Looking to become a web programmer

Senior Member Joined: May 11 2010 Posts: 129

I am interested in becoming a web programmer. I am very good with computers and enjoy these things immensely, so I want to put my talents to use and become a professional web/ computer programmer. Is anybody here familiar with the process? I do not have a problem going to an online school for a year or two.

Gold Member Joined: Aug 20 2007 Posts: 1308

Senior Member Joined: May 11 2010 Posts: 129

Thank you so much, bluebird! I have watched some tutorials on that site in the past, and I am in the middle of watching a SQL 2005 tutorial on a different website. I guess that should give me the basic startoff. I do want to have a more comprehensive understanding of exactly how these things work and everything that's possible to get done, but first things first.

I take it from your answer that you are a programmer yourself. Are you self employed? Could I ask you how much I could expect to be earning once I really get to know the stuff well?

Diamond Member Joined: May 24 2007 Posts: 4621

I'm a web programmer.
I did get a degree in computer science years ago but in this field everything changes and I keep learning new things and more languages by googling and trying things out.
Iv'e been doing web programming for over 10 years.

Senior Member Joined: May 11 2010 Posts: 129

Thanks e. How much schooling did you do to get the degree? I have never attended any college.

Executive Member Joined: Jun 12 2009 Posts: 494

I'd recommend focusing on the coding part of things. Lots of people say that "they're good with computers" when they mean that they are power Word / Excel etc. users and Web surfers. Being good at programming takes much more than that. Do you like math or logic puzzles? I'd recommend learning any language, to understand the way of thinking and then it's much easier to learn a second one.

Here's an intro to programming series in JavaScript (note their recommendation in the last article against W3Schools, though they are quite useful)
http://lifehacker.com/#!5736011/learn-how-to-code-part-I-variables-and-basic-data-types

Overall, you have to learn

edit - fixed link

Senior Member Joined: May 11 2010 Posts: 129

Thanks questioner. I have always enjoyed math and logic puzzles, but haven't really had a chance to get too advanced. I do work with the programming of our website at work now and I am the one that does the minor corrections and requests the more complicated ones from our programmer (that's without any training), so I am basically aware of what it entails and quite sure that this will be something that I would enjoy.

If you are a programmer, did you basically acquire the skill by watching tutorials online and testing it for yourself? How long did it take till you were able to do work for others?

Diamond Member Joined: May 24 2007 Posts: 4621

Senior Member Joined: May 11 2010 Posts: 129

Did you teach programming as a private course? I am thinking maybe something like this would be all that I need.

Diamond Member Joined: May 24 2007 Posts: 4621

I taught in maalot and I have taught people privately.

Practice is the most important

Gold Member Joined: Aug 20 2007 Posts: 1308

Gold Member Joined: Jul 03 2006 Posts: 1148

I am a software engineer/computer programmer and got my degree from Maalot in Israel.
Where are you located? there are a lot of short programmers for learning programming. I work in a mid size corporation and I would say the spectrum of education goes from a masters degree to COPE certificate. In the IT world how good you are and years experienced is more important then education.

Gold Member Joined: Jul 03 2006 Posts: 1148

I will add that the starting salary range around here (NY/NJ) seems to be more in the 30-50 range. Once you're in a company it is generally slower moving up in salary then if you switch jobs.

Senior Member Joined: May 11 2010 Posts: 129

Gold Member Joined: Jul 03 2006 Posts: 1148

I would have to ask my friends which ones are still running. But for starters, there is a women in Lakewood (Mrs. Klein) who gives a reputable programming course.