Where to start?

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Hi,

I'm a complete novice in the world of IT but have always been fascinated with programming. (Don't ask me why!) Could you please give advice on the exams that I need to take to be qualified to do the job competently and the best order in wich these should be done - I don't want to try to run before I can walk. I need to start from the very bottom and work my way up.

Your help really is appreciated.

Thanks

Alex

 

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There doesn't seem to be any obvious certs for programming in general.

Microsoft has quite a number of certs for their particular set of languages and APIs. And somewhat similar schemes are available for Oracle/Java.

It rather depends on what sort of programming you are considering, as it covers a *huge* field!

You can teach yourself some languages (up to a point) fairly cheaply - most languages are available in free editions for either Windows or Linux, so all you would need are some books.

Harry.

 

Hi Alex,

What programming have you tried?

Keimos

 

Hi Keimos,

I haven't tried any unfortunately. Where would you recommend I start?

Al

 

What is it about programming that fascinates you?

Once we learn what it is that interests you we can try and offer better suggestions.

 

Hello

Just wondering what you mean by this -" fascinated with programming"

If you never tried programming before how do you know that your fascinated by it?

I started with pascal, visual Basic, C+ then went onto Visual C.
I also had to learn (much to my annoance Modula 2) Big pile of crap. Why because our teacher told us it is used widely in business and also because he had his name on the book

I surpose you could always start with the easy ones just to see if Programming is for - have you tried writing a macro in Excel?

Most people go into programming because they are told it's big money and there are lots of jobs out there. Or so the Cold calling Sales man would have us believe. It can be quite a lonely job, staring at a screen all day. Unlike PC support where you actually go out and meet the punters

 

Hi Alex,

UCHEEKYMONKEY has a very good point

If you do want to try, start with Visual Basic 6 or Pascal and go out and buy a beginners book.

This is the cheapest and most effective way of finding out if it suits you.

My very first thoughts like some others, was that if you have not tried any programming yet, you are not interested enough, so forget it.

Saying that you may find that programming is the missing link in your life and a new world may be opened up to you.

Keimos

 

i agree here... go for VB and pure VB 6 for that matter not VB.net. Look for a visual basic for dummies book i used that a while ago.. see if you like what you doing before moving into more in depth stuff

 

The only caution I would sound is that sometimes people who start with VB and friends pick up bad habits, which are hard to break when they move on.

VB isn't as bad as it used to be, but it still allows sloppy programming. This is why so many places teach things like Pascal and Modula2. It isn't that they are popular, but they *do* enforce careful writing.

Harry.

 

Ok all thanks for the feedback appreciated. I'm going to go off to waterstone and purchase one of the recommended books and see how I get on.

Alex