I have always been interested in programming and coding and have a few great website ideas and a couple of great apps in mind. I want to become certified in website design and programming but I'm trying to figure out what to do. I am only 21 so I have a good amount of time to learn (planning to learn and master coding until I get too old to remember) but I not sure if if should take a 12 month full time programming certification program at the community college up the street from my house (close so convenient and actually a very good cc - CCRI), or get certified online (w3.com, teamtreehouse.com). My goal is to create amazing websites for people who want to start something, and develop apps.
And any other advice would be greatly appreciated, such as what you wish you did or didn't do early on and such. I'm trying to take in as much as I can and taking notes of everything
My personal input. Everyone learns differently. Whether you choose online training or a classroom setting or even getting how-to books from a local bookstore or the library, that will ultimately have to be your choice..
My personal input. Everyone learns differently. Whether you choose online training or a classroom setting or even getting how-to books from a local bookstore or the library, that will ultimately have to be your choice..
Well I would do both if I could to expand my knowledge but my concern is if getting certified for programming languages both online and offline would just be pointless/a waste of money. And what certifications are required to actually make a career out of it
Well I would do both if I could to expand my knowledge but my concern is if getting certified for programming languages both online and offline would just be pointless/a waste of money. And what certifications are required to actually make a career out of it
Quite honestly different places require/recommend certain certs. So figure out what programming language you really enjoy or are good at, get certified in that, then build from there.. Then when you are looking for a job you can state you are knowledgeable in x langauge but also have some knowledge of y language.. The job I just got (not in the computer field), when interviewed I was asked what experience I could bring to the table. I was upfront with them by saying I have a little experience in these areas, but no strengths in any one area. By doing that I was given the opportunity of working for the company.
I will probably get a lot of grief from saying this, there are a lot of people certified in different things that don't have a clue. Pick up a study guide, pass the test... hey I'm certified, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, they can't do the work. For instance, I have seen people get ACE certified, but not have a clue what a ZIF socket is. just saying.
Personally I wouldn't go near a book on programming, whether web or native, or a classroom for that matter. Technology just moves way too fast. Then again I learned by reading (free) tutorials online, and now some videos on Youtube so I'm probably a little biased. In my IT Essentials class, we are going through a book that was just made in 2010. Some of the info in it is already outdated.
Even though technology moves incredibly fast, I suppose you have to start somewhere. So if you really learn best with a teacher and books be prepared to disregard what you learn almost as fast as you learn it. The greatest skill any developer can possess is the ability to adapt.
__________________ Coding is a challenge, get used to it Always remember to debug Try the guess & check method Break it down into simple steps
Personally I wouldn't go near a book on programming, whether web or native, or a classroom for that matter. Technology just moves way too fast. Then again I learned by reading (free) tutorials online, and now some videos on Youtube so I'm probably a little biased. In my IT Essentials class, we are going through a book that was just made in 2010. Some of the info in it is already outdated.
Even though technology moves incredibly fast, I suppose you have to start somewhere. So if you really learn best with a teacher and books be prepared to disregard what you learn almost as fast as you learn it. The greatest skill any developer can possess is the ability to adapt.
Good advice, thanks. I'm thinking of just getting certified for html5/CSS/JavaScript on w3.com or teamtreehouse then create my own stuff and practice/experiment for a while
Good advice, thanks. I'm thinking of just getting certified for html5/CSS/JavaScript on w3.com or teamtreehouse then create my own stuff and practice/experiment for a while
I'd say pick a side if you're looking to get hired (vs doing the hiring;i.e starting your own business). I've always believed its better to be exceptional at one thing than to be decent at a few. If you like designing, focus on CSS. If you like programming (client-side that is) focus on Javascript and HTML.
Then again if you practice on your own (Which you should), you're going to WANT to pretty everything up with CSS. That's my advice anyway, take it for what it's worth. I'm nowhere near the level of skill of some of the guys here.
If you really want to be certified in all three then go do it. Nothing wrong with that.
__________________ Coding is a challenge, get used to it Always remember to debug Try the guess & check method Break it down into simple steps
I think this is difficult for anyone to answer. I learnt online whilst working at it. I don't regret my choice.
I would imagine that anyone that learned in a college would say that was the best way to do it.
You should really focus on your own personality. Can you sit alone learning this stuff in a small room at home? Do you learn (survive!) better in a group environment?
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I've been making animations for my daughter. Tell me what you think!
I think this is difficult for anyone to answer. I learnt online whilst working at it. I don't regret my choice.
I would imagine that anyone that learned in a college would say that was the best way to do it.
You should really focus on your own personality. Can you sit alone learning this stuff in a small room at home? Do you learn (survive!) better in a group environment?
I can do both, but there are perks to both also. In a classroom you have a bunch of other students learning the exact same material so you can partner up if you need someone to help you out. Also, you can ask the teacher specific questions, but the price of college courses are really high (9000$ including books for a 12 month full time Comp Programming degree). And in online courses i can pause and go back as much as i need to, and its way more cost efficient (95$ a course on w3schools.com)
I can do both, but there are perks to both also. In a classroom you have a bunch of other students learning the exact same material so you can partner up if you need someone to help you out. Also, you can ask the teacher specific questions, but the price of college courses are really high (9000$ including books for a 12 month full time Comp Programming degree). And in online courses i can pause and go back as much as i need to, and its way more cost efficient (95$ a course on w3schools.com)
If you can do both, I'd recommend learning on your own time at home. But like I said, I might be a bit biased. Also the perks of learning in a classroom you listed are null points. Forums like this were made for that exact reason. So anyone learning to develop could get help and find answers to their questions. With so many members it's also like having hundreds of teachers at your disposal.
Last by not least don't get a certificate from w3schools. In my opinion learning from them isn't entirely bad, but I wouldn't recommend a certificate from them. They seem to have a bad rep with a lot of professional web developers, and aren't industry recognized.
__________________ Coding is a challenge, get used to it Always remember to debug Try the guess & check method Break it down into simple steps
If you can do both, I'd recommend learning on your own time at home. But like I said, I might be a bit biased. Also the perks of learning in a classroom you listed are null points. Forums like this were made for that exact reason. So anyone learning to develop could get help and find answers to their questions. With so many members it's also like having hundreds of teachers at your disposal.
Last by not least don't get a certificate from w3schools. In my opinion learning from them isn't entirely bad, but I wouldn't recommend a certificate from them. They seem to have a bad rep with a lot of professional web developers, and aren't industry recognized.
Good to know and great advice, this forum is helping me out. Where would you recommend getting certified?
If you want to do web development then yes start with HTML and CSS. HTML is the bones of web development. CSS isn't as important as it is more like the skin of it all. As for web programming either way you go isn't bad. I started with PHP and then moved onto Javascript, but I know many people who did the exact opposite.
If you are going into a native programming field C++ (as far as I know) is much better suited for game development specifically. Any way you choose to go, whether from C++ to PHP, or Javascript to C++, just know they all have similar syntax. Once you learn one programming language it becomes a lot easier to learn others.
__________________ Coding is a challenge, get used to it Always remember to debug Try the guess & check method Break it down into simple steps
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