I'm just starting out man. Since I started (see: from the very start), I've learnt how to use if statements / switches, for /while / foreach loops, functions (and passing by reference), arrays, classes and inheritence etc. It's all pretty much identical.

I know how == and === work, C++ doesn't need the latter because of its strong typing. I'm assuming also that PHP doesn't need templates because of its loose typing. Global variables are different, sure, but it's not an enormous difference in terms of how it's going to effect the language. No namespaces, right, but again I'm talking about everything I've learnt so far.

If you've been a programmer for years and years then I'm pretty sure that this thread looks hilarious. Again though, I'm only saying that the things I listed at the start of this post are all I've learnt so far and are identical to what I've learnt in C++. You could probably say it's the same as any other programming language too, my point is that I'm surprised at how similar the logic is between different languages.

Hi GKANG - interesting post!

I've been in the I.T (Software) industry professionally for almost 13 years now so thought I'd share my thoughts with you.

It is true (I think) that having a grasp of maths is useful. I enjoyed maths as a kid, and studied pure maths at college (A-level) along with Computing. I went on to study Computing at university, and this worked well for me. When I graduated I started as a developer, and went on to work in a number of different roles. Having a mind which can grapple with maths, formulas, problem solving, is really useful in the programming discipline.

If it is definitely feasible for you to progress to university, I'd say studying computing is a good idea - or something similar. You'll be introduced into the principles of programming lanaguages, OOD, databases, architecture, the software engineering process etc. This will put you in good stead. There will probably be more technical purist degrees, such as computer architecture, which will focus on low-level programming - it really depends what you are looking to do. It might be worth picking up a prospectus for a university, and looking at course profiles. Then look at the prerequisites to that course, and decide to fulfill those prerequisites. Think about what type of developer you want to be - what kind of technical job you would want to be doing in 10 years time. It's worth a thought.

I find employers prefer degree eductated programmers, but that's not to say you MUST have one. You can get lighter qualifications and still get a developer job - in which case studying in your own time will really help during an interview. Employers love to see enthusiasm, as I'm sure you know. Good luck with your current application by the way! 8D

It's hard to understand what your current qualifications are, but as you've been into music production you are probably technically minded. I find programming very similar to maths, in that the priciples of elegance and structure apply. They also apply to music.

I picked up the points in replies saying that modern languages like C# and Java do a lot for you, and they're right. For example, if you want to search through an array for a particular item, whereas years ago you'd knock up your own algorithm and function for this, now you don't have to. However, as has been alluded to, there can be a certain discomfort when you don't really know what the function is doing (binary searches for example) to achieve the result. Laying foundations of knowledge, such as learning about how programming languages evolved to their current point, and learning about algorithm design - will both help you familiarise yourself with the world of programming.

It's worth thinking carefully about your learning strategy - the sequence of events, and not trying to take huge steps at once - but rather gradual ones. I tip my hat to you taking on C++, as this is something I could not face - mind you, I studied C and Java at university, and chose to learn c# due the syntax similarity with Java plus the OO aspect. C++ is a more difficult language to master I think. If you're a total beginner it might be worth starting with C, mastering that, then stepping up to C++.

Anyway, hopefully something I've rambled on about might be useful to you. Feel free to give me a shout about anything - although there are countless people on here with better coding skills and in depth knowledge than I.

Thanks Apoch and Tomalak for your replies.

Tomalak: Your post was a great read, thanks for sharing that with me. I was planning on doing just what you suggested (looking for university courses, checking the requirements, getting those requirements), and I have a careers meeting set up for next week to try and get me onto the right track. I feel like this is all really late in the game to be 'starting' though, since at minimum school will take 5 years until I graduate (I'll be 26), but I'm thinking it's better than plowing along and hoping I can make something of myself solely through self-taught methods. The interview I had went really well, but yeah it was too good to be true. The guy who interviewed me was one of two programmers at the company and was leaving, I figure he didn't think I could take on his duties as well as what I'd be doing there anyway. I suppose this leads nicely onto Apoch's post.

Apoch: Yeah man don't sweat it, my posts have probably seemed really dumb so far. You're right, when you know as much as I do things look pretty similar, but that's only because I really haven't learnt all that much yet. Right now I realize that saying "hey, I can write classes with inheritence!" is pretty abismal, I should really get back to studying more before I try and prove that I know anything to anyone. I am having trouble with learning though, mostly with things that I can't necessarily learn from books eg. code structure. Using a language is going to be a whole different process that I'm guessing can only come with time - hopefully without massive journeys in the complete wrong direction.


Anyway, thanks again to you guys and everyone who posted in this thread. I'll try my best to keep my feet on the ground and I'll see how my careers meeting goes next week.