How does a person become a programmer?

[Kimmypie]

I'd second security! Maybe become a certified ethical hacker and work for a large company trying to break their shit!

My older brother was a cryptographer for the army back in the early days of the Internet when it was solely military. He loved that shit, plus it came with an awesome top secret clearance. Lol

[stang2be]

If you wanting to get into security I'd suggest having a good base of as much IT knowledge you can have from desktops, networking, servers, etc.

Lots of paths within security as well. I had 6+ years of general IT networking, server, client, etc before I got into infosec 9 years ago.

No degree here but I got into the field back when it wasn't needed and now with the experience and certs I have it hasn't slowed me down much at all.

[8mpg]

Programming sucks. I tried it many years ago and quickly found it was NOT for me.

[034V]

Ditto on storage (or security). You can learn programming at technical schools (ITT, Devry?).

I "am" a PHP developer and work with the LAMP stack. Wouldn't recommend PHP, I learned it because I am in internet marketing and wanted my applications to run properly, and to be able to bring something to market without having to worry about bringing on a programmer who might run their mouth. These days I mostly do Search Optimization, however, I still love programming which is why I learned PHP in the first place. You should probably find a language that will let you accomplish something YOU want to do, so that you have an incentive beyond gainful employment. It should be a hobby and a passion IMO.

C / Java for phone app development (iPhone and Android). C# with MonoDroid.

C# (& ASP.NET) wouldn't be a bad path. This would put you in a position to do windows based web development or windows application development. You would also be in a position to easily learn phone app development.

Once you fully learn a language, it's not too hard to learn another. I would learn C#, than learn the latest and greatest language (ie be on the ground floor of a new language like Ruby on Rails).

Anyhow, take my advice for what it is. I am not a real programmer, just someone who knows exactly enough to do what they need to do to accomplish their job.

This..

Learned it because I was told it was beyond my level of thinking..

Several contracts later, I can say I know a little. Shits always changing though.. Don't try to rely on php as your income either.

[lowthreeohz]

So you met someone that was a 'programmer' that makes good money and decided it's your life calling?

[Nash B.]

You have to learn how to program before you can become a programmer.

Programming sucks. I tried it many years ago and quickly found it was NOT for me.

You were doing it wrong, obviously.

[MattB]

Someone PM me when this thread delivers....

[Roscoe]

If you're older than 18, then it's not for you. People who are programmers love it and start their coding for fun...

[Hmbre97]

If fucking sucks. Talk about mind numbing and tedious.

This. I originally planned to get a computer science degree but after taking a few programming classes, I knew I didn't want to spend the rest of my days behind a desk, staring at a computer monitor. I got bored with it real quick and could see how I would probably burn out.

With that said, you still need to know how to program to do anything serious in the IT field.

[propellerhead]

I knew I didn't want to spend the rest of my days behind a desk, staring at a computer monitor.

That's the difference between desktop application programmers and software engineers. We spent a lot of hours in a flight simulator. We were working on software that drives hardware. Some of the guys I worked with were on tank programs and got to drive a tank in the field behind their building.

[propellerhead]

There's a lot more rewards when you do embedded software than networking or desktop apps. Every time I see a B-1B or F-35 fly, I get chills. Some of my work makes those planes do what they do. Every time I see videos from targeting pods taking out terrorists, I get chills.

[roliath]

If I were you I'd look into storage or security.

You can get certified on SANS realllly quick too. (paraphrasing)

[TeeShock]

Does anyone sell digital real estate here?

[josh9167]

Software people are usually socially inept and just weird...good luck with that shit. We have one normal dude in my group and I think he's normal because he's new (just graduated). There are a ton of good jobs that pay well if you want to put some effort into a math/science degree.

[Chas_svo]

Software people are usually socially inept and just weird...good luck with that shit. We have one normal dude in my group and I think he's normal because he's new (just graduated). There are a ton of good jobs that pay well if you want to put some effort into a math/science degree.

I bet you couldn't pick any out of a crowd. It must be a New Hampshire thing.


<----software guy