebdevelopernotes.com //you can learn HTML from it.\nw3schools.com //tutorial in all web developing programmes.\n\nBest Wish
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Pick up DEITEL book. Perhaps "How to Program Java" or "How to Program C++". Yes it will take longer to learn, but in the long run you will have a lot more power creating your own software.
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one of my best friends is working in a big reputable programming firm in cairo, Nasr city, i remember once that he asked me for certain people working in programming for vacant jobs, that was a while ago, i really dont know what is the situation right now.\nok, i ll tell you what to do, e-mail me with your cv and i will forward it to him. my e-mail is linked above.
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If this is one of your dreams, then chances are you will succeed if you are persistent, take the time to learn how to find the answers to questions and do what it takes to become proficient: practice!\n\nHaving a degree in a discipline which is directly or indirectly related to software development (usually an engineering degree or something specifically computer related) will definitely help get your foot in the door.\n\nThere are, however, still small companies that are out there which may still hire someone without a college degree if they show proficiency in their software development skills.\n\nStart by learning some of the fundamentals, the "Art of Computer Programming" by Donald Knuth is a decent reference to learn about algorithms.  The language you choose to develop with can narrow down the industry with which you work, but if you learn how to grasp learning the languages, then it can be easy to learn new ones if neccessary.
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I have looked into this and have friends who are programmers and the research and my friends all say C# has the best job opportunites. C# is a newly used language so I would be sure that C# is the way to go.
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I think you should just take a few classes at a community college on programming.(thats what I am doing)
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No, you have time to learn. Besides, if you knew it all now, what fun would there be for the future?
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Out of Java and .Net I suggest Java, because frankly the average programmer, even in security, wouldn't use .Net much, and plus neither of those languages are really good for it.\n\nI know C# and C++, and they have fulfilled all my hopes, I have learned VB6, some Java, Delphi, etc. basically a little of everything back in my game hacker days, but in the end what takes the longest to learn is the best to use.\n\n I  have two books 800 and 500 pages long on C++ on pdf, if you want I can send em to you (as long as you don't redestribute, it would be bad for the author, you have to buy them) and though they took me 3 monthes to finish at about 8 hours a day, working out all examples and reading up the standards at the same time, it is worth it. Also I have the book by the guy who came out with C++ back from 1997-8 publishing, basically its a 1k book that holds everything possible, but it's in no way for a beginner, plus its a physical book not on pdf, anyway I still have trouble understanding the book, (I'm russian, I read both eng and rus, but the terms are a little hazy at times and plus I'm 14 and moved to America when I was 8 so my russian reading skills are faltering heavily), the book is russian btw.\n\nHope this helped,\nIt's your choice really,\nLev\n\nFeel Free to contact me at: levlozhkin@ gmail and @ yahoo, REEFORMED@hotmail, REEFORMED at aim and msn messengers, and levlozhkin at yahoo messenger.\n\nLev
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Getting a degree in programming would be ideal, but you can be self-taught as well.  Most programming positions that you apply for will almost always request a portfolio of the past work you have done.  I believe it is this that determines whether or not you get the job.
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Your best chance is to get a job as an entry-level PC tech in a medium to large company where there is enough work to keep you busy. Smaller companies will typically want to hire fewer admins, but with more experience and education than you have described. Also, larger companies often have more budget money for paying to send their admins to various training courses every year or so. If you've taught yourself everything you know from the Internet, that is a very good sign and an appealing quality you should play up in an interview. If you're already fixing other people's machines, you probably understand already how important it is to show a courteous and helpful attitude toward the people who come to you for help. That will get you so much farther than a sombrero full of dubious certifications. As for the math, don't let that discourage you from programming in at least some capacity, even if it's just for fun.\n\nBest of luck to you on your quest
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presently java is the best. more opportunities. easy to get job. challenging programming.
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I know what you mean, there are many technologies nowaday, that migth me confusing, but don't worry, most of the times the work by it self guides you trougth one or another till you get specialized.\n\nAnd even then, there migth be some moment when you will have to turn again to learn something diferent, since all of the technology is moving so fast that what is the fashion today migth be obsolete in one more year, so get used to it. I can tell you, i have work in technology about 10 years now, and i have worked with many diferent developer tools and databases.\n\nI will give you an idea, how i see it at the moment.\n\nEverything is about web nowaday, so, the fist thing you have to focus is on tools like HTML, XML, those are like basics, that you will use in almost any technology you work with.\n\nAbout programming languajes, i believe all the MS Visual Studio . NET is used in many places, there is wide known, and that would be a tool, wich you migth find that every where they look for people with that knowledge. And you can learn it almost anywhere.\n\nPerhaps, if you have an oportunity to learn something like database administrations, that would be anothe way to go, there you migth not be so into develop, but into database administration, using tools to create databases, manipulate databases, make tunning, that kind of work is better payed, i guess. \n\nThere are another technologies that are just starting, and i believe there's a long way to go with them, wich is Businness Inteligence, DataWareHouse. This is more about the exploit the functional data of a company, making it readable, more understandable for the Businness persons. \nThis is an area, that i believe it's just been developing in many companies, that is not easy to learn and the tools are not easy to get. If you like that kind of tools, you migth want to start in some company where they can help you to learn about it. This is very rentable in the future i guess.\n\nAll of this are general ideas, but you have to do a little research, so you find something you find interesting, and there you focus your job search.\n\nRemember that in any technology, if you don't know at the beginning you can be used as a junior developer, and getting a lower salary, but think that's the way you can get experience. \n\nGood luck.