Michael_Mosson wrote

Skiddyflyer wrote I started with game making in Xcode (Objective-C language), it is a very easy language to learn, and I highly recommend it. Games are where the real money is in these days, and if you plan on learning java to make games, I highly do not recommend that as you can use programs to translate your Xcode project into the Java language. Let me know what language you are planning on learning, I know a few, so many I can help you out.

Don't you need a mac for Xcode though?

Yes, you do. Xcode is also, for the most part, used to create apps.

I'll probably get hated on for this, but if your having issues teaching yourself anything like Java, C, etc.

VB.Net is very simple. People look down on it but the reality is that VB is very similar to how the English language itself works. Example: if then statements are simply

If function = true then
'Do something
Else
'Do something else
End if

C# is pretty easy as well but its IMO harder without previous knowledge.

However, learning to write in anything else after learning VB may be annoying. I know the ; and how defining variables worked in c# was kind of annoying for me at first.

First of all, make sure this is what you do. Computer programming is a ever evolving field that can be very stress full. I'll give you an example, you are contracted to write the software for your local hospital. You spend all day and night and can't quite get it finished, and your program glitches while monitoring someone's heart rate and the person dies. That would be your fault. You have to live with that blood on your hands. While that is a extreme example don't overlook it. Not having enough time to finish some code is a very real issue.

Second of all, I wouldn't concern yourself with learning to program too much now. Learn a little .NET Framework or Java just to make sure that you enjoy this kind of stuff. Then just focus on your grades, specifically calculus and work on a great score on your SAT/ACT and get into a selective college. I know colleges like to feed people that "we want a well rounded individual" line and people eat that up but don't be fooled. They won't care what programming skills you have going into college, so don't waste your time. Get your head in the books and make the grade.

Best of luck, and be careful who you listen too on here. I will go out on a limb and say that just about everyone that replied to this thread is just regurgitating some chidlish information they read on some shady website.

Rhymes wrote First of all, make sure this is what you do. Computer programming is a ever evolving field that can be very stress full. I'll give you an example, you are contracted to write the software for your local hospital. You spend all day and night and can't quite get it finished, and your program glitches while monitoring someone's heart rate and the person dies. That would be your fault. You have to live with that blood on your hands. While that is a extreme example don't overlook it. Not having enough time to finish some code is a very real issue.

Second of all, I wouldn't concern yourself with learning to program too much now. Learn a little .NET Framework or Java just to make sure that you enjoy this kind of stuff. Then just focus on your grades, specifically calculus and work on a great score on your SAT/ACT and get into a selective college. I know colleges like to feed people that "we want a well rounded individual" line and people eat that up but don't be fooled. They won't care what programming skills you have going into college, so don't waste your time. Get your head in the books and make the grade.

Best of luck, and be careful who you listen too on here. I will go out on a limb and say that just about everyone that replied to this thread is just regurgitating some chidlish information they read on some shady website.

I have to say I agree entirely with the second point you made.

OP: You really should be focusing on getting good grades at school for the maths and sciences. Getting into a respectable university is really what you should be striving for especially considering the majority of people go to uni nowadays. I can say almost all the Russel group universities don't care the slightest about past programming experience. Solid grades in physics, maths etc is much more preferable; even if it is for a computer science degree. Though of course definitely do delve into programming as a hobby but I would strongly advice against letting it get in the way of your school work.

Though getting into just any university doesn't mean anything to anyone. There are a lot of unis out there that would just take in anyone. It frustrates me when I see people impressed with mere fact of getting into university with disregard to the accreditation associated with their respective university. I'm only saying this because lots of people do programming and lots of people pursue computer science degrees.
- This is just my advice, don't take it as written in stone.

People don't need to pursue a degree to be a successful programmer. If the field becomes a hobby, and you proceed to build a strong portfolio over the years, this will make it much easier when applying for a programming position. I know many companies who don't even look at degrees, they just look at how much experience you have, and they ask you to provide the portfolio with it. E.g. [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

I know someone who has been in the game industry since the end of the 90's. He too doesn't have a degree or at least A level qualifications. But, he had a strong portfolio to show the employers, which got him to where he is now. I could easily take an apprenticeship as a junior programmer, and develop it into a permanent job while someone is just beginning the field in University. Who do you think they'll respect more? Someone with a degree, who only begun learning in University.. or someone who has actually built a respectable reputation in software agencies, and they have a professional portfolio to provide? Obviously the second candidate.. (imo). Many routes can be taken to get into the industry, I'm merely expressing my own opinion.

@OP

As they said above, ace your grades. But find something you are interested in working on. It could be Web Development, Bukkit plugins, Game dev.. What ever it is, just apply your learning to what you are interesting in working on. As a result of doing so, it will enable you to focus more, and it'll keep you interested, rather than following tedious tutorials. As they always say, learning by doing is key.

SirLulz wrote People don't need to pursue a degree to be a successful programmer. If the field becomes a hobby, and you proceed to build a strong portfolio over the years, this will make it much easier when applying for a programming position. I know many companies who don't even look at degrees, they just look at how much experience you have, and they ask you to provide the portfolio with it. E.g. [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

I know someone who has been in the game industry since the end of the 90's. He too doesn't have a degree or at least A level qualifications. But, he had a strong portfolio to show the employers, which got him to where he is now. I could easily take an apprenticeship as a junior programmer, and develop it into a permanent job while someone is just beginning the field in University. Who do you think they'll respect more? Someone with a degree, who only begun learning in University.. or someone who has actually built a respectable reputation in software agencies, and they have a professional portfolio to provide? Obviously the second candidate.. (imo). Many routes can be taken to get into the industry, I'm merely expressing my own opinion.

@OP

As they said above, ace your grades. But find something you are interested in working on. It could be Web Development, Bukkit plugins, Game dev.. What ever it is, just apply your learning to what you are interesting in working on. As a result of doing so, it will enable you to focus more, and it'll keep you interested, rather than following tedious tutorials. As they always say, learning by doing is key.

I didn't mean to throw my point across in that a degree is the only option, I only raised that point due to the basic fact that the vast majority of people do in fact pursue degrees nowadays. - If you want to go to university they don't care about your programming experience, I was not referring to applying for a job.

Though if you can distinguish yourself from others with higher education through a portfolio or past work experience then that's great. Though it's just a lot more difficult to make industry connections on your own and especially when considering that large companies typically expect higher education as a standard. When you consider a typical software engineering job at google they expect a computer science degree or a PhD as a bare minimum requirement.

I'm going to leave my point at that, I obviously put my point across wrong. Programming is fun but in my opinion a lot of the jobs in the field are very boring. If you want to get an enjoyable job in computing you do have to distinguish yourself.