[WolfCoder]

AdamSpeight2008, on 28 April 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:

WTF! The lounge has gone non-satirical on a topic, that's the point where I leave.

Eh, whatever we feel like being at the moment.

[Celerian]

1. When did you first realize you wanted to go into computer programming?

It must have been around age 10 or so that I really knew that I wanted to be a programmer. At the time, I was probably a good year or so into my love affair with Diablo 1 and I wanted to become a video game programmer for Blizzard.


2. After you realized this, what did you do to prepare yourself for computer programming?
My dad introduced me to my first programming language, QBASIC, and gave me a book of tutorials. He also provided me with a big Video Game Programming Book with C++ and DirectX 6 or something archaic like that. I didn't have any formal training until High School when they started a computer programming course. I had to drop some AP courses and band in order to take that class, but I really wanted to learn how to program.


3. What type of training or schooling did you have to complete in order to do computer programming?
The programming course in high school was a 2 year course, 3 periods a day. We had a good mix of regular projects and "fun" projects. The students who got done faster could take on more of the "fun" projects, which usually involved more advanced concepts.

After high school, I went to college, majoring in computer information systems. To get a bachelor's degree, I was in college for 3 years non-stop.


4. How much time did it take to complete the training/schooling associated with computer programming?
Altogether, I guess we could say that I had 5 years of academic programming.


5. What is the best part of computer programming?
I love solving problems and puzzles. To me, programming is just like solving puzzles in order to accomplish a task. And accomplishing the task at hand, usually allows you access to a new challenge.


6. If you could change anything about computer programming, what would it be and why?
It doesn't bother me too much, but many programmers are very elitist. They latch on to a language and feel that their choice is the only way to solve a problem and everyone else is wrong. I'd love to see this elitist attitude disappear for good. I suppose that won't happen until there is a real intuitive solution for being able to use multiple languages all together in the same compiler in order to solve one project. Unified Markup Syntax or something.


7. What suggestions could you give to high school students who are interested in the computer programming field?
Read, Read, Read. Pick up a language and do tutorials. Ask questions. Do more tutorials. Read more.


8. How does a typical day for you go in computer programming?
A typical day varies depending on your environment. When I worked with a team, my only job was to come in, work on my part of the program, and maybe assist some of the other coders. Where I work now, I do everything from general hardware/software troubleshooting to database admin to programming, so my days vary often.


9. Could you tell me about one your most interesting memories from computer programming?
Normally, solving a hard problem or learning something new is interesting to yourself for about 2 days after its done. And then you put that information in your pocket and use it again and again and again, and then someone asks you this question and you realize that all those little things that were interesting are now mundane. Everything is interesting until it's not anymore. No one will ever be as excited about something you've learned as much as you are.


10. Aside from schooling/training, what does it take to do computer programming? (i.e. kind heart, strong stomach, etc.)
You have to be prepared to take criticism. People will tell you that you aren't a real programmer because you use a different language than them. Someone will always make you feel behind the curve or behind the times. You have to know how to not get discouraged, and use their criticism to make yourself better.


11. What is the hardest part of being/becoming a computer programmer?
The moments where you get stuck on a problem for days and you want to pull your hair out.


12. What are some benefits of being a computer programmer?
Solving the problem you've been having that causes you to want to pull your hair out.

13. Who do you work with as a computer programmer?
Currently I work with a bunch of electronic engineers and management people. I have worked with small coding groups before. Again, this depends on your environment.

14. How much does a computer programmer get paid?
This changes pretty drastically depending on where you live. Opening average salary around my area is anywhere from $35000 - $50000 a year.

15. How often do you work in your free time? Is it for fun?
I work a little in my free time. Sometimes this is difficult since I have two kids and there are a lot of hobbies that I have.


16. How much do you love being a computer programmer?
I love being a computer programmer. Sometimes its frustrating, sometimes its rewarding. Know when your environment is working for you or against you.

[BenignDesign]

1. When did you first realize you wanted to go into computer programming?
Halfway through my first semester of college as a music education major.

2. After you realized this, what did you do to prepare yourself for computer programming?
Used my financial aid refund to buy a Compaq Presario desktop machine.

3. What type of training or schooling did you have to complete in order to do computer programming?
I have my degree in computer science.

4. How much time did it take to complete the training/schooling associated with computer programming?
Longer than it should have.

5. What is the best part of computer programming?
The chicks.

6. If you could change anything about computer programming, what would it be and why?
Find a way to spend less time sitting while still accomplishing something worthwhile.... because getting fit/staying fit is a pain when all you do is sit on your rear for days on end.

7. What suggestions could you give to high school students who are interested in the computer programming field?
Portfolio, portfolio, portfolio.

8. How does a typical day for you go in computer programming?
Wake up, take dogs out, shower, get dressed, get the kids up, feed everyone, pack lunches, dress everyone, scream for a few minutes in a panic of last minute madness, drop the kids at school, drive to work, turn on laptop, login to the system, check email, write code, go to lunch, check email, write code, drive to daycare, pick up kids, drive home, take dogs out, make dinner, wash dishes, do laundry, yell at kids to get showers, read a couple chapters in my book du jour, take dogs out, get ready for bed, sleep, repeat. Thrilling, no?

9. Could you tell me about one your most interesting memories from computer programming?
Anytime it works right on the first try, it is a memorable moment.

10. Aside from schooling/training, what does it take to do computer programming? (i.e. kind heart, strong stomach, etc.)
Self-discipline, love of routine, logic, math skills, the ability to multitask, belief in unicorns, trolls, dragons, and faeries.

11. What is the hardest part of being/becoming a computer programmer?
Self-discipline.

12. What are some benefits of being a computer programmer?
The ability to work within an institution for years and still have co-workers who have no idea who you are.

13. Who do you work with as a computer programmer?
Everyone and no one all at once.

14. How much does a computer programmer get paid?
The average programmer or me specifically? This question is simultaneously vague and personal. It really depends on how much of your soul you're willing to sell.

15. How often do you work in your free time? Is it for fun?
Too often. No.

16. How much do you love being a computer programmer?
Short of singing and dancing character parts on Broadway, coding ranks at the top of my list of things I prefer doing for money.

This post has been edited by BenignDesign: 30 April 2012 - 07:45 AM

[lordofduct]

Another music major I've met (even if only virtually) who turned to programming.

They say music is math for artists... so I guess my 'math makes a good programmer' stance still hold.

[nK0de]

BenignDesign, on 30 April 2012 - 08:12 PM, said:

5. What is the best part of computer programming?
The chicks.

chicks? what chicks?

[modi123_1]

From what I heard, there is a minimum of at least one chick in BenignDesign's bed each night when BenignDesign goes to sleep.

[h4nnib4l]

That's so hot...

[BenignDesign]

Really it's more disturbing than anything... she's all saggy and full of wobbly bits in her old age. Between the wrinkles on her forehead and the floppy skin on her ass, it's hard to tell which end is up. It's a shame really... she was a pretty little thing in her younger years.

[h4nnib4l]

That's so hot?

[BenignDesign]

You can decide for yourself, I suppose...

Spoiler

She's a little gray around the muzzle, but still cute as a button.

This post has been edited by BenignDesign: 30 April 2012 - 11:58 AM

[jon.kiparsky]

Damn, you've got the chick, you've got a bitch, and you've got your boobies. You've got a damned zoo in there!

[BenignDesign]

You forgot the wild monkeys on a sugar high.

[modi123_1]

Wild Stallions perhaps, but I refuse to deal with 'Sugar High' if it's not from Coyote Shivers.

Spoiler

[no2pencil]

BenignDesign, on 30 April 2012 - 10:42 AM, said:

11. What is the hardest part of being/becoming a computer programmer?
Self-discipline.

Post 31...

[BenignDesign]

My point exactly.