Comments on: What Advice do you Give to Young Programmers?

By: Kingsley Tagbo

Kingsley Tagbo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:12:57 +0000

Build your software design and architecture skills and not just your coding skills

Don’t neglect mastering database design and development or learning sql .. .a lot of programmers think that it is optional

Code for real users with real problems … do not keep a distance from your users. At the end of the day you will find that you write better software when you take the time to know your users

By: Arthur Abogadil

Arthur Abogadil — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:45:29 +0000

Solve a lot of programming puzzles/problems etc… when i was starting on learning programming i’m literally “hungry” to solve all the problems i can find, today i ususally go to Topocoder.com to test my skills. Also, another tip is to master the basics, you know, Loops, Expressions, Functions, etc… when you master it, all other programming languages will be a piece of cake to learn.

By: Tylerdx

Tylerdx — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:38:21 +0000

I learn all by myself…

1) Darkbasic
2) Darkbasic Professional
3) C++ Goes over to C#
4) C#
5) Trying to learn C++

By: proent

proent — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:14:05 +0000

I do it all. Best way is to teach yourself.

By: Doug McFarlane

Doug McFarlane — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:25:24 +0000

It was already mentioned, but descriptive variable names makes a ton of difference, and requries much less commenting, as in:
Volume = Width * Length * Height (obvious what is going on), but
a = b * c * d (not obvious, and will need commenting).

And one more thing, learn programming fundamentals first. (I don’t have any suggestions as to where tho). Learn these concepts (in a general way, not language specific): variables, loops, conditions, functions, scope, etc, then they can be applied to any programming language. I consider myself a computer programmer, not a ‘c programmer’ because you can learn any language (overnight in most cases) when you fully understand the fundamentals. Happy coding.

By: dhoomz

dhoomz — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:30:19 +0000

I create good software without following 7 of those. I hate reading… I learn by instinct ;). The only thing I do is Backup because I suffered from that :-/ GO SUBVERSION! Did you ever realize, but I think the people who can program well dont have a gud taste of looks. Atleast me, people love the features my program has, but I always have to hire someone to get the design right.

Oh and, I love ustream. I use it all the time to teach people programming. I personally want to develop for it.

By: fireicer

fireicer — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:01:33 +0000

it would be useless of you to learn Microsoft visual java if you want to program a linux kernel waste time learning embedded C if your gonna program web pages so if you choose building a kernel you can choose the language you want to learn and stick to it how ever hard it is just keep going you will learn it think that is what is meant by what you need to do

By: fireicer

fireicer — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:55:48 +0000

powerful discussion which language, they all have massive amounts of power but limitations everywhere but one and that is the C language. would you program an operating system in java probably not so you would choose C for an OS i would, linux does, Microsoft use C as well but for a place i went to once they had a plc automated control system and the user interface was built in visual basic lol so which is better choose what you wanna do i think that is what he means java and kernel urm prob not

By: Truthiness231

Truthiness231 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:25:40 +0000

Advice to young programmers: think about a different job. Do some research into China and India if you don’t know why (unless you’re fine with working $9 an hour by our current standards in a decade or two).

By: spanishprisoner

spanishprisoner — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:42:12 +0000

So, my theory still counts… me (who can count) and you and all others who can’t. :P

By: iloveyoshi0xo

iloveyoshi0xo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:52:54 +0000

live FTW but I don’t have voice.

By: xxxxxJMxxxxx

xxxxxJMxxxxx — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:14:51 +0000

Filmed on my birthday. Yaaaaay!

By: Jroggy

Jroggy — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:03:34 +0000

I think what he’s getting at is, what is right for you to learn as a first language. I do agree picking the language that suits the job, and in a sense you could say you’re picking the right language for the job (which is learning). You don’t want to start off a new programmer with C/C++. Python or C# are much better languages to learn first, as they teache you a lot about OOP and various other important programming idioms :)

By: gulldarek

gulldarek — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:39:16 +0000

No. There are actually 3 types of people. Those who can count and those who can’t.

By: spanishprisoner

spanishprisoner — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:38:12 +0000

no, there are only two types of people. One type is me and the rest is the other… sad but true.