How to Be a Programmer

Unlike other engineering disciplines, to become a programmer you don't need to graduate from a university program. You can even do it as a hobby and knowledge of mathematics is not a prerequisite. But as a beginner, it's essential you have logical reasoning skills, extensive knowledge of the language syntax and a willingness to sit in front of a computer for many hours. You also need to be a team player.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Software Development Environment

1. Determine your programmer personality type by taking an online test. Look for tests based on Myers-Briggs model due to their credibility. Doolwind's Game Coding Site offers one you can take for free.
2. Find out what programming languages are out there, what software niche they address and determine which ones attract you the most.
3. Visit Amazon's website and enter the programming language you want to gain specialization in and browse the book titles that turn up. By reading the introduction and the customer reviews, you can judge which are best suited for beginners.
4. Read, read, read! Complement your study with programming exercises that can also teach you debugging.
5. Hang out with software programmers who have been programming longer than you. Subscribe to a Yahoo group, read their comments in blogs or join a professional association for IT professionals.
6. Become a software apprentice. Working under the supervision of an experienced programmer will increase your learning curve dramatically. The Internet is full of articles that can give advice.
7. Start reading books on software design. Learn the software design life cycle. You will need a software development environment for any in-depth programming.
8. Take an online course and become certified. Use the Internet or the local library as your guide.

Tips & Warnings

• Most books on programming languages come with a CD with programming examples.