Question , Sujestions

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:03 pm

I have come to respect many of the ppl in the MQ community. So this is why I have brought my dilemma to you. I currently am working as a Network Tech. I have come to the realization that this is not where my passion lies. I truly thing it lies in programming.

Ever since I wrote my first macro I have been hooked. I don’t know how many times my wife has said “Are you ever going to play that game or just write dam macros for it". When I think about it I would prefer to write macros.

This brings me to my question. Would anyone have any suggestions on where to start my newly found passion? I would like to change my job but I understand that will be many months if not years away. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free. I would really like to hear from ppl that are doing that right now as a job.

Thanks,
Shocks

Shocks · Post by **Shocks** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:09 pm

This was my post above. Im not sure why I was not logged in.

Scrime · Post by **Scrime** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:17 pm

I guess where to start really depends on what type of learner you are. If you need to be taught, go to college. If you are able to self teach, start buying books.

There are a multitude of languages out there, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. I would pick one and learn it until you are comfortable with it. Then maybe try learning a second language. You will find that many of the concepts in computer programming are shared between the languages, just implemented in different ways.

I've been programming since I was old enough to use a computer. I started with BASIC on the Coleco Adam, switched to C64 BASIC and got my first taste of Asm on the 6502 processor. Once I was in high school I started learning Pascal and x86 Asm on the PC. Before long I discovered C and C++, which have been my bread and butter ever since. Along the way I've also picked up visual basic (censor: i'm an idiot; please ignore me), Perl, Delphi, Javascript, PHP and dabbled in a handful of other scripting languages (MQ's included).

To me, the most important aspect of being a good programmer is doing it because you love to code. True coding is not for the layman, but something that only someone who loves what they do can truely excell at. If you really want to be a programmer, then there is nothing stopping you.

Jaerin · Post by **Jaerin** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 1:27 pm

I disagree that it's not for a layman. I know of many women who were secretaries, assistants, ect that went into programming. The reason they did it was for the money. They were already organized and had logical thought processes they just needed the tools.

Now not all of them "love" programming. As with any job it just a job. They just have the right mindset for it. A lot of them ended up doing COBOL mainframe work.

As for a new person coming into it I would highly recommend that you not get sucked into the M$ way of doing things and learn C# or VB first. Start with a language like C or C++. Those will be much more useful in giving you the concepts of programming.

The thing about programming is like 90% of concepts can be ported from one language to another. Once you learn those well you can pretty much program in any language. It's just a matter of learning how each language performs those basic concepts.

Jaerin

Shocks · Post by **Shocks** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 1:29 pm

That sounds good. I was never aware that I enjoyed coding. I always considered myself a hardware man. I hope I'm on the right path with this but MQ opened my eyes to allot of things one is coding or is it better said as scripting.

I guess the only way Ill know if I love it is to do it. I think Ill start with c c++. I currently have a copy of visual c++ 6.0. My wife has a 2 year degree in programming I followed her along most of the way. No Im not a school type. Never went for networking mcse ECT. I learn by looking at what ppl have done before me. I think that is the best way I learn.

I thank you for taking the time to answer me. Are there any books you would not be with out as far as programming. Or any other tools you would consider a MUST.

Thanks,
Shocks

Scrime · Post by **Scrime** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 1:42 pm

*shrug* I guess its a matter of viewpoint. It doesn't take a ton of skill to be considered a programmer any more. With the influx of RAD languages, anyone can point and click their way into the "programming" field.

If you are just looking for a career change and want to jump into "programming" grab a VB or Delphi book and "code" away.

Shocks · Post by **Shocks** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 2:02 pm

No I already have a job that pays well that I don't really enjoy. What I'm looking to do is become a good programmer and in the process learn if it is something that I wish to do for a living. I was already pretty set on learning c c++. I’m just tired of doing this networking shit day in and day out it gets to the point where the fun is gone now its just upgrade upgrade upgrade. Been there done that more times than I want to count.

Shocks

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 7:05 am

I’m just tired of doing this networking shit day in and day out it gets to the point where the fun is gone now its just upgrade upgrade upgrade

I feel your pain there shocks. Amen.

MOTD