Learning Programming

[AndyCr15]

I'd like to know what options I have in starting a new career, something more tech related.

I have quite a logical mind, but my only programming experience is when I was a teenager messing about with Basic and AMOS and things like that.

What options might I have given a 3 to 5 year time frame in getting myself competent enough to land a half decent job in the programming/tech sector and what would be the best route to take?

Or... am I being silly, it's too late to teach a slightly old dog new tricks?

 

[Zefan]

What do you do currently, and why the specific interest in programming over other areas? It's worth noting that programming is only part of being a software developer.

 

[AndyCr15]

I'm currently in retail management, so I know it's a complete change and that's kinda why part of my question is is it even possible at this point.

Options for changing career could be coming up, I used to enjoy programming when I was young, so wondered given I have a decent time scale to work in, what my options are I guess?

Happy to listen to any advice on what's best really.

 

[radderfire]

The first thing to do is to start reading job adverts, so you can see what the in demand skills are.

Then you need to think about whether you will actually enjoy a coding role. This means:

Do you love the learning and problem solving that coding entails?

Do you enjoy learning new things?

Can you handle the fact that tech is always moving forward and you will have to continually learn new stuff most of the time?

Do you have a certain level of raw ability so that programming can be enjoyable instead of a difficult headache?

Can you handle the fact that if working for someone else, you will always be asked to do complicated things by business people without them fully understanding the difficulties, and that some of these people will always be paid more than you?

Will you enjoy sitting at a computer all day?

Can you afford to take the time to train yourself until you are good enough to get a meaningful salary?

I would say if you have the right attributes, it's never too late to start, as long as you have the enthusiasm. These learn how to code resources will help you. I would say start reading those job adverts early and develop a focus. Become very good at an in demand skill and your job prospects are best. Start some projects to demonstrate skill level and get involved with GitHub.

 

[AndyCr15]

Some good points, I think most of them are yes.

I'm initially taking a look at working towards making an Android app. I'm starting off using Codecadamy to learn Java.

 

[Cromulent]

Some good points, I think most of them are yes.

I'm initially taking a look at working towards making an Android app. I'm starting off using Codecadamy to learn Java.

There is a great Java book called Core Java for the Impatient that is concise and teaches you everything you need to know about the language in a short space of time which I am using at the moment. It might be a bit difficult for a new programmer but if you bear with it the book is fantastic.

Make sure you get the latest edition though for Java 8 which has loads of new features compared to Java 6 and Java 7.

 

[AndyCr15]

Thanks, have added it to my Wishlist. Maybe if I get through the tutorials on Codecadamy then I'll move into the book.

 

[radderfire]

Android and iOS app development are definitely in demand skills at the moment.

 

[CREATIVE!11]

In on this thread...

I've been debating a career change out of science and into programming/tech (Originally what I wanted to do back in the day but the field was more limited and tutorials etc didn't exist as they do today).

Debated learning 3d art or programming.

I'll try contribute something to this thread for now anyway. Best places i've found (so far) for lessons video based, Lynda.com, Udemy / digital tutors.

Oh and I wouldn't think it's "too late". When I was toying with the idea of 3d animation I found a huge thread of loads of guys saying they changed careers at 30/40, quite a few self taught then went into the industry. So I guess if you really want to learn something and apply yourself you can definitely do it with all resources available today.

Probably never been a better time looking at the amount of stuff which is a click away.

 

[AndyCr15]

Thanks, my brother is in the coding world and the first place he said was Udemy. I'm thinking of doing this one then. 60 hours of content will certainly keep me going!

I also like it's a one of payment as opposed to Lynda which looks to be in the region of £20 a month.

 

[Bobie8]

Thanks, my brother is in the coding world and the first place he said was Udemy. I'm thinking of doing this one then. 60 hours of content will certainly keep me going!

I also like it's a one of payment as opposed to Lynda which looks to be in the region of £20 a month.

I've not done any of that guys courses but I know his Python course is fairly well regarded. Have a look through some of the programming subreddits
https://www.reddit.com/r/learnjava/
https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/
They contain a lot of good info.

 

[memyselfandi]

Thing with Udemy seems to be to keep an eye on it for a while rather than paying a large amount for a course .... they seem to have offers on courses nearly all the time so you can often pick up things with a big discount which as you get life time access to the course means you can pick them up cheap and do them later. I picked up several in their new year sale for £10, with good reviews, in some subjects I was interested in with substantial amounts off their normal list price.

Personally I'm trying to get my work to pay for access to the Linux Academy courses at the moment as they fit with what I'm supposed to do this year and doing the odd course off of FutureLearn in other subjects I'm interested in.

 

[AndyCr15]

Right now they all look to be £15, reduced from hundreds (well, £195 for that one). I thought it might be one of those DFS things where they're always 'on sale'?

Maybe I should get the Android one while it's cheap too?

 

[dowie]

there is so much free material out there that you really don't need to pay money to learn how to program

coursera, udacity, edx all offer free content

universities like MIT, Stanford and CMU have plenty of course material - video lectures, notes, problem sheets, solutions available freely online

 

[Sparky__H]

Ex retail management here.

I've moved industry a few times. My route to where I am now is:

Degree --> Programming --> Specialist Network Security Services.

The trick is to find someone who thinks your worth investing in. The prove to them that you were.

Once you have the certificates/reputation no one cares.

It's a Sunday night an I'm about to sit down a do some reading, Get used to that. you'll be doing lot of that if you want to get out of the retail meat grinder.

Tech can be hard, boring and frustrating but I'm not a dancing monkey to an incompetent organ grinder any more.

 

[CREATIVE!11]

Right now they all look to be £15, reduced from hundreds (well, £195 for that one). I thought it might be one of those DFS things where they're always 'on sale'?

Maybe I should get the Android one while it's cheap too?

I do know this, some of courses have a message board where you can post your questions and the course advisor will answer.

Not sure it's for all of them, but I know one of 3d ones does he frequents the board and replies.

 

[dacads]

Tech is hard, boring and frustrating but I'm not a dancing monkey to an incompetent organ grinder any more.

Doesn't sound like you're in the right industry then

 

[Sparky__H]

Doesn't sound like you're in the right industry then

Oops yeah "Can Be"

Just trying to dispel the wild notion that tech is an easy cake walk filled with happy glitter sunshine.

And I'm very happy where I am. I love learning new things.

 

[Freefaller]

i've dabbled in a little programming (did some at uni as part of my engineering degree many moons ago, but programming and IDEs have evolved hugely since then).

One of the tips I was given was, to find something you want to design/code (within reason). i.e. an interface between an ECU and a raspberry pi for example, or simple WPF app (I did a unit converter app (e.g. degrees to farenheit etc...)), or do follow tutorials for things that interest you. I did one where I programmed an text based RPG - you can then add to the map, add new weapons/potions and play with it.

You do have to give it a lot of attention - once you "get" OOP it starts to click into place - I started to dabble in it again, but I just don't have time to do that, and a career and a family man, and try and keep fit and so on. So for me I had to give up - there are many many careers out there for devs.

I wish I had continued with it when I first started as it does engage with my creative side - but I got distracted by other things and it's not something you can pick up incidentally (IMO).

Good luck with it!

 

[AndyCr15]

I understand choosing a goal that interests you. Right now I have a very simple Android app in mind.

I used to write in Basic and AMOS on my Amiga when I was a teenager. I wish I'd kept it up, but I got put of by Pascal in A Level Computer Studies and pretty much completely stopped.

So far Java doesn't seem that far from Basic, but I've only done the very 'basics' so far though.