Alex
What does the field Computer Programming need.
I am asking this because this is my favorite interest and I want to get a early start on it. #computer-science #computer-programming
4 answers
Eric Willisson
Eric’s Answer
I agree with Kasey. If your high school offers classes, take them, and whether it does or not, practice on your own as much as you can. I recommend codeacademy.com for a lot of good introductions, and once you've done that, find something that you like to do and start trying it out. I learned to program by writing computer games. As the games I wrote got more complicated, I had to learn more and more advanced computer science ideas.
Computer Science is involved in everything from websites to mobile apps to number crunching to robotics, so find a section that interests you and you're able to work in (robotics can be hard if you don't have access to robot parts, for example) and practice for a while. Most of the skills will apply to all the other uses, so anything you do will probably help you in college and in jobs afterwards.
Thank You!
Kasey McKenna
Kasey’s Answer
As far as classes go, many high schools offer intro to computer science classes in C++, Visual Basic, and Java. After you graduate you can get a degree in computer science from pretty much anywhere.
You can also just play around with different languages and see what you can do! The best way to really get into it is to make things. I think Javascript is a very easy way to hit the ground running, especially since you can run things in a browser very easily. I taught myself from w3schools, it's a pretty good start.
Good luck!
Allan B. Ashenfelter
Allan B.’s Answer
Just like any strength and fitness coach will tell you, the most important thing to focus on is the core; in this case the fundamental concepts of programming (e.g. the principles of object orientation, Boolean logic, etc.). Once you have these firmly in place the entire coding world will be open to you. I teach classes on advanced development topics, and I often find among my students well-seasoned programmers who are otherwise very sharp but lacking in conceptual understanding of their art. Think of this in the way you might of any language: Spanish, English, French - very different in style, form and pronunciation but all still composed of nouns, verbs, adjectives and all still confirming to the same basic and universal rules of linguistics
Once you understand the core, the rest is just syntax.
Jimil Burkhart
Jimil’s Answer
Strong problem-solving skills: Computer programmers must be able to analyze and solve complex problems, which often requires a combination of creativity and logical thinking.
Proficiency in one or more programming languages: Programmers must have a good understanding of the specific programming languages and tools used in their industry. Some of the most widely used programming languages include Python, C++, and Java, but the specific languages will depend on the industry and the specific task at hand.
Familiarity with software development methodologies: Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall are some of the popular methodologies used in the industry. Understanding of these methodologies and how to apply them can be essential for success in the field.
Strong communication skills: Programming is often a collaborative process, so programmers must be able to communicate effectively with other members of the development team, including designers, project managers, and other stakeholders.
A willingness to learn and adapt: The field of computer programming is constantly changing and evolving, so programmers must be willing to continuously learn new programming languages, tools, and technologies in order to stay current.
Familiarity with computer hardware: Understanding the basic hardware of the computer can help in understanding how software interacts with hardware, it will also help in debugging and optimizing the software.
Understanding of basic mathematics and algorithms: A good understanding of mathematical concepts like algorithms, complexity theory, data structures and also be beneficial.
As you are just starting your journey, it's good to remember that this is just a general list and it's always a good idea to research specific industries and roles you are interested in to get a better sense of what type of skills are in demand.