Complete Idiot's Guide to a Career in Computer Programming

8 months ago I was doing tons of career research in the hope of figuring out which direction to take with my life. I am now a web development student at Spokane Community College and am really excited about my future for the first time in years. This book was the turning point in making my decision. Jesse Liberty inspired me. I have traveled 1,700 miles to study in what I judged to be the best web dev program in the U.S. A year ago I never would have dreamed I'd be doing this. The book answered many of my questions about programming, while at the same time convincing me that there is a nitch for me in programming and that there is no reason to be afraid of trying to learn to program.However, Mr. Liberty pushes the study-at-home method pretty heavy. Since he is an author of tutorial books it's in his best interest to get people interested in them. My personal experience is that I tried learning programming at home, and found I could learn it. However, despite the fact that I'm very enthusiastic and motivated, I found it difficult to consistently motivate myself to do it day after day. Having no feedback from anyoone else, and being at home alone day after day, week after week grew tiresome. Also, when it comes to web programming, there are so many different languages and technologies, I found I just wanted to study in an established program with like-minded people. So, I have opted to return to school.One other point on which I disagree with him is his suggestion that a beginner should jump in and start learning C++. Here again, he writes C++ tutorial books... The fact is that C++ is the most difficult programming language. Beginners will find Visual Basic much easier and more fun. And there is PLENTY of demand for VB programmers. (Incidentally, a great VB tutorial book is "Programming With Visual Basic 6.0" by Diane Zak, which we're using at school.)If you're considering a career in programming of any kind, GO FOR IT! Don't be scared. Prorgamming isn't as hard as you think. Millions of people are going into networking because they have the perception that computer programming is super-hard and boring. It's not hard, just complicated. It just takes time to learn. And if it's so boring, why do so many programmers find their work so rewarding and satisfying? Did you ever stop and wonder why there are so many programmers who write programs for fun in there spare time after working all day programming at their jobs? I find it extremely satisfying to know that when I graduate I'll be able to go anywhere and get a job - a very high paying job. And where else can you find a relistic possibility of moving into management within just a few years, due to the tremendous growth in the industry. Good luck in your new career!

I am very happy to say that I am beginning to do software programming on the job now thanks do to this book. I am an Electronic Technician by trade. I work in a manufacturing plant that makes printed circuit boards(PCBs) and my job is to repair printed circuit boards that do not pass the functional testing process. I have been doing electronic repair for about 10 years now(since I was in the military) and I love it, but I was beginning to see that without some software background that advancement and pay would be fairly limited. However, I did not want to go to college yet; and to be quite honest, I felt that why spend the money on college if I can get my foot in the door with some programming experience on the job?So, I started to do "Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days" by Jesse Liberty; and while I was doing it, I came across this book in researching other books by Jesse Liberty. Well, after reading a few chapters, I started to talk to a couple of Test Engineers at my job and with their help I received some test documentation and a limited test code library. I am proud to say, just after 2 months of self study, that I have developed a simple program that helps me troubleshoot one of the products that I repair regularly, faster and more efficently. The test engineers have seen my my little pet project and are quite impressed with my progress. Now understand, I am not close to being ready to write professional commercial software. However, this is just the beginning and I am planning to create even more code for the other PCBs that I repair. Also, at the same time, I got my foot in the door for advancement to a position in computer programming (hopefully sometime in the near future.) So if you are really serious about changing careers, you MUST buy this book! This is the time for it now! There are not enough computer software professionals out there to meet the demand and employers just want someone who can do the job. This book can help you be the person who gets the job.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone contemplating a career (or a career change) in programming. As a relative novice, I'd found it difficult to find straight answers about such things as the differences between the various programming languages, their uses, strengths and weakness, and the salary expectations associated with them. Liberty's style is friendly and clear enough for the uninitiated while he manages to avoid dumbing it down too much to be substantive. In addition, the author personally supports his books in a helpful online forum. I appreciate his help and I recommend this book highly.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to a Career in Computer Programming is a different kind of computer book. The author firsts describes the benefits and virtues needed as a programer (work ethic, pay, scheduling). He briefly outlines several different programing languages and a course of study. He lists numerous resources for learning and development (and if he doesn't list it he shows you how to find it). He gives a road map to entering the computer field and how to prepare for that entry. And refreshingly he is brutally honest about his beliefs on the direction of computer industry and who's going to succeed in it (you and me!). On the down side: there is a lot to cover and he's really limited with what he can present (there are only 282 pages!). At times the book jumps from subject to subject and he tries to compress complicated subjects into mini primers (9 pages for software modeling - yuck!). The bottom line? If you have any inkling at all of becoming a programer or are new to the field or have a desire to get some positive direction...BUY THIS BOOK! Any lacking in material is easily made up by the author's consistent listing of other study materials. I wish this book had been published a long time ago when I decided to change career paths!