So you want to be a programmer
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The document provides an introduction to programming, discussing what programming is, common myths, how to get started, choosing a language, necessary tools, the importance of writing code, collaborating with other programmers, and concluding that making mistakes is how one becomes clever in programming. It outlines fundamental concepts to understand like algorithms and data structures, recommends starting with a desktop, web, or mobile language like Java, C#, PHP, or C++, and emphasizes the importance of writing and debugging code as the best way to learn.
So you want to be a programmer
- 1. Oyebisi Oluwabusayo Daniel odoyebisi@ieee.org
- 2. To be covered What is Programming? Programming myths Where to get started? Pick a language and learn it The tools of the trade Write code!!! Write more code!!! Hangout with other programmers Conclusion
- 3. What is Programming? Programming is instructing a computer to do something for you with the help of a programming language. An art?? A craft?? Or an engineering discipline??
- 4. Programming Myths Programmers are born not made You have to be a Maths guru You have to study Computer Science My favorite programming language is better than yours
- 5. Where to get started Read up on fundamental computer science concepts Algorithms Data Structures (int, tree, array) Programming Paradigms
- 6. Pick a language and learn it One at a time Choose a platform Desktop?? Web?? Mobile?? Which one brings the highest ROI? The popular suspects Java, C#, PHP, C++
- 7. The tools of the trade Editors Text Editor (notepad) Integrated Development Environment Source code management Code backup Collaboration Examples are github, and mercurial
- 8. Write Code!!! The only real way to learn to program is to program Calm down! It is not rocket science Learn how to debug Quality matters Trial-and-error
- 9. Write More Code!!! Your first real program (i.e. one that actually does something people might want) Take time to plan S.M.A.R.T. Keep It Stupidly Simple (KISS)
- 10. Hangout with other programmers ‘Do not live entirely inside your head’ Programming forums Open source community Participate Contribute
- 11. Conclusion You’ll become clever by your mistakes – German Proverb