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Kristina Nelson
4,196 PointsWhat to focus on?
My aim is to be a computer programmer. There is so much to learn about computers that I am overwhelmed. I started learning html and css - and realized that it could take years before I start mastering it.
Do I need to know html and css? Or should I move on to something else in order to be a programmer? And what should that next thing be?
Thanks!
Kristina
6 Answers
Steven Schweibold
7,742 PointsThere is a "Become a Web Developer" learning adventure that will guide you through learning how to make web applications. You can find it here: http://teamtreehouse.com/learning-adventures/become-a-web-developer
Patrick Cooney
12,216 PointsWhoa, Whoa, Whoa! Back up the truck! You didn't even ask the girl what she wants to program. Kristina, when you say computer programmer what do you mean? There are a lot of sub categories within the computer programming field. Do you want to make web apps? Desktop software? Phone apps? Write software for embedded devices? Heck, do you even know what you want to program?
If not I'd say the first step is to figure out which sub-field of programming you'd like to get into. Once you figure that out you will have somewhere to start your learning path.
If you do know, share with us and I'm sure some of us can help guide you in the right direction!
Steven Schweibold
7,742 PointsI think the learning adventure I mentioned does a fine job of covering what is necessary for anyone looking to become a programmer. Even if Kristina wanted to branch off and go a different route, it is very beginner focused and will at least take her through the Intro to Programming and Console Foundations courses.
I would not advise somebody that is struggling to learning HTML/CSS to learn a low level language. In fact, Ruby can used for a wide array of applications and it is featured in the Learning Adventure.
Patrick Cooney
12,216 PointsTelling someone to follow the "Web Developer" track when they have no idea what part of computer programming they want to get into is like telling someone who only knows that they want to go into medicine that they should choose the neurology program. Sure you'll learn the basics of medicine along the way but you'll also learn a bunch of stuff that will be worthless to you if you decide neurology isn't what you want to do.
A better suggestion would have been to start with the 'Intro to Programming' class. 'Console Foundations' is also relatively specialized to web development. Unless you are building your C or C++ programs from the command line you wont use it very often. There is absolutely no reason to learn css and html or even ruby if your end goal is to write a high-frequency (financial) trading program. Yes Ruby is a general purpose language, but just because it can be used for a lot of things doesn't mean it should be.
Start with the basics: 1) Treehouse 'Intro to Programming' course 2) If you can't take a Computer Science course at a community college or other school at least take a look at the self study coursera CS101 class. This will give you a better idea of what's going on with your computer at a more basic level. Every programmer should understand the most basic level.
James Barnett
39,199 PointsThe Become a Web Developer learning adventure is good if you want to learn that and the Become a Mobile Developer learning adventure is good if you want to learn that.
If you want to learn something else, that's outside of Treehouse's niche.
Chase Lee
29,275 PointsI agree with Patrick Cooney. But I also think that learning how to build website is something key to figure out what you really want to do.
You may think you want to go in to something harder like ios, but then after realizing how difficult it is to just program in HTML, (not that it is hard, but just for an example), you might want to stick with something easier.
I would say take the course that Steven Schweibold suggested then go in to PHP and/or Ruby.
Kristina Nelson
4,196 PointsI started looking up and researching several things - web applications, phone apps, software for embedded devices...and from just browsing, the web application route seemed the most appealing.
I'm an artist by trade, creative, technical....it would be nice to go in a direction where there is some kind of creative element to it that allows me to learn the technical side, master that,....and then get creative in making new things.
My favorite thing to do is to create things. Does that help at all in guiding me where to go in the computer world?
Patrick Cooney
12,216 PointsThis article titled "Unicorn, Shmunicorn: Be a Pegasus" is worth a read. It outlines the case, and makes some good points, for separating the designer from the developer. Obviously you can do both if you want to. It sounds like you'd be more interested in web design than development though. There is still a technical aspect to web design due to the expectation in a lot of situations that you will be able to write the CSS, HTML and Javascript to recreate your photoshop mockup in the browser.
Kristina Nelson
4,196 PointsYes, the article was good. I'm realizing I can't learn it all. Though I want to.
Jah Chaisang
7,157 PointsKristina,
Perhaps you should focus and scale down your goal to something more specific manageable. Rather than "becoming a computer programmer", consider "being able to build a simple website" or "being able to write a simple web application, like a to-do list". With more focused goal, you can design a learning path to achieve it. You don't have to learn or know everything to achieve these simple goals, only have to learn a few necessary things.
Also, consider why do you want to be a programmer after all? Do you enjoy programming? Do you like web industry? Are you good at programming compared to your peers? If you say yes to all of the above, it shouldn't take years to learn html and css (otherwise, it wouldn't be possible for average graduates to get a job after 4 years in college). If you say no to some, you have to reevaluate your career choice. My guess is that you have the heart and the brain (at least you have accomplished something from your course history), but feel overwhelmed just because the world wide web is really freaking wide. If that's the case, just keep at it as hard as you can and things will eventually fall into places.
Kristina Nelson
4,196 PointsThanks Jah. Good suggestion. I'll just keep plowing ahead.
Kristina Nelson
4,196 PointsThanks for all the suggestions. I truly appreciate them!
Kristina Nelson
4,196 PointsKristina Nelson
4,196 PointsThanks. I'll watch it!