Programming today...

[robid1]

For starters sorry if I’ve posted this message in the wrong place... I couldn’t find a more appropriate place to send a msg like this. I’m pretty much a beginner when it comes to programming; with all you experts out there I was thinking you could give me a nudge in the right direction. So my first question is how should i go about learning to program? I love C but that’s coz I only know C. And I only know how to use it under Windows. My other question is to the people that are in the programming industry. Is C still flowing or has C++ taken over as a whole? What are the demands, things that people will want in a programmer? I know these are general questions and I would like general answers, just want to be on track. Thanks a lot for anyone who wants to comment.

[Randy]

Most of the ads I see around my area either ask for C/C++ or Visual Basic, with Java increasing in popularity. I rarely see adverts for C alone.

BTW, if you want to learn to use C under UNIX/Linux, there are plenty of free shell accounts you can use for this purpose.

[Prelude]

>For starters sorry if I’ve posted this message in the wrong place...
This is fine, though the General Discussions would be slightly better.

>So my first question is how should i go about learning to program?
Find a good book, a good help forum, and write as many programs as you can manage in your spare time. The book will get you started, the forum will keep you on the road to good technique, and writing a lot of programs will give you practical experience.

>I love C but that’s coz I only know C.
I love C because it was my first 'real' language. The way I see it, C merges power and expressiveness without hindering the programmer. The cost is considered high by some, you can screw up worse than other languages, but I like not having my hand held by the language definition.

>And I only know how to use it under Windows.
Everyone starts somewhere and Windows is a large part of the field.

>Is C still flowing or has C++ taken over as a whole?
C++ is quickly becoming the dominant language for new programs, but the majority of code out there is still in C. I'd wager it will be a very long time before knowledge of C becomes worthless. I've made a very good living using C exclusively so far. Keep in mind that no language really dies, there's always someone who wants you to use it.

>What are the demands, things that people will want in a programmer?
A broad question deserves a broad answer. In no particular order:

1) You must be able to work in a team environment.
2) Good problem solving
3) Work quickly
4) Produce quality code
5) Knowledge of the subject at hand or an ability to learn it quickly.

What people want in a programmer is a guru of knowledge that works for for fun, refuses pay, lives at the office, and cranks out perfect code before everyone else in the industry...by him/herself. What they get is often close to that except for the guru of knowledge, refusal of pay, perfect code and on-time parts.

[robid1]

Thanks guys/gals? for your replys.
Prelude thanks for taking the time to answer the question how i would have liked. I have an idea now of where i should take things... thanks again.

Cheers Randy, ill have a look for some good shells...

Cheak ya

[Randy]

I used to use telnet://grex.org/ . . . you might want to check it out. the great thing about Grex is that it is an old-fashoned BBS system and there are plenty of veteran UNIX programmers there to help out if you get stuck. Best of luck!