Can I become a programmer?

[mak_20789]

Hi all,
I couldnt complete engineering course. I am interested in computers though. All I know about programming is C, HTML and basics of C++.
I studied linked lists in C on my own. Thats all I know about programming.
I wanted to ask all you experienced people here if I can study some language on my own on the internet with guidance from forums like this and then work as a freelance programmer? From what I found on net, one must have enough experience before starting working on own.And its not possible for me to get a job.
I already have a steady source of income which needs very little attention from me, so I am not looking at this as means of my survival, but doing it because I am interested in it .
Please tell me if this is possible or not.
Thank you.

[PeejAvery]

Anyone can become a programmer! The biggest problem is that it takes time. Years of training (sometimes in school, and many in experience) are required.

There are plenty of online tutorials to get you started, as well as more advanced ones. It will take much patience and focus.

[mak_20789]

Hi peejAvery,
thank you for your reply.
As I said, I dont have training at school, but i do have time,willingness to work hard and above all I am interested in learning.
As you said about online tutorials, can you please tell me about some good ones?And what language would you advice me to study?That is, considering that I will have to do self-study? As it is, I have some knowledge of C, but a friend of mine adviced me to study .NET
What do you suggest?
Thank you.

[PeejAvery]

And what language would you advice me to study?

.NET is great because of its advanced framework. But, with a C background, you might want to look into C++. Either way, this will truly depend on what you plan to develop. What kinds of applications are you looking to write?

As you said about online tutorials, can you please tell me about some good ones?

That all depends on what language you want to study. One you figure that out, search Google for the tutorial. For example, if you wanted to learn C++...

[getzephyr]

Check out in google you will get plenty of online tutorials list. Wish you all the best.

[GremlinSA]

I am interested in computers though. All I know about programming is C, HTML and basics of C++.
I studied linked lists in C on my own. Thats all I know about programming.
I wanted to ask all you experienced people here if I can study some language on my own on the internet with guidance from forums like this and then work as a freelance programmer?

There is only one thing you have to ask yourself.. why could you not complete the enginnering course?? If it was because you could not complete the tasks, or understand certain concepts... you may not be able to be a programmer.. (if it was due to time or money, thats a different story)..

From what I found on net, one must have enough experience before starting working on own.And its not possible for me to get a job.

You can still get a job as a junior programmer (Trainnee) with minimal experiance.. However you will need to show a basic knowledge of the language of choice..

I already have a steady source of income which needs very little attention from me, so I am not looking at this as means of my survival, but doing it because I am interested in it .

Something to remember, it can sometimes take day's to fix a bug in a simple program. been a programmer requires dedication, and a level thinking with the ability to visualise how the code is going to run, while editing the code..

Gremmy...

[geero]

I agree with PeejAvery. But the question you should ask yourself is what you want to be programming. If you would prefer to stick with web developing, I guess it might be easier for you to learn ASP.Net then any other language, because of your familiarity with C. There are a lot of differences between C and C# of course, but C# is quite easy to pick up. more advantages to that: the demand for ASP.Net developers is high and the pay is good. Anyway, whatever you choose, good luck and keep up the enthusiasm!

[mak_20789]

There is only one thing you have to ask yourself.. why could you not complete the enginnering course?? If it was because you could not complete the tasks, or understand certain concepts... you may not be able to be a programmer.. (if it was due to time or money, thats a different story)..

It was neither my understanding, nor time nor money...but something entirely different.

You can still get a job as a junior programmer (Trainnee) with minimal experiance.. However you will need to show a basic knowledge of the language of choice..

Thank you for clearing my doubt.

Anyway, whatever you choose, good luck and keep up the enthusiasm!

Thank you. I sure will.


As geero advised that ASP.net would be best language to study if I intend to stick with web development, then would I need to learn something else with that?
Thank you.

[GremlinSA]

It was neither my understanding, nor time nor money...but something entirely different.

Sorry.. feel a little stupid now ... it was not my intention to insult anyone.. Just a stupid assumption on my side..

Thank you for clearing my doubt.

N.P. I managed to land a Senior Developer position with out previous experiance, simply by showing an indepth knowledge of the language, and a few open source proggy's that i've written...

My online profile, (CG profile) was a big hit with my employer..

I'd have to say.. It was thanks to CG that i landed this position...

As geero advised that ASP.net would be best language to study if I intend to stick with web development, then would I need to learn something else with that?

With the ASP.net you could also do Visual C#.Net or Visual C++.Net.. in the same IDE...

Gremmy...

[mak_20789]

Sorry.. feel a little stupid now ... it was not my intention to insult anyone.. Just a stupid assumption on my side...

Please no need to say sorry..I think you were just being objective...and I know that this will be the first question I will be asked in any interview. And I thank you for your sincere advice.

With the ASP.net you could also do Visual C#.Net or Visual C++.Net.. in the same IDE...

OK. Just started with ASP.net.