What to learn to make some money

Discussion in 'Computer Science & Culture' started by FlatAssembler, Apr 6, 2018.

  1. FlatAssembler Registered Member

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    I've been trying to learn how to program for a few years. The most complicated thing I've done by myself is a web-app that converts arithmetic expressions to i486-compatible assembly. So, what would you recommend me to learn to be able to make some money?
     
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  3. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    Interactive websites, e-commerce, java...
     
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  5. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    You could start with HTML/CSS/JavaScript. This will get you into web-based building with pretty low learning curve. Then you could move on to back-end type stuff.
     
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  7. mmatt9876 Registered Senior Member

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    Some popular and in demand computer languages are C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, and Python.
     
  8. FlatAssembler Registered Member

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    So, do you think that my knowledge is useless? I've made that web-app in JavaScript, and that's the only programming language I know well enough to do that in right now.
     
  9. mmatt9876 Registered Senior Member

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    If you feel you know your way around JavaScript then you could add that web-app you coded to your resume and use it to help you get a job using your JavaScript knowledge. Computer programmers are often well paid.
     
  10. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    One caveat:

    If you can at all manage it, try to leave out the part about "i486-compatible". You don't want to draw too much attention to the idea that your skills are 30 years out-of-date.
     
  11. FlatAssembler Registered Member

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    It's hard for me to really estimate how much I know. Even after years of learning how to program, I wouldn't know, for example, to program a nice 3D animation for a website, and many websites somehow have such things.
    Why is that exactly bad? If it works on i486, it will also work on all modern x86 processors.
     
  12. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Because what they'll hear is "The last, best program I wrote is 30 years old."

    The reality of the industry is more along the lines of "We are only interested in what you did in the last 6 months."

    That's not a show-stopper, you just don't want to needlessly draw attention to the fact.
     
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  13. goose Registered Senior Member

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    I've been through the ringer on computer languages -.-
    HTML, Java, Fortran, Python, some language that paired with Python, C++... I can't keep them straight and I screwed myself as those last 5 I learned over 4 semesters. Have a programming mind, but the mind of a fool in terms of syntax

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    My favorite out of all of them though was Python. Worked well for what I needed.
    For C++, I learned in a classroom that had no computers. All the tests were hand-written. Those memories are not fond

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  14. FlatAssembler Registered Member

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    I am 18 right now, by the way.
    My family is relatively poor and they probably won't be able to send me to a university. They also couldn't have afforded to send me to a good high-school, I've been going to a high-school where we don't even have ICT classes (the only high-school in the small town in Croatia I live in). My parents have always believed I was talented for computers and that I can use that to get them out of poverty, and they invested a lot of money into me learning how to program (they bought me an expensive laptop and quite a few books about programming). How do I explain them I am not able to make money with my knowledge?
     
  15. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    You can make money with your knowledge. Programming is huge right now. Write an app. Learn computational design with python and Rhino/ Grasshopper. Get freelance work. Build a portfolio.
     
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  16. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Humbel aplogies. I never meant to suggest you can't do this. You can.

    I'm living proof. I didn't go to university either. I took a 2-month crash course in programming and database design.

    My advice was simply that you want to put your best foot forward. Certainly tell them about your program - just phrase it in a way that highlights its current relevance to what your potential employers are looking for.


    One thing you might do is revisit your app and upgrade it so that it also supports some modern languages. That way, you'll be able to insert buzzwords (languages) that will prick their ears up.
     
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  17. mmatt9876 Registered Senior Member

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    A good way to estimate if you know enough JavaScript to get a job of some sort using the language is to research what JavaScript skills employers are looking for. If you already have the skills and want the job then you can apply for it if you like.
     
  18. mmatt9876 Registered Senior Member

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    I know some Java, C++, and C#. I do not have a favorite of the three yet. I got into computer programming to make my own apps and games. I spend a little time when I am able studying languages.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2018
  19. mmatt9876 Registered Senior Member

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    That is good advice. Having mastery over old skills can look good on your resume but employers are looking for in demand and contemporary skills.
     
  20. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Also: that's humble, not humbel.
    Man, I hate making typos.
     
  21. mmatt9876 Registered Senior Member

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    I have read that Python and Ruby are two easy languages to start off with.
     
  22. scifes In withdrawal. Valued Senior Member

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    I think you should focus your efforts less on the language and more on the application. Think about it from the perspective of the person who is paying you they want someone who is a specialist in their application/product. It's can be network security, mobile apps, crypto currency, robotics and /or drones, home automation and IoT, social media, etc...

    I think when you have an application to pool your efforts into you'd be able to display a portfolio better as well.
     
  23. gmilam Valued Senior Member

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    I've recently been involved in writing a mobile app for my company. We used Cordova and the Ionic framework, which sits on top of AngularJS. All the coding is in javascript and html. Google Ionic Framework and/or AngularJS - there are many tutorials available.
     

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