Questions for the programmers out there

[Mortar]

So in about 90 days or so my current career will officially be over and done with. Now as part of the what lays ahead of me I get the chance to avail myself of the opportunity for some free vocational education and retraining. As I have been enjoying working with the XML of the FG modules I have been considering taking it one step further and looking into some training in programming. Now it is very unlikely that I will be fit to work outside my home after completing this training, so its more about trying to keep my mind active vice trying to get employment out of it - though all three lead to a university certificate.

I am looking at three different options - two are vary similar the big difference is on how the are offered. I am not 100% sure if I will physically be fit attend a classroom setting with a whole bunch of people, so personally I am leaning towards the entirely web based learning.

a. Focuses on web development, database structure/algorithms, networks, as well as systems analysis/design - heavily focused on Java

b. Covers some introductory Java, data structures/algorithms, but you have the option of concentrating more into C++, game/app development both for mobile and internet

c. Similar to b, but with less emphasis on mobile development - this one is also entirely

Now I would still need to sell this to those people that hold the money for this and they are notorious for being stingy.

So which would be the most useful at keeping my brain going?

[Nylanfs]

Well if it helps tip the scales PCGen is all written in Java. :)

[damned]

Well if it helps tip the scales PCGen is all written in Java. :)

Ahemm... Im not a programmer so I should just stay out of this but....
As flexible as java is - it is so buggy and so full of security risks and being constantly updated it must be a programmers nightmare...
Id choose some other language...

[chanceboon]

As a Systems Admin in healthcare, I can tell you that Java is the bane of my 9 to 5 existence...constant updating but you can't update it because certain applications will only work with certain versions...you end up with an environment that carries 5 different versions of java just to meet every program's needs...have I mentioned that I hate java...

Database structure is boring as all get out, but a skill that is worth its weight in gold. DB Admins make great money and there is never a shortage of work, but working in the columns and rows of databases all day long could drive you crazy as well...

I guess my advice would be to try a little of everything and find the one that you like and run with it. I started school as a DB Programmer and ended up a networking and systems admin, just because I love the field.

[LordEntrails]

Another thing to think about with Java, even though it is still very prominent (Google shows predictions that it is still very strong etc), I believe it is dying and within some years will no longer be so prominent. An indication of this is how Chrome no longer allows Java plug-ins. Google feels confident enough that Java can and should be replaced. That's not a trivial statement from a company with the technology prominence of Google.

[sciencephile]

I was a computer programmer, database administrator, and even a touch of a network administrator throughout my career. My latest work has been as a project manager and as a deputy chief information officer. So I have seen and worked in all aspects of IT, though I have focused primarily on programming. So, hopefully, you will see this as genuine advice from someone experienced in programming...


Generally, it doesn't really matter what the language is. Programming is not about the language it is about learning how to program. When is it best to do conditional branching, logic, data flow, etc. Any good programmer can learn using one language and then adapt their skills to a completely new language. Computer languages are just tools, not skills. The skill is knowing programming methodology. Many programmers know multiple languages and they all work very similar in many ways. The difference is in the specific syntax. All three options will keep your mind occupied and present their own challenges. They all will be relevant to what is being used in industry. Therefore, none of the options could be considered a bad idea.

So my advice is that it really depends on your interests. If you have the means, perhaps you can contact the university to ask them advice on the program. Get a specific course list with details on each class and look them over. Whichever sounds most interesting to you is the one to take. If all else fails, trust your gut feelings about which would make you happier. Also, if you have a restriction, the choice may be easy in that case - whichever track allows you to most closely follow that restriction (such as doing the program entirely via web learning).

[damned]

Lots of good advice in the above.
Programming is a skill and it is easily adaptable to other languages (I wish Id learnt *some* programming!).

[Mortar]

Thanks for the info everybody.

damned -- remember Nylanfs just wants more codemonkeys :D

[Nylanfs]

Thanks for the info everybody.

damned -- remember Nylanfs just wants more codemonkeys :D

Dammit, my nefarious plan has been uncovered!

[Mortar]

Can I be one without knowing code :confused:

[LordEntrails]

Can I be one without knowing code :confused:
I'm sure you could be a monkey...

[Valarian]

Web Development can be useful for breaking in to IT especially if you look at the area I'm working in, Service Management and Service oriented architecture. Skills in demand: javascript, css, html, xml, rest web services, angular js, jquery.

[Nylanfs]

Making the source books doesn't require much code knowledge. And most of it is the project developed code.

Andrew has some videos on tutorial should anyone be interested.
Http://youtu.be/LhGkqdXNtOw?list=PLLa5A1qjBOPekqEC_R9BAZW-8q5IT-klM

[Minty23185Fresh]

Oddly enough I found myself in almost the same boat. I was forced to retire early about a year ago. The company I worked for closed down. I am probably still employable, but I have doubts as I jump into 60-hood this year. I know 5 or 6 programming languages, have had exposure to 2 or 3 others, and have within the last year started dabbling in HTML, Java & JavaScript, and Lua. SciencePhile is spot on. One language exposes you to the methodology and is the gateway to every other. It is simply syntax after that. Personally, if I were to pick a language to start with it would probably be C#. It has everything. Incredible flexibility and power, plus all of the extensions to go in any direction you wish. Some of the obfuscation of older languages, that have had functionality kluged on to them, has been remedied. But C# is a programmers' language, not a hobby language, maybe not even an introduction to programming language.

After reading your opening of this thread, Mortar, I am unsure as to where you really want to go with this. Remployment with a career change then go with a hard core curricula (again C#). Learn a language to see where it goes? Then Java, JavaScript, or Lua. They're far from complicated, hell, I read the online Lua manual in a day, and I believe I have a pretty good grasp of the language. All I need is the project to cement it. You can read manuals, guides and textbooks until you are blue, but you won't know it until you code a project.

Good luck.

[Varsuuk]

... SciencePhile is spot on. One language exposes you to the methodology and is the gateway to every other. It is simply syntax after that. Personally, if I were to pick a language to start with it would probably be C#. It has everything. Incredible flexibility and power, plus all of the extensions to go in any direction you wish. Some of the obfuscation of older languages, that have had functionality kluged on to them, has been remedied. But C# is a programmers' language, not a hobby language, maybe not even an introduction to programming language.
...You can read manuals, guides and textbooks until you are blue, but you won't know it until you code a project.

Good luck.

All great quotes. Currently I am alternating n commutes and standby time reading a Swift 2.2 manual, a Stanford iTunes Ios9 swift class and another for Java/XML/XSLT/etc.

Planned on mucking with the old parse tool to relearn Java (wish had last public version's source) togas why chose the xml related course.

I'm a C++ dev but when I worked for Goldman in 2001, I ended up working on a Java EJB app over 2 years with nearly 0 experience, 2 manuals and Javadocs... The c++ and earlier language learning gave me enough to go on and get it done.

But it goes away if you don't use it (well, I have had memory issues my whole life) but do a project or two and it always comes back to you.

[Nylanfs]

<cough>PCGen needs volunteer's</cough>