what should i do now?

zling · 07-24-2008, 11:41 AM

last year i was a senior in high school and now im going to a community collage. i took a java programing class and did extreamly well, i finished all of the class work in the first semester and helped others in the class and played tron the rest of the year. the cc im going to now doesnt have any programming classes and im going to be here for a while and i want to continue to learn more programming. does anyone know how i could learn more or at least not let my skills weaken over the few years before i transfer?

Showtime · 07-24-2008, 11:58 AM

I am interested in this thread as well :]
Sort of the same boat

BadTouch · 07-24-2008, 12:11 PM

I would say to either enroll in an online course for programming (if you want to/ can afford it) or you might have to take the hard road and self teach yourself the more complex areas.

Or you could get a job/ internship at a programming-related business/corp...

Pwnzilla · 07-24-2008, 12:20 PM

Pretty much agree with what BT said. If you have a good idea of where you will be transfering to continue your education, get a copy of the curriculum (and ideally the syllabus) you want to follow and hit Amazon to find textbooks/reference books on the subjects to get yourself a headstart.

Requiem · 07-24-2008, 11:05 PM

Teaching yourself is a good way to learn, especially if you apply that to something your trying to make. Find a project that revolves around programming, build something from it, sell it online.

zling · 07-24-2008, 11:48 PM

the problem is i have absolutly nothing to make. other then that thanks for the advise guys, il look into that stuff when i can.

Requiem · 07-24-2008, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zling

the problem is i have absolutly nothing to make. other then that thanks for the advise guys, il look into that stuff when i can.

Make a Java game.

Moobsy · 07-25-2008, 12:27 AM

A very close friend of mine just graduated with his bachelors in computer programming. Math is what you want to study if you believe him.

He tells me that all programming is is dumbing down math for programmers. I am an artist and a teacher, I have no idea what programmers do or mean when they say these things.

Pretty sure math is important though.

Novix · 07-25-2008, 07:20 AM

Yes you do need math, but unless you are building a physics engine, not really that necessary to have a ton of it under your belt. As for books to pick up, possibly one that teaches you more about Java than what a CC would teach you. I would most definitely pick up a book about Object Oriented (OO) programing, which is the big idea behind Java and C++.

As far as picking up projects to learn more, pick something you like that would involve computers and design/code something small and helpful for that area. Eventually when you figure how to do more things you can keep making that small project bigger or start anew. If you are still stumped, then a generic approach would be better.

Tetris is a good start, a lot of work at the start would involve learning how to use the GUI stuff in Java but overall a simple project. Tic Tac Toe, not all that heavy in the graphics department compared to Tetris but more involving when you try to program an AI that isn't stupid. Another goodie would be Pong. Again Pong would be a little difficult with the GUI and programing the AI to miss on occasion may or may not give you trouble.

The reason I give these games as examples is because everyone knows how these work, at least on the surface. Your job is to break it down into the little bits and pieces to make it work. Probably one of the more difficult things you'll have to do as a programmer. My last bits of advice are (1) plan out your program. Try to think of everything you'll need (but not all the tiny details at first, think of big problems then tackle the little ones of that problem when you get to it) and the generic structure required to do what you need to. (2) Buy a whiteboard, doesn't matter how big it is. You can put your thoughts down so that you can plan easier or it helps you figure out problems with your code.

Feel free to ask on the boards or PM with any other questions.

SilentDemon · 07-25-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zling

last year i was a senior in high school and now im going to a community collage. i took a java programing class and did extreamly well, i finished all of the class work in the first semester and helped others in the class and played tron the rest of the year. the cc im going to now doesnt have any programming classes and im going to be here for a while and i want to continue to learn more programming. does anyone know how i could learn more or at least not let my skills weaken over the few years before i transfer?

College

Set a goal and practice what you know.

07-24-2008, 11:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
zling Havoc Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 43	what should i do now? last year i was a senior in high school and now im going to a community collage. i took a java programing class and did extreamly well, i finished all of the class work in the first semester and helped others in the class and played tron the rest of the year. the cc im going to now doesnt have any programming classes and im going to be here for a while and i want to continue to learn more programming. does anyone know how i could learn more or at least not let my skills weaken over the few years before i transfer? __________________

07-24-2008, 11:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Showtime Way better than HBO Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California (So-Cal) Posts: 2,176	I am interested in this thread as well :] Sort of the same boat __________________ Want a signature like mine? PM me

07-24-2008, 12:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pwnzilla Putting the funk in dysfunctional Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Alabama, USA Posts: 1,218	Pretty much agree with what BT said. If you have a good idea of where you will be transfering to continue your education, get a copy of the curriculum (and ideally the syllabus) you want to follow and hit Amazon to find textbooks/reference books on the subjects to get yourself a headstart. __________________

07-24-2008, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Requiem Killed to Death Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA Posts: 8,984 Blog Entries: 7	Teaching yourself is a good way to learn, especially if you apply that to something your trying to make. Find a project that revolves around programming, build something from it, sell it online. __________________ Requiem - Guild Leader & Founder Zapp: You see, Killbots have a preset kill limit. Knowing their weakness, I sent wave after wave of my own men at them, until they reached their limit and shutdown. Kif, show them the medal I won. [Kif sighs and points to a medal on Zapp's uniform.]

07-24-2008, 11:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
zling Havoc Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 43	the problem is i have absolutly nothing to make. other then that thanks for the advise guys, il look into that stuff when i can. __________________

07-24-2008, 12:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
BadTouch is a hardcore runner Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California Posts: 926	I would say to either enroll in an online course for programming (if you want to/ can afford it) or you might have to take the hard road and self teach yourself the more complex areas. Or you could get a job/ internship at a programming-related business/corp...

07-25-2008, 12:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
Moobsy Taco Flavored Kisses. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 357	A very close friend of mine just graduated with his bachelors in computer programming. Math is what you want to study if you believe him. He tells me that all programming is is dumbing down math for programmers. I am an artist and a teacher, I have no idea what programmers do or mean when they say these things. Pretty sure math is important though. __________________

07-25-2008, 07:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
Novix Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 93	Yes you do need math, but unless you are building a physics engine, not really that necessary to have a ton of it under your belt. As for books to pick up, possibly one that teaches you more about Java than what a CC would teach you. I would most definitely pick up a book about Object Oriented (OO) programing, which is the big idea behind Java and C++. As far as picking up projects to learn more, pick something you like that would involve computers and design/code something small and helpful for that area. Eventually when you figure how to do more things you can keep making that small project bigger or start anew. If you are still stumped, then a generic approach would be better. Tetris is a good start, a lot of work at the start would involve learning how to use the GUI stuff in Java but overall a simple project. Tic Tac Toe, not all that heavy in the graphics department compared to Tetris but more involving when you try to program an AI that isn't stupid. Another goodie would be Pong. Again Pong would be a little difficult with the GUI and programing the AI to miss on occasion may or may not give you trouble. The reason I give these games as examples is because everyone knows how these work, at least on the surface. Your job is to break it down into the little bits and pieces to make it work. Probably one of the more difficult things you'll have to do as a programmer. My last bits of advice are (1) plan out your program. Try to think of everything you'll need (but not all the tiny details at first, think of big problems then tackle the little ones of that problem when you get to it) and the generic structure required to do what you need to. (2) Buy a whiteboard, doesn't matter how big it is. You can put your thoughts down so that you can plan easier or it helps you figure out problems with your code. Feel free to ask on the boards or PM with any other questions.

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