Is it possible to get into programming after a 10 year hiatus?

alexthecheese · 7 May 2011 at 12:06

And from not doing it professionally, but studying it?

Looking for a career change at some point, but not sure where to go. Always enjoyed doing it, but for various reasons didn't pursue it after uni.

Thing is, I never got into any proper language like C++ or whatever. Would I be able to get back into it, you think? Honest responses welcome.

ZombieFan · 7 May 2011 at 13:26

I suggest just trying it in youir spare time and see how you get on.

Download Visual Studio 2010 Express (which is free) and try to build something in c# like a simple windows calculator.

You'll soon discover if you have a feel for it and want to progress with it.

AHarvey · 7 May 2011 at 21:14

There was a similar thread in here a while a go, but can't remember the name.

Just search for my name in this section as I posted in it, stopped though because there was a retard posting in there just being a knob and I would have ended up banned

EDIT :

Here you go:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18266167&highlight=username_aharvey

UncleRuckus · 7 May 2011 at 23:02

Listen mate, if a foolish person such as myself can do it, most people can

Jase · 8 May 2011 at 17:02

I was just about to post a similar thread. I have no idea what language I should be looking at but had C++ in mind simply because I dabbled with it many years ago. Whats the main difference between Visual C# and C++ ??

I'll download the express version to have a play with, but I'm a little confused when it comes to buying the software. Is Visual Studio 2010 Professional where you head after the express version or is that something completely different as I don't see any reference to the languages..

Cheers

topdog@OC · 9 May 2011 at 01:17

C# is more like java than it is like C, both in terms of approach/appearance of the code as a developer, and with how it does self-managing object cleanup and garbage collection for memory handling.

A bit more geared towards object orientated design than C++ is (where you can do OO, but it's not as integral, and it lets you slip out to more traditional/procedural C when you feel like it, foregoing OO benefits). Like java, C# is a bit more insistent on the approach you take in developing the code.

It doesn't take long to adopt though, as there are some similarities in the appearance and readability of them all.

C++ sticks to its roots more so than the other languages that got sucked into the .Net framework and CLR, including still having access to 'unmanaged' memory where you have to alloc and free it yourself appropriately, or else end up with leaks / access violations. Pointers galore still.

Depending on the type of programs you want to try your hand at, may influence which language you will be most productive in. For Windows desktop apps, command line apps, then C# is likely your best bet for higher productivity. If you want unadulterated access to things like DirectX, then you really still need to work within C++ as the alternatives are far less mature.

In terms of the difference between editions, go with Express until you outgrow it. It will take something special like needing to develop multi-processor apps using specific technologies like OpenMP, or high-performance debugging and profiling, or needing plugins directly in the IDE for supporting test-driven development before you'd really need to switch to Pro.

Since there's no Standard edition anymore, the leap from Express to Pro is a large price to swallow if you're not going to need its features (right now). Making apps for the workplace or to sell using Express is permitted just fine, you're not required to upgrade to a fee-paid license for that. You shouldn't run into any incompatibility issues if you create projects in Express and later need to migrate them to Pro either.

NathanE · 9 May 2011 at 08:51

UncleRuckus said:
Listen mate, if a foolish person such as myself can do it, most people can

That rather comes across as "I'm a cowboy coder, not a professional". Is that correct?

AHarvey · 9 May 2011 at 11:52

It came more across as "If someone like me can learn, anyone can!"

I don't think it says anything regarding the quality of the finished product

robotSocks · 9 May 2011 at 12:34

NathanE said:
That rather comes across as "I'm a cowboy coder, not a professional". Is that correct?

not every coder is a "professional" - many are hobbyists, like the OP :rolleyes:

ZombieFan · 9 May 2011 at 12:54

In regards to the various versions of Visual Studio - There is no difference between the actual languages you use in the different versions. C# is always the full version of C#, C++ is the full version etc.

The only difference between the Express and Professional is the extra tools you get given in the IDE. These are mostly going to be things you don't care about at this stage, so just go with the Express version for now.

NathanE · 9 May 2011 at 13:27

robotCocks said:
not every coder is a "professional" - many are hobbyists, like the OP

Unless I've completely misunderstood the OP. He said he is eyeing programming as a possible career move in the future.

Keep in mind that there's already 10 cowboys to every 1 professional on the software developer job market, today. Therefore he will want to aim to become a professional - which typically takes 10 years of hard graft and then continuous learning and re-learning of new practices. So if the OP is planning to add to that head count he should think about it very very carefully as he could end up out of work.