Post: #1

I know this is off topic for the forum, but learning how to write code (programming) is going to be an increasingly marketable skill in this uncertain economic climate. Even Mark Zuckerberg, in a great interview with Charlie Rose, said that's the one advice he would give to the young folks growing up today.

It will soon be as important in this economy as knowing how to read and write.

Keeping your tech skills up to date is going to be imperative in earning your keep in the economic madness. Some of you might remember how the internet era coupled with globalization wiped out a lot of gigs for many folks in the US, particularly older Americans. A lot of guys out there are going to have to work for a long time, maybe until retirement, though I know that's not the goal, and you don't want to come up short because of outmoded skill sets.

At any rate, stay ahead of the curve by learning how to code.

This website makes it simple: http://www.codeacademy.com.

Post: #2

Almost gonna graduate as Computer Systems engineer, hope I get to make a whole lotta cash to travel like a boss


I suggest learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Not only is fun, but it might be more digestable than C#, C++, Java, Python and the other real programming languages.

Post: #3

(01-06-2012 12:42 AM)FretDancer Wrote:  Almost gonna graduate as Computer Systems engineer, hope I get to make a whole lotta cash to travel like a boss


I suggest learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Not only is fun, but it might be more digestable than C#, C++, Java, Python and the other real programming languages.

You will man. You chose a good route. Some of the most global cats I know are in the engineering and sciences fields. Most of them, unfortunately, are nerds, so kudos to you for discovering this forum and having the best of both worlds

Post: #4

I would suggest learning one software stack eventually so you can create a full app. If you want to do a web app, you can start with ruby on rails or django. Mobile will be a bit harder to do, but still very possible. If you want to do a mobile (Android or iOS) app then start learning with the phone that you already have. iOS will be a bit harder and requires a mac, but still very doable. Android will be a bit easier in one way (and harder in another) and can be done with a mac or a PC.

If you want to get started with the python/django/ruby on rails/javascript/HTML/CSS/SQL (web app) stack, you can start with one of these books, choose the one you have the most available friends doing or the most active developer groups who meetup in your city. If neither apply check out both and see which one you like better at first glance.
http://learnpythonthehardway.org/ (for django)
http://ruby.learncodethehardway.org/ (for ruby on rails)

http://learncodethehardway.org/ has more resources

Don't be put off by "the hard way", the first chapter is called "The Hard Way is Easier"

Post: #5

just starting to get into this.... because I see this is where the market is for freelancing...

Post: #6

If you're a complete nube to web design/development, I'd suggest doing Code Avengers before Code Academy. It's much more fun and has significantly better teaching methods. I loved it.

They currently have CSS/HTML and JavaScript. He's coming out with more levels for each in a week or so.

Post: #7

If coding is going to be as necessary a skill as basic literacy in the new economy the bulk of men are screwed. Only high IQ individuals can code proficiently. The good news is - low and mediocre intelligence guys will still be able to pull ass.

Post: #8

This isn't really true.

The whole world uses electricity - is being an electrical engineer a good job? Yes. Does everyone need to know how electricity works? No.

When I was a lad, everyone said this about coding: And at the time, you needed to know html and php to build websites. Now, anyone can set up a CMS with a single click and be making their first website within ten minutes. Most people use social media etc. How many know how any of it works? Next to none.

Coding will be a valuable skill for as long as we have computer systems that operate on it, but it won't be a 'basic skill' because the economy isn't designed for it, and neither is the world.

Post: #9

Im starting out in the legal field and wish that I made the decision of going into tech when I first began thinking about my education. I definitively agree that computers / programming is where the jobs are going to be...

However, what is the benefit of gaining a basic understanding of code? I mean, to say that its going to be as important as learning to read or write.. ? I think that if its something you are interested in, its necessary to gain in-depth knowledge so you can be a competent freelancer and make some good $$..

However, outside of a serious specialized knowledge which would allow you the ability to make money or realize some project you are interested in, is there value in it?

FYI, I spent about 2 months learning Python a few years ago, and have not been able to apply that limited knowledge to anything of use.

Post: #10

Learning to code is as vital as what learning to type was 30 years ago. Which means you can hire a minimum wager (or less on odesk) to do it.

Post: #11

Everyone would benefit from knowing how to code in the same way high schoolers benefit from learning calculus: most people won't use it, now or ever. Totally depends on what you want to do. I guess if you just want to sharpen your mind and become more logical, it's certainly a good mental exercise.

Post: #12

So to get good money on odesk, elance etc. you need proficient skills? As in schooling?

Post: #13

The skills to code make you better at structured thinking and languages in general.

All programming languages have syntax but frankly more and more tools are being built to make the direct coding less common. What will always exist, is "what you want to code?" That is really the main skill that you need to learn to be viable with computers. Even if you don't want to program, you should understand algorithms enough to explain your method to a programmer and critique a programmers approach if his assumptions blow. The thinking style you pick from this directly translates into how you look at all problems because you start seeing how outcomes are just set of processes. In fact, you can build computer simulation models that work exactly like that.

I'd recommend starting with an algorithm course that includes a programming language you want to learn.

Post: #14

(01-05-2012 08:31 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  I know this is off topic for the forum, but learning how to write code (programming) is going to be an increasingly marketable skill in this uncertain economic climate. Even Mark Zuckerberg, in a great interview with Charlie Rose, said that's the one advice he would give to the young folks growing up today.

It will soon be as important in this economy as knowing how to read and write.

Keeping your tech skills up to date is going to be imperative in earning your keep in the economic madness. Some of you might remember how the internet era coupled with globalization wiped out a lot of gigs for many folks in the US, particularly older Americans. A lot of guys out there are going to have to work for a long time, maybe until retirement, though I know that's not the goal, and you don't want to come up short because of outmoded skill sets.

At any rate, stay ahead of the curve by learning how to code.

This website makes it simple: http://www.codeacademy.com.

Good looking on this site Hen. I've been chugging through since you mentioned it in a thread awhile back, and for the most part it is well written and informative. What languages do you know and have you written any apps?

Post: #15

I took a few semesters of C++ a while back, and am recently learning C/C++ again.

Depending on your field, it can be extremely valuable to know how to program.

People underestimate the value of having a programmer who can completely understand the needs of the client and solve their problems. A person like this is invaluable. Not to mention in can help build a freelancing lifestyle.

Post: #16

I am all for self improvement, learning employable skills and other foreign languages. But learning computer science or becoming a webmaster in today's world isn't going to make you rich. Maybe jobs will be scarce. Remember you are competing against programmers from china or India who will program code for a rate that makes a minimum wage McDonald's worker look like they are raking in the cash.

If you are going to learn to program and use it to develop your own startup website or pages then go for it. But you may also use your knowledge in it if you ever wanted to go on a larger scale and hire other programmers, you won't get taken for a ride. You'd know exactly how long a project should take.

Post: #17

My friend who is in accounting raves about Udacity's CS 101 course. He knew close to nothing about programming and found it incredibly helpful with his coding Excel VBA even though the course uses Python.

http://www.udacity.com

Post: #18

Coding is very important and you should learn it in some capacity immediately. I've been just getting started with some C++, Python, and HTML. However, as someone mentioned earlier, there are programmers from Asia and India who are the antithesis of creative-minded. They are math-minded computer replacements, with seemingly no soul and a purely logical brain who can code much better than you. The ideal career route is to be a Software Engineer or Systems Analyst - someone who works between the aforementioned coders and executives or planners in the business world, to explain, map, and plan solutions that work for both sides. You'll definitely be doing some coding yourself - don't doubt that - but you'll likely get to travel more, be around people more, and enjoy a slightly less stressful workload. It's not an easy job, per se, but one that would better fit the lifestyle of many men - especially the ones on this forum.

Post: #19

(11-23-2012 05:55 PM)IQVX Wrote:  Coding is very important and you should learn it in some capacity immediately. I've been just getting started with some C++, Python, and HTML. However, as someone mentioned earlier, there are programmers from Asia and India who are the antithesis of creative-minded. They are math-minded computer replacements, with seemingly no soul and a purely logical brain who can code much better than you. The ideal career route is to be a Software Engineer or Systems Analyst - someone who works between the aforementioned coders and executives or planners in the business world, to explain, map, and plan solutions that work for both sides. You'll definitely be doing some coding yourself - don't doubt that - but you'll likely get to travel more, be around people more, and enjoy a slightly less stressful workload. It's not an easy job, per se, but one that would better fit the lifestyle of many men - especially the ones on this forum.

Very interesting. Could you explain some more on the courses and skills needed to get into this?