redfiretruck

Hey, I am a bit confused at this point on what I should learn/when I should learn it .

What I mean is that my college I'll be going to has Visual Basic ONLY as a class... As far as knowledge for VB, I have just enough to print a label change some text and add some text. I know most of the interface and some of the special commands, but no real special amazing stuff... Is this enough? I mean, it is only 2 classes and it is just for my AA. I want to be as ready as possible since I don't know how good at programming I am, and don't wanna get left behind from the other people (not to mention I'm 16 and going to be taking classes that 19-20 year olds have problems with).

But here is my problem, I am not interested in Visual Basic . I am interested in C/C++, in fact I've already started reading books/doing tutorials for C. But I am afraid that if I spend all my time on C, I won't be prepared enough to even finish my vb classes X_X. Should I be worried about that? More importantly, how hard are those classes typically? Also, if possible I'd like to know at what point I will probably know when I'm done . I'd rather have learn it whenever I want stuff right now than have to be stressed and work hard in class . I know I am a nervous and anxious kid but I HATE not knowing and hate not being ready X_X.

Ancient Dragon

Are you attending a junior college? Your goal should be to get a bachelors degree so if you are at a jc then you should only take courses that can be transferred to a 4 year college. Talk to your college counseler (yes jc's have them too) and find out which classes can be transferred.

If you are already attending a 4 year college -- quit. Run, don't walk, to a different college as soon as possibe.

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Sorrofix

In my opinion, learning a programming language isn't nearly as important as learning how to program. Background courses like Computer Science that actually teach you the theory behind programming are far more beneficial to someone aspiring to be a professional programmer. Programming languages themselves are nothing more than a bunch of keywords and symbols that are applied using a certain syntax.

In short, if your college offers courses like Computer Science and perhaps even some computer hardware courses, I'd recommend taking those and just forget about Visual Basic. If your college doesn't even offer that, find a different college -- you're wasting your time.

redfiretruck

HAH, that's funny xD. Ya, I am going to go to a JC (one my family goes to and my parents work at so transportation is awesome ). Tuition is free cuz I'm in high school and my sis is cool with paying for my books ^_^.

Anyway, I know about college counselors and my family knows about a really cool guy who will set me up as long as I tell him what college I want to transfer to (Probably a cal-state. Where? I'm looking them up atm xD) and what I want to advance in... As far as my goal, I would really like a Masters in Computer Science... I have a family able to help, and I hope I am smart/able enough .

To SorroFix, I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. What I would like to know, if possible, is how do you know if you are or gunna be a good programmer? I mean, I have a great memory, ability to learn math , and I'd like to say I can think and type pretty fast/accurately. More importantly, do you think anyone (if devoted enough) would be able to learn how to program well?

Uhh... As far as CS, All the ones that I have seen are CS 101 - Visual Basic or Java or HTML or CSS or PHP. There is one CS that I have to take which is for Networking Hardware. But I haven't really taken that HUGE of a look. What type of CS classes are you talking about? O_o.


-- Btw... I'm not actually IN College yet . I'm PLANNING on going to college this fall season, (3-4 months or something away), But it is REALLY lenient considering I'm only 16 . --

Sorrofix

> how do you know if you are or gunna be a good programmer?

Well, you don't need to be a super-genius at math or anything. In general, you just need to be able to think logically, have patience, and always be ready to learn more. It also depends on what type of programming you're going into; obviously game development would require more of a background in math. If you have some idea of what field of programming you want to go into, make sure to keep your options open.

> More importantly, do you think anyone (if devoted enough)
> would be able to learn how to program well?

I think if you really want to be able to do something badly enough, you probably will be able to. It might be easy, it might take a really long time, but if you're dedicated, and that's what you really want to do, you'll be able to do it. Programming is no exception, and you'll be able to learn it if you put your mind to it.

> What type of CS classes are you talking about?

Oh yeah, I guess programming does fall under Computer Science. But yeah, I'd say taking anything to do with the theory of programming, like data structures, algorithms, software engineering, etc.