How did you get to where you are?

In my web development course in college, we did very little Android development. However when we needed to get a work placement the fact that I did Android development was a large plus for a company that was looking into expanding into that market.

After doing that job, I was still only half-way through the 6 months required for the placement. I was transferred to another project in which I am currently doing an app version of and was hired for the summer until my lectures start again.

In regards to complexity, I will say from experience that repetition is a big part in knowing how to solve a problem. I learnt most of my code by learning it on a need to know basis, if i think my app will need this method or way of doing things then I attempt to get it working through trial and error. After I get it working, I spend a while going over the code trying to understand how exactly it is done, to make absolutely sure.

Sorry if its a ramble but it's how I do things.

 

Pretty much every programmer started out as a hobbiest, but eventually, it grows into more than that--a passion. Those who look toward development as a carreer, without first aquiring the passion for it will inevitibly not be as good as more passionate programmers. With that said, it's not something you can become really good at in a few years. It's something that takes years of practice. On top of that, it takes certain type of thinker to become a decent programmer. People who like mathematics and are easily able to think outside the box are usually the best candidates.

 

I'd agree with that. Having started programming before many of you guys were born I was part of the micro revolution. This was the days when you built a computer from component parts, slaving over a soldering iron for days on end. I have a handy chip in my front teeth from using them as wire strippers (bad idea).

There was hardly any software about so little choice but to write my own; assemblers and high-level languages, word processors, even a small operating system, all bootstrapping from one level to the next. Eventually I was good enough to get paid to do it as a job, but it doesn't happen immediately. The actor Eddie Cantor once said "it takes 20 years to become an overnight success". Me - I'm still trying after about twice that time.

The only other thing I'd say is: Programming should be fun. If it isn't you're in the wrong job. Android is huge fun - a cheap powerful computer you can carry about with you, owned by millions and with an open software development environment. Thank you Google, you gave me a new lease of life.

 

While you guys have given excellent answers, and I'm sure Smug Mug would thank you for them, I think what I understand from his question is, what should be the next step? Or at the very least, that would be my question.

 

The answer to your frst question is mostly subjective. While some programmers are happy staying in their comfort zone, there are also those who prefer to know a little of everything. I personally believe in the mantra "A man of all trades is a master of none." This is not to say you shouldnt try to learn new things, but don't just half ass learning something for the sake of having some sort of knowledge in it. FInd out where your area of exprertiese lies and try to focus mostly on that area, while only branching out on occasion. Also, there are many fundamentals that EVERY programmer should know, such as memory managment, data structures, basic algorithms, and of course, how computers work on a hardware level, as well as how operating systems work on a low level.

In the CS field, they don't care what your degree is in (and sometimes don't even care if you even have one), as long as you have the experience and know how. I know a lot of people who work as programmers and have EE or even ME degrees.

In fact, EE is very handy in programming as it helps you learn some of the hardware workings that I mentioned above.

 

1 You can learn a lot from books; mostly how to do things the same way as everyone else (why else would the book be written?). This may help if you're hoping to join a code factory with 50 other programmers, though they always ask for real experience, usually of the kind you can't get at home - a classic Catch-22. Having a deep understanding of and a passion for what you do is essential; it does impress people. IMHO you don't get this from books alone, but from actually doing stuff.

2 You need a portfolio. You can half finish ten projects or you can make one really fly. Which will do more to get you noticed? Impossible to say; it depends on the circumstances at the time. Life doesn't come with guarantees.

3 Opportunities come knocking at the strangest times, and they only knock once. You need to be ready to seize the moment. It's called Serendipity - the ability to find something you weren't looking for.

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These are just my opinions. If you don't like them - I have others.

 

I'm definitely a total rookie myself, so its good to hear from people who have been doing this longer and have a deeper understanding of everything. For me, it started with just opening a book and taking a stab at it. After that, I pretty much fell in love, but I'm far from being able to pay the rent with anything that I've made yet.

I'd definitely agree with Tramontana's comment that you need a portfolio of finished products. Its so easy for me to half finish a bunch of different things and then get bored and move on to something else. But that last 10% of really putting the polish on and working out all of the kinks is often where you are forced to work outside of your comfort zone and really learn a lot.

 

Hi guys.. I'm trying to become a programmer... I'm only 17 and I'm currently a senior in high school... i. Pretty much have a guaranteed spot in almost any college right now... what do you guys suggest I do to get started? I became a rom developer a few months ago and I'm beginning to learn Java and I'm working on creating my first app... how hard was it for you all to pick up your first language? And what do you guys think should be my next course of action? I really Want to become a programmer and I definately have a passion for it... I've stared at so much code this summer that its not even funny

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If you are positive that programming is what you want to do for the rest of your life, then you should probably pick up Computer Science or a related major at whatever university you choose. Although a degree isn't necessarily required to get a job in this field, the unfortunate reality is that that piece of paper does make it much easier to do so, whatever that piece of paper might say.

It also should be mentioned that experience is key in this field. You will need to devote a significant amount of time outside of classes working on your own personal projects to develop a portfolio. Our company turns down tons of employees every week because they think that just because they were going to school, they didn't need to do anything on the side. Passion and experience are key in this field. without both of those, you won't make it very far.

EDIT: Also, having your own blog is a good idea also. While a solid portfolio will show that you have experience, a blog or some other form of publication will show that you have passion. This isn't really required, but it does help.

 

By the way, I moved this to Dev 101 and will make a reference to it in a sticky.

 

Thx for the input... but any free alternatives for the book? I'm just a broke teen atm... :-\

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If there are any free alternatives, please let us know. I'm considering going into the navy for nuclear power (96th percentile on my asvab during high school), but I really do find so much intrigue with the cs field, specifically coding related areas such as the android os, since it's used daily by so many people.

 

Lately, schools have been doing a lot of pushing people trying get students to go into CS, saying things like "the pay is excellent" or "there is a surplus of jobs." Although this worked, it has worked a little too well as there are many people going into CS now and thus the competition is fierce. HOWEVER, most people in CS don't have a passion for it, and are simply in it for the money. Because of this if you are a good coder and have the experience and passion to go along with it (neither of which your average CS student will have) you wil have no problem getting a job in the feild, regardless of what your degree is in.

Summary: For the average person, yes, the market is convoluted, but for a true computer scientist, no, there is actually hardly any competition out there.

 

SmugMug, thank you for sharing with us how you got started with Java. I would assume just to not be lazy and read the entire book you used, but learning Java with the purpose and intent of learning to develop mobile apps and work with Android, is there anything in the book you would recommend to not look at? For example, will I find any immediate need to learn Java EE; should I just stick to the Java Core? Or is it something I will find makes a difference to know as I get into Android?


And here's my story. Not yet a military man, I am considering joining the Navy for their Nuclear programs (called me up after I scored in the 96th percentile of the ASVAB as a high school junior). Just married this past week, and have the future to think about. I have a few options, including the Navy, automotive sales and training, and if I can make it happen, a transition into Android and app development. Through grade school, I have learned some html and c++, but being grade school classes, they were only the basics. Through the information I have found, Java is the metaphorical gateway drug to get into Android, and now I'm just at the point where I'm looking for the best way to start learning. Right now, my ideal plan is this: Air Force reserves (I currently work in a franchise for a former LTC from the AFR in Phoenix) while earning money through Android and app development while building up to a point where a career and/or more education after the reserves is a reality that can be accomplished.

 

While android primarily uses Java, yes, it really only uses the syntax, with a small subset of utility libraries. Most of the core java development kit (JDK) is uselss in android. With that said, from a conceptional point of view, programming is programming, regardless of what language you use. The concepts transcend any linguistic bounds. My advice is that if you already have programming experience, you need to become familiar with the Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) paradigm. Once you are comfortable with that, just pick up a book and focus on learning the java syntax. The JDK or EEDK are practically useless in Android development. The small subset of class that will be of use are also referenced in the Android SDK documentation, and aren't something that would be covered in a Java book (except threading... that is something from the JDK that you should take in).

 

Yes, the only way to truly become a proficient coder is to just do it... Humans learn by repetition... Pushing your limits is also a great way to proceed quicker.