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I've learned java well, and python to a lesser degree. Lately, last few months, I've been doing project tutorials in JavaFx, swing, lwjgl, libgdx, android, pygame. I want to learn python hacking and c++ and unity.

I'm not set on any particular subfield, but I live in Israel and they don't post jobs for less than 3 years experience, so I just try to keep learning more, and doing more project tutorials.

I've actually started in 2013 with c++ and php, I've dabbled in java and android since then, but never managed to get to building my own projects and showing employers 3 years worth of experience. Now I've been at it diligently for over a year.

Just wondering if learning as many languages and libraries as possible is a good strategy? I'm not really in a hurry to find a job, and and expect to be working on my current tutorials for many months or more.

What I have tried:

Everything. That's why I'm asking.
Posted
Updated 5-Oct-20 13:55pm

Quote:
What to learn after the basics?

My canned answer for this kind of questions.
You have to know that you can do pretty much anything in any language, simply some languages are harder for beginners because there is more pitfalls to handle.
You need to master a set of techniques that are the basis of the job and are not linked to a language.

Advices:
- Start with an easy/safe language: VB, Java, C#, not C or C++. I do not recommend to start with Python either because of the usage of indentation.
- Read documentation / Follow tutorials (a lot of them)
- Start with tiny/useless projects, the purpose is to learn programming, not doing something useful.
- Start with console mode programs (no fancy graphics, no mouse)
- Learn debugger (an incredible learning tool)
Debugger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[^]
Mastering Debugging in Visual Studio 2010 - A Beginner's Guide[^]
- A problem ? Google is your friend.
- Learn one or more analyze methods, E.W. Djikstra/N. Wirth Stepwize Refinement/top-Down method is a good start.
Structured Programming.pdf[^]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-down_and_bottom-up_design[^]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_programming[^]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsger_W._Dijkstra[^]
https://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/EWD/ewd03xx/EWD316.PDF[^]
Program Development by Stepwise Refinement[^]
- Learn Algorithms and Data-Structures.
GitHub - The-Art-of-Computer-Programming-Books: "Everyday life is like programming, I guess. If you love something you can put beauty into it." ? Donald E. Knuth[^]
- Learn Boole algebra
- Learn SQL
- Learn Databases design and Administration
Introduction to database design[^]
1NF, 2NF, 3NF and BCNF in Database Normalization | DBMS Tutorial | Studytonight[^]
- Learn Regular Expressions

Interesting link:
stanford.edu: Learn to Program[^]
CodersLegacy - Imparting knowledge to the Future[^]

There is no shortcut to knowledge, no one can learn for you, you are the only one that can do it.
Remember the exercises and little projects are not here to make something useful, they are here to teach you programming.

My most important part is probably: Learn one or more analyze methods.
 
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Comments
raddevus 5-Oct-20 17:13pm    
Great points and resources. thanks
CoderBryGuy 5-Oct-20 20:01pm    
Advices:
- Start with an easy/safe language: VB, Java, C#, not C or C++. I do not recommend to start with Python either because of the usage of indentation.
- Read documentation / Follow tutorials (a lot of them)


Thank you for the advice, but I'm really past all that beginner stuff. I know Java, and a good bit of Python as of right now.

I used to know C++ really well in 2013. I read two text books on c++, including the one written by Stroustrup. But then I couldn't figure out the compiler for the graphics section. I also tried to add more math the graphics that just complicated the problem and had to give up 2/3s through the Stroustrup text book. Then I took a course on PHP.But again, look at word press under the hood, and nothing makes sense, just because I learned to build a simple website with a PHP/mySQL back end. I forgot that language too since then. I also learned JS and forgot that. I took a course in java/android with also short sections on web design, and ios/swift. I was going through depression and didn't do anything with after the course.

I got frustrated and stopped to get the CCNA, and never got a job in that either.

But these books like Learn Java don't really tell you how to make a project. That's nice I understand how inheritance works, and polymorphism, collections, generics. That doesn't tell me the first thing about how to start building an email client. And general java concepts are not going to get my an interview either. The first c++ book which I finished all the chapters, ended on something like inheritance, and ended saying you know everything you need to go out into the world of programming now.

I have since taken a tutorial on building an email client in javafx and javax.mail. And that's where I am at. Just doing as many project tutorials as possible right now. Most Java gaming, but also some Python, and I want to do one on C++ and unity, but I'm not sure if just building projects in tons of different languages is helpful. Maybe I should just stay focused on a specific area of Java like Android? Or maybe I should just learn as many libraries as possible in a single language? I really don't know. But I've spent 7 years on this, and am really not sure.
It all depends on what skills are in demand. Research the local market to see what employers are looking for and try to focus on those subjects. You can sometimes get intern jobs, which are basically trainee positions, but can lead to full employment. Also talk to recruitment agencies to see if they can help to guide you.
 
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