[Kaveri123]

Hi
Can someone with no engineering or computer science background become a developer

[roachmmflhyr]

Kaveri123, on 14 March 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:

Hi
Can someone with no engineering or computer science background become a developer

Sure you can. This is a great place for starters. I learned Java from this book http://www.mindview.net/Books/TIJ/

I also recommend looking through the extensive list of tutorials here:
http://www.dreaminco...ming-tutorials/

[pbl]

Yes, I mean no need to get the background from school. A god book will do

[roachmmflhyr]

There are tons of books on Amazon that will get you started. Some books as low as $5. Maybe even cheaper.

[Kaveri123]

Ok...then if someone can become a developer without a computer science or engineering background, how would he or she be different from someone with a computer science or engineering background.

[macosxnerd101]

*Moved to Student Campus*

The main difference with CS and non-CS folks is the theory. CS majors hit hard on the theory, like data structures, algorithms, AI, more math, etc. Non-CS people pick up programming from a more practical perspective. That being said, there are a lot of CS people that can't code, and a lot of non-CS people that are quite skilled at programming. Some of our experts even fall amongst the latter category.

[Kaveri123]

Hi "macosxnerd"

That's really interesting to hear. So do you think I should not waste my time learning a computer science degree (when I already have a degree and master's in English), and directly learn programming. And in the mean time read about data structures, algorithms, AI from the Internet.

Will a certification like SCJP still hold value without a computer science or engineering degree? Or will it look like a half-clothed man

[mostyfriedman]

I know someone who has graduated with a degree in medicine and now works at microsoft. I also know a guy who graduated from pharmacy and now works at Nokia.

[Nakor]

I didn't graduate high school, did get the GED though, and I'm working as a developer. I am going back to school now to get a degree but I'd have to say a degree is not absolutely necessary, they just help a lot.

[zentao]

I graduated 15 years ago with a Psychology degree. I have worked in IT for 13 years as a developer and now I am an Integration consultant and e-commerce expert.

I actually found that not having a CS background has been beneficial. Lets face it most work is done commercially for individual businesses. Being able to relate to the people you meet, understand the business process you are working on, is more important these days than being able to code some logarithm.

Don't see the lack of a CS background as a disadvantage - see what you have as a point of difference.

J

[Craig328]

I'll chime in with: I've been doing web app development for the past 12+ years and I'm the proud holder of an honours degree in History. In fact, once you have more than 4-5 years experience, you'll discover that there isn't much difference between those with a degree and those without when it comes to skill level.

zentao, on 16 March 2011 - 03:43 AM, said:

...most work is done commercially for individual businesses. Being able to relate to the people you meet, understand the business process you are working on, is more almost as important these days than being able to code some logarithm.

This would be entirely dependent upon how much your particular job requires you to interact with others. There's lots of brilliant code folks who are abysmally socially stunted people but whose quality of work carry them entirely. To the other extreme you find people who can "talk a good game" but when it comes time to churn out a competent product, have to make excuse after excuse.

[e-papa]

I think the course studied does not matter, the will to learn is important I know of someone who studied sociology and is now into IT, I learnt the little I know so far in python on my own, using books from different guys, with so many books at disposal you can go into anything you want to if you are ready to learn, My lecturer once told me the course I'm studying is a prostitute course and that I had to buckle up else someone who studied language arts will be a guru, and I might be no where to be found.