What exactly should I do to learn "languages including.NET, Angular,Java, HTML, R, Python, SQL databases, querying languages, Business intelligence platforms, automation tools, software testing tools, and machine learning techniques"?
Any coding books or websites you reccomend? Or are there other ways to learn these skills? #programming #computer science #stem #technology #tech #software #software-engineering #information-technology- and- services
8 answers
Yonatan’s Answer
That is a WHOLE mess of things. I would focus on a single programming language that interests you. Do a little reading about each of the languages a figure out what resonates with you. If you are interested in front end/UI development (like writing websites) try HTML, Angular, React. If you want to build services that can work across huge data sets and solve complex problems look at .NET, Java, Python.
The most important thing I would try to remember is: learning a language is learning how to program. Once you know how to program you can take those skills and learn additional languages as needed.
As you work on projects for whichever language you choose you'll necessarily be exposed to things like SQL DBs as you work on projects.
With regards to actual learning, https://teamtreehouse.com/ is very very helpful. There's a code environment in the browser and videos to learn along with. There are also tracks so you can learn all about dbs, java, etc and have working applications at the end. I used it when I joined a team that worked in Java. I had never worked in Java before and was writing production code months later.
Alex’s Answer
Maureen’s Answer
Hi! This is a great question - and a very long list! Good news, you do not need to know all of these things in order to start working as a software engineer! As you've noticed, there are many resources to help you get started but you don't have to learn it all.
Pick something that you're interested in, and try to learn as much as possible about it. The more time you spend focused on one language, or one technology, the more stories you'll have to tell about what you've learned, what was hard, and was was easy. Learning one thing will also help you learn how to "learn other things."
A LOT of the items you've listed you will have the opportunity to learn on the job, no one is expected to know all of these tools early in their career :)
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Bryan,
It depends on how you learn, I found that I learned best through hands on learning (building small projects) and that I needed guidance to be able to build them. I started by trying out different online coding classes from different companies to see which styles I liked best. After I got a little comfortable with coding I found an affordable bootcamp in the city I live in (3 month bootcamp for ruby and javascript) and have been working as a software engineer ever since. Here are a few of the sites I used, and some I still use to this day. If you are very new to coding I would recommend taking code fundamentals/foundations classes (it doesn't really matter what language you use, a lot of these concepts will transfer across programming languages):
- Coursera - I personally liked this site the best because it was the most like a class (sending in work that gets reviewed, having deadlines) and I work best that way, but (again) you may be different! I would recommend looking at fundamentals classes.
- Codeacademy - it's free, it's definitely a good place to start and you can choose a path to work through. Their teaching style is more like following along and being quizzed. I think it's a good place to start looking into different concepts or languages to see where you may want to learn more.
- Udemy - The prices vary but they often have coupons (google for udemy coupons and you can usually find a discount!) they have high quality classes, this is more like following along with videos. I still use udemy as a professional, they have a lot of great classes and you can see the reviews from other students.
Jessica recommends the following next steps:
priya’s Answer
I would say first try to explore all the fields you have put up there for you to know which one you like the best.
Then you can do a dedicated 4 year engineering course on that particular language or you can do a online course which will help you to get better understanding of the same.
Machine learning is a very interesting field and you would love it if you are a Math lover.
I would say Angular is the recent upcoming language and you may give your try at it.
Mariana’s Answer
Hi Bryan, I agree that nowadays learning has changed a lot and everything is online. I will recommend https://www.coursera.org/ and Youtube channels like Derek Banas, Codecourse, TheChernoProject. I also recommend going after a Data Scientist degree, this is high demand nowadays in the industry.
Mariana recommends the following next steps:
Andres’s Answer
The best next step, is learn from the internet videos and free programs. after that, I recommend to have a 4 year degree at a university, that will open doors on a large corporation
José’s Answer
I agree very much with the answer of my colleague Mariana below. Explore first some leading platforms in MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses), to begin to experience programming in some languages, even first, I would advise you to take courses in programming fundamentals, independent of any programming language, that will give you the bases to program later in any programming language. Udacity, Coursera and edX, three excellent platforms in MOOCs to start experimenting, and to get an idea of which four-year career to take. it could be Data Analyst, Data Scientist or Data Engineer.
José recommends the following next steps: