Getting Better At Programming Without Uni?

[HateDread]

Hey all,

I'm looking to develop my programming skills over here in NSW, Australia. I tinker a little bit and script in .sqf (the language of the ArmA series), but I don't want to go to uni and do Bachelor of Computer Science, etc. I was thinking more along the lines of online courses / distant education, and so on.

Does anyone have any ideas how to get better whilst making sure to develop proper/efficient practices? Seems to be something one cannot just 'do' without -some- sort of guidance.

Regards,
- HateDread.

 

[thesilentman]

Hey all,

I'm looking to develop my programming skills over here in NSW, Australia. I tinker a little bit and script in .sqf (the language of the ArmA series), but I don't want to go to uni and do Bachelor of Computer Science, etc. I was thinking more along the lines of online courses / distant education, and so on.

Does anyone have any ideas how to get better whilst making sure to develop proper/efficient practices? Seems to be something one cannot just 'do' without -some- sort of guidance.

Regards,
- HateDread.

Write down the flow of your program, that's one way. Also pick up something like C++, which you can make many different types of programs with.

There's a lot more to this, but I'd like to know what do you want to program for so I'd get a better idea.

 

[Tokeism]

TAFE?

 

[thesilentman]

TAFE?

I'm not familiar with the acronym, what does that mean?

 

[Hairetos]

If it makes you feel better, there are a ton of ways you can get into computer science without university. In fact, at an ivy league school, most of my friends in CS programming majors learn the VAST majority of their methods from the internet. Lectures and stuff don't help them at all. All university does is give them practice work to do.

There are a variety of options. First, there are tons of books you can find on programming in just about any language. As far as online education is concerned, there are programs that are even free like MIT's open courseware where you can view lectures on just about any subject as well as things like coursera.

Bottom line, your skills in computer science will come mostly down to your own diligence. My friends spend a ton of time on it outside of lectures (some don't even attend lectures). A degree helps build reputation, sure, but a strong portfolio with project experience is better.

 

[Tokeism]

TAFE?

I'm not familiar with the acronym, what does that mean?

In Australia, technical and further education or TAFE /ˈteɪf/ institutions provide a wide range of predominantly vocational tertiary education courses, mostly qualifying courses under the National Training System/Australian Qualifications Framework/Australian Quality Training Framework. Fields covered include business, finance, hospitality, tourism, construction, engineering, visual arts, information technology and community work.

 

[HateDread]

Hey all,

I'm looking to develop my programming skills over here in NSW, Australia. I tinker a little bit and script in .sqf (the language of the ArmA series), but I don't want to go to uni and do Bachelor of Computer Science, etc. I was thinking more along the lines of online courses / distant education, and so on.

Does anyone have any ideas how to get better whilst making sure to develop proper/efficient practices? Seems to be something one cannot just 'do' without -some- sort of guidance.

Regards,
- HateDread.

Write down the flow of your program, that's one way. Also pick up something like C++, which you can make many different types of programs with.

There's a lot more to this, but I'd like to know what do you want to program for so I'd get a better idea.

If it makes you feel better, there are a ton of ways you can get into computer science without university. In fact, at an ivy league school, most of my friends in CS programming majors learn the VAST majority of their methods from the internet. Lectures and stuff don't help them at all. All university does is give them practice work to do.

There are a variety of options. First, there are tons of books you can find on programming in just about any language. As far as online education is concerned, there are programs that are even free like MIT's open courseware where you can view lectures on just about any subject as well as things like coursera.

Bottom line, your skills in computer science will come mostly down to your own diligence. My friends spend a ton of time on it outside of lectures (some don't even attend lectures). A degree helps build reputation, sure, but a strong portfolio with project experience is better.

Thanks for the help guys!

Well, I'd love to do game programming, for one, but programming as a profession outside of that sounds alright too; I'd just like to develop my skill-set, particularly as related to my passion; video-games.

I was thinking of buying 'Jumping into C++'; http://www.cprogramming.com/c++book/?inl=tut I've read the sample chapters and it seems well set-out. I want to start from the beginnings of C++, whereas some courses require a pre-existing knowledge of programming skills, which I only partly-have.

Any further advice would be great.
-HateDread.

 

[thesilentman]

snip

Dang, I was about to suggest that same book! If you need a C++ compiler for free (open source, too), I now direct you to CodeBlocks: [link]http://www.codeblocks.org/[/link]

I would also suggest learning about what really goes on inside a computer. Start by seeing the hidden folders and full filename extensions in Windows/Mac and seeing how they contribute to the overall application.

And if you're really sadistic (and into this), start using Linux. Linux will force you to know the insides of a computer and in turn, understand what happens when applications launch. I said that using Linux is sadistic, but it happens to be the best way to learn what happens underneath a system's core and design your own applications to work with that flow better.

Any more questions? I'll be here. Until then, hope I helped.

 

[YicklePigeon]

I was thinking of buying 'Jumping into C++'; http://www.cprogramming.com/c++book/?inl=tut I've read the sample chapters and it seems well set-out. I want to start from the beginnings of C++, whereas some courses require a pre-existing knowledge of programming skills, which I only partly-have.

There is also 3D Buzz [http://www.3dbuzz.com] who offer many free videos (the usual "create a username/password" free registration applies after the intro videos), all split up into individual chapters and will give you a good starting point in C++, along with other languages such as C#.

Also, having just tested the videos, the free training for C++ takes you from the absolute basics and underpinnings of C++ (arrays, variables etc) through to pointers and inheritance to creating a game.

I would also suggest learning about what really goes on inside a computer. Start by seeing the hidden folders and full filename extensions in Windows/Mac and seeing how they contribute to the overall application.

Agreed - or as I refer to it as: one of the first things to be done after installing Windows...right after killing the sounds.

But anyway, whilst we don't know HateDread's knowledge level as regards the inner workings of a computer (HateDread could be quite the geek), I can say from experience - having attended university as an older student - that many a young student these days doesn't even know so much what RAM is, let alone a motherboard...or a GUI even (despite using several in a day) - even after several years of studying on computing-based courses. And mention that you can get training for free? It's like telling them the Earth is in orbit of the Sun and not the other way around (and that goes for older students too).

I tell you, I didn't have enough hands to facepalm with! :|

 

[HateDread]

I was thinking of buying 'Jumping into C++'; http://www.cprogramming.com/c++book/?inl=tut I've read the sample chapters and it seems well set-out. I want to start from the beginnings of C++, whereas some courses require a pre-existing knowledge of programming skills, which I only partly-have.

There is also 3D Buzz [http://www.3dbuzz.com] who offer many free videos (the usual "create a username/password" free registration applies after the intro videos), all split up into individual chapters and will give you a good starting point in C++, along with other languages such as C#.

Also, having just tested the videos, the free training for C++ takes you from the absolute basics and underpinnings of C++ (arrays, variables etc) through to pointers and inheritance to creating a game.

I would also suggest learning about what really goes on inside a computer. Start by seeing the hidden folders and full filename extensions in Windows/Mac and seeing how they contribute to the overall application.

Agreed - or as I refer to it as: one of the first things to be done after installing Windows...right after killing the sounds.

But anyway, whilst we don't know HateDread's knowledge level as regards the inner workings of a computer (HateDread could be quite the geek), I can say from experience - having attended university as an older student - that many a young student these days doesn't even know so much what RAM is, let alone a motherboard...or a GUI even (despite using several in a day) - even after several years of studying on computing-based courses. And mention that you can get training for free? It's like telling them the Earth is in orbit of the Sun and not the other way around (and that goes for older students too).

I tell you, I didn't have enough hands to facepalm with! :|

Haha yes, I am quite the geek - build my own PC, etc etc.

So I bought 'Jumping Into C++' and so far, I love it! I'm learning a lot I think. But I wanted to ask why the following code isn't working. One of the examples is asking me to have the user input an arithmetic operation, then two terms, and provide the result. I can't get my 'while' to work:

#include
#include

using namespace std;

int main ()
{
string operationinput;
double firstterm;
double secondterm;
double finalanswer;

//Maybe loop back to here after failure?
cout << "Please input an arithmetic operation - plus, minus, divide, multply: ";
getline (cin, operationinput, ''\n'');

while (!(operationinput == "plus" || operationinput == "minus" || operationinput == "divide" || operationinput == "multiply"))
{

cout << "Operation not accepted. Restart the program and try again.\n";
cout << "Please input an arithmetic operation - plus, minus, divide, multply: ";
getline (cin, operationinput, ''\n'');
//Need an exit function or return to start here. Or fix the while loop.
}

cout << "Please input the first number: ";
cin >> firstterm;
cout << "Please input the second number: ";
cin >> secondterm;

if (operationinput == "plus")
{
finalanswer = firstterm + secondterm;
}
else if (operationinput == "minus")
{
finalanswer = firstterm - secondterm;
}
else if (operationinput == "divide")
{
finalanswer = firstterm / secondterm;
}
else if (operationinput == "multiply")
{
finalanswer = firstterm * secondterm;
}

cout << "The final answer is: " << finalanswer << ".";
}

EDIT:
Just wanted to quote you too so you got a notification

snip

Dang, I was about to suggest that same book! If you need a C++ compiler for free (open source, too), I now direct you to CodeBlocks: [link]http://www.codeblocks.org/[/link]

I would also suggest learning about what really goes on inside a computer. Start by seeing the hidden folders and full filename extensions in Windows/Mac and seeing how they contribute to the overall application.

And if you're really sadistic (and into this), start using Linux. Linux will force you to know the insides of a computer and in turn, understand what happens when applications launch. I said that using Linux is sadistic, but it happens to be the best way to learn what happens underneath a system's core and design your own applications to work with that flow better.

Any more questions? I'll be here. Until then, hope I helped.