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How do I become a programmer?

How do you become a computer programmer?

  • I would like to know about this because computers and technology interests me, and i would quite like to become one. I have a problem though: I have absolutely no knowledge in the area... I have used very basic web page creating things like Macromedia Fireworks once or twice but other than that, i have nothing. I was wondering what tools you would need for the job, how you could go about creating programmes and whether it would be possible for me to do it. I am 14, so i can pick things up and work stuff out quite eaisily, but i need information on how to do it. So, how do you become a computer programmer? What do you need to do it? (eg. programs?) Is it possible for me to do it, and how? Please help! Any information is good, but detail is great.

  • Answer:

    You start by learning computer programming - the same way you learned geography or history - by reading a programming book. I recommend "Algorithms + Data Structures = Programs" by Wirth. (Amazon - from $410 at the moment.) It teaches programming logically, and in English. It's a bit much to plow through, but if you persevere, you'll understand programming. (Learning a language as a means of learning programming is the perfect way to end up writing bad, unusable and impossible-to-maintain code.) Then download any of the dot net environments from Microsoft - VB, C#, C++ - get a book on the particular language (Teach Yourself ... in 21 days, The "Bible" series [gold and black], the Using ... series) and start going through the book and learning the language. Once you've done that, write programs. Anything you can think of. and look at examples of code in that language on the web. the more you do with it, like with any language, the better you become with it.

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ive had the same dream you have to study study study aswell as get a degree and get help from pro hackers. learn the program codes and how to use everything on the computer!!!

tommytomk

You really just have to pick a programming language you want to get good in and go from there. Nobody knows them all because there are so many of them. Get experience experience experience, then get a job.

It's the hair

Get yourself a book on C++ and start working through the examples.

recentcoin2000

Microsoft has a really good series for beginners that focuses on building actual programs / web apps instead of starting off with chapters of coding theory. They even include a CD with free versions of all the software you need to create the applications and are VERY cheap, only $12-$15. "Microsoft Visual C# 2008 Express Edition: Build a Program Now!" http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Visual-2008-Express-PRO-Developer/dp/0735625425 "Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition: Build a Web Site Now!" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735622124/002-0608686-6909622

TravisO

Grab a programming language tutorial or two and start using it. Try Ruby! It's really easy to start with.

omouse

First, you just need some resources for learning a programming language, such as C or C++. You can search to find those all over the web (or you can check out books). Next, you need an SDK (software developers' kit). You can download Cygwin or Microsoft Visual Studio for that. (If you get Cygwin, then be sure to get the gcc/g++/binutils/make packages under "Devel"; also get man under "Doc".) Then you just start writing some programs in an editor and compiling them with the SDK. Start with simple things, and try more and more as you learn. Once you learn the basics of a programming language, then you need to learn about structure & discipline in order to make a complex program. That's a bit harder, but there's lots written about that too.

CityZen

If you are getting into this to make applications: -I would try C++ (harder than most, but if you can get this one down, the rest are easier) There are free compilers you can find. If you want to make games: -Java is a good way to go -You could also check out microsoft's new XNA for C# (C sharp) they give you C#Express Edition for Free and give a bunch of tutorials, it's harder than Java if you ask me, but you might want to choose this one to make 3D games. (XNA is basically libraries and classes, C# is the actual programming language) Internet/Website stuff: -Take a shot at PHP So, if you are just starting out I would go with Java, maybe buy a book, but more likely go through video/text tutorials and make a 2D game like pong.

Blacksheep

my friends a computer programmer he went to collage for 4years to become it. he absolutley loves it! hope you get your ans!!

Kerry-louise H

Try making something that interests you. Like a game, a chat room or website etc. Take up courses or get simple books which will teach you programming. Join forums, and discuss your queries. People tend to help a lot in forums. I started programming when I came to uni (a bit late) and these things helped me with my progress =) Good luck and have fun =)

Xavianna

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