How does a person become a programmer?

[KCHAR]

It folks- what path would you suggest for a person with zero experience to become a programmer? What type of programming would you say is in greatest demand? I continue to see lots of opportunities for programmers and after talking to a programmer today briefly it seems very interesting.

[GE]

Zero programming experience and you've randomly decided to become a programmer? Interesting.

[Binky]

Depends, what do you want to do?

What to write applications? Databases?

Mobile apps are huge now, but corporations run on databases and intranet webapps.

Theres a ton of other options as well that are specific to certain industries. Alld epends on what you want to do.

[Skidmark]

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

[YALE]

With no experience, you could get a degree in computer science.

[MustangPoser]

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.

[BradM]

Storage units. Buy them cheap and find luxurious items to sell.

[Mike]

Open a boat storage

[BradM]

Open a boat storage

Open a boat dealership.

[KCHAR]

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

Do you mind expanding on that?

[Chas_svo]

You'll need a 4 yr degree for most jobs. There is no perfect language, but looking at companies that interest you, and see what they are hiring for. Programming logic and design, basic an advanced DB theory, and any languages that interest you or that local jobs are hiring for is a good start.

[Craizie]

If fucking sucks. Talk about mind numbing and tedious.

[propellerhead]

I was in the defense software (flight simulation, avionics, flight controls) for almost 30 years. We did FORTRAN, Ada, C, C++, etc. A degree in Computer Science is good. Aeronautical or Electrical Engineering is better. Most of my language training came from companies like Lockheed, Boeing, etc.

With programming, it's either you have it or you don't. You'll know in the first year if it's the career for you. An inherent desire to fix things or make things work is what matters. If it's not for you, you'll probably end up in IT/Networking and support the programmers/engineers by providing them workstations and cleaning their mouse balls.

[Ruffdaddy]

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

[slow99]

How does one become a programmer?

Get a handful of marbles, you put them in your mouth, ok?

Then you go to Gilley's and you program that computer.

Every time you program that computer, you take one of them marbles and spit it out.

Ok, and when you've lost all your marbles, that's when you're a programmer.