Computer Programmers!

[Simpson Balls]

I fell into web development by tinkering with web sites. I saw something, and wanted to know how it was done. I viewed source code, went to B&N and read books on particular languages - but all that is just general info you gain by reading....nothing really teaches you until you have to get dirty with code for a client...deadlines fast approaching, bugs gotta get fixed, etc. etc. etc.

So, if you like Web sites and are curious about how it all works out, pick up some web books. If you are into desktop applications and want to program for Windows or Macs, then research some of the languages available for it.

Find some online forums for programming. You will get support from programming veterans that are always happy to assist.

Between book stores and the internet, you don't NEED college - however, going to college is not a mistake. I met some great people and had an unforgettable time. You will get your start in college, but it certainly isn't going to turn you into a pro. That takes years of experience after college to achieve.

Thanks for your kind words. As for your advice, it will be taken.

Daniel

[xdeus]

Raise your had if you remember 5.5" floppy drives

stand up if you still have a working 33mhz 486 processor and windows 3.11 diskette's

What do I raise if I can remember an 8" floppy? Of course my original TRS-80 Model II only had a cassette tape drive, but it did sport a whopping 16k of RAM!

[Egapal]

College is not necessary if you are just looking to have fun but its important if its going to be your career. There are many many good schools. The first thing you should know is that the degree is called computer science and its lots of math and lots of logic. The goal of school is to teach you to think like a programmer and how to learn syntax. You may be into C# to start but there are many other languages that are "Hot" depending on where you work. I work with php, pearl, python (yeah its a programming language too) and some asp.net.

[Freakie_frog]

What do I raise if I can remember an 8" floppy? Of course my original TRS-80 Model II only had a cassette tape drive, but it did sport a whopping 16k of RAM!

your cane or walker if you can manage it..

I also remember she DVD were the size of a trailer tire.. and a cell phone needed a backpack size battery to operate. You know one of those phones that cause men to be infertile and people to get cancer.

[xdeus]

I also remember she DVD were the size of a trailer tire.. and a cell phone needed a backpack size battery to operate. You know one of those phones that cause men to be infertile and people to get cancer.

Yep, but they were also great at heating up your frozen burritos. And let's not forget the video cameras that regularly gave hernias to soccer dads.

[nixer]

What do I raise if I can remember an 8" floppy? Of course my original TRS-80 Model II only had a cassette tape drive, but it did sport a whopping 16k of RAM!

you might just be raising the dead
heres some flashback for you
http://home.iae.nl/users/pb0aia/cm/modelii.html

[xdeus]

you might just be raising the dead
heres some flashback for you
http://home.iae.nl/users/pb0aia/cm/modelii.html

Ack! Flashbacks! I was wrong, though... I had the Model 1 Level 2 TRS-80. I do remember spending hours hacking away at the keyboard with two fingers programming a BASIC game, and then debugging typos by going line by line and looking for mistakes.

Of course it was only a matter of time before I became Uber L33t and purchased a Commodore 128.

[ctrlfreq]

Raise your had if you remember 5.5" floppy drives

They were 5.25

stand up if you still have a working 33mhz 486 processor and windows 3.11 diskette's

I have a Ti99/4a, a commodore 64, and my first 4.95mhz "laptop" machine that ran msdos 2 boxed up in the attic.

[ctrlfreq]

Are there any colleges that spealize in Cping?

Most colleges have a computer science department, but they tend to be well behind the curve when it comes to modern technologies.

Is there any websites that ypu know about that can help me?

There are no shortage of programming websites out there - which one you go to depends entirely on what you want to program. If you want to make windows applications or games, I'd grab a copy of Visual C# express (free) from Microsoft and start digging into .NET. If you're just wanting to make spiffy websites - a visit to Lynda.com will be more your style.

One thing to note is that there are tons of disciplines and languages when it comes to programming, and no single one will let you do everything you're wanting. Most likely you'll need to pick a starting point (ie. simple form based application) and pick up on the peripheral technologies as you need them (ie. database applications using some form of SQL, network applications using various transports, etc.)

Are there like Cping camps/schools that you can go to out there?

There are, but the vast majority outside of colleges (community and otherwise) are aimed more at continuing education for professionals than they are for rank neophytes. Having started coding over 25 years ago now, I really can't tell you how best to begin your journey, but I'd recommend as a matter of course taking an introductory class on programming so you don't spend an obscene amount of time trying to obtain basics by brute force.

[Simpson Balls]

Is there books that can help me? You no books that you get get at a Chapters, Coles etc? Not some special store.

Daniel