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Hi!
I'm a 16 yr programmer, and I am looking for some advice for my future.
I basically want to know: what industry is going to prosper in the future and will be worth investing my time in right now. Meaning, what things should I start learning know and start gaining experience in, so I can be more prepared for a job, as well as know that my time isn't going in vain.
I'm really passionate about making games (Worked with Unity3D and XNA with C#) and (My #1 Choice)I am extremely passionate about C/Linux/Embedded Programming. And I'm not so fond of web programming. These are my preferences, but you guys know much more than me, so please advice.
Also, please tell me the technologies/languages I should start learning that will prosper with the industry you recommend. I am really looking forward to your advice.
Thanks!
PS: If you are interested in knowing what I've worked with before, here it goes: C#, VB, Unity3D, XNA, ASP.NET, HTML, JAVA, JavaScript, Android, WP7, Desktop, Graphic Design, and what not. I've tried a lot of things but have moved on to try out new things. For instance, I gave up Unity3D because I didn't know how to make 3D models. I gave XNA because it was too complex to just load a 3D texture, never mind interacting with it. I never worked with Embedded programming because the starter kit's were too expensive. 
"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson "Why is it drug addicts and computer afficionados are both called users?" - Clifford Stoll
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Pathachiever wrote: I basically want to know: what industry is going to prosper in the future
If we could answer a question like that we would all be millionaires. It's impossible to tell what industry will prosper next week let alone beyond that. The only way you can decide which way to go is to look around your local area to see what jobs are being offered and try to learn the skills that would help you there. But, remember those jobs may all be filled by the time you have reached the right skill level.
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Pathachiever wrote: I'm really passionate about making games
I don't see the gaming industry growing much larger than to is now. However if you want to prepare for it Linear algebra would be something you need to be very familiar with.
Pathachiever wrote: Also, please tell me the technologies/languages
Doesn't matter at all, being a great developer/programmer is about the ability to solve a given problem, what language and technologies you use is of no consequence. If you become a great developer, but have only ever used C# it'll take you no more than one week to pick up 2-4 other managed languages, even picking up a lower level language like C or C++ wouldn't a be tough job.
What I suggest you do is to only use one language the next 2-3 years, like for example C#. You start by getting a good book for introducing yourself to C# and while you read it you do all the exercises. Once you're through that book, I would suggest you begin to really understand Object Oriented Programming and Design Patterns, this would most likely be covered somewhat in the C# book, but far from enough.
Google is a good resource, but if you want some book suggestions, then I'm told that
http://www.amazon.com/Object-Oriented-Thought-Process-Matt-Weisfeld/dp/0672330164/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317973674&sr=1-1[^] is a great book.
Also I see http://www.amazon.com/Design-Patterns-Elements-Reusable-Object-Oriented/dp/0201633612[^] by the Gang of Four as a must have.
What ever you do when you look for books, do not buy any book that tells you it'll teach you something in XY days, personally I take great offence to such books, because everyone learn at a different rate, so the only way I see the author can ensure that the estimates holds would be by leaving out some of the tougher details.
To summarize the next 2-3 years
1) Stick to one and only one language, like for example C#
2) Become comfortable and proficient with OOP
3) Know your design patterns
4) Don't read "in XY days"-books.
My number one dev tool? Google
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You are 100% correct. Now I see why I haven't been able to progres. I never spent enough time on a single platform. All I did was learn it and move on.
Now I will try to keep my focus only on C#, and try go get more than just fundementals.
Thanks for your advice; I really appreciate it.
"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson "Why is it drug addicts and computer afficionados are both called users?" - Clifford Stoll
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Pathachiever wrote: I gave up Unity3D because I didn't know how to make 3D models
Pathachiever wrote: I gave [up] XNA because it was too complex to just load a 3D texture, never mind interacting with it
Hmmm, you'll never succeed in anything if you just give up..........you'll find if you just go that little bit longer, sometimes things just click into place and the things that seemed difficult will become trivial.
As long as your learning the underlying skills then everything you learn will be transferable. The tech industry is evolving at such a pace, you will never stop learning, and you can never settle on one thing.
If you enjoy it as much as you say you do, then it will never seem a hassle, but remember, you might have to try a few different jobs until you find the one you really enjoy, so don't expect everything just to be handed to you on plate.......
Good luck for the future!
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Just blanket it. Crop dust man. Whatever you pick up is good! There is good moolah to be made in Nashville right now. I've got two jobs and I'm a 17 year programmer (having started at the tender young age of 14), so hey!
Brian
Sincerely Yours,
Brian Hart
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Nice man! I started when I was 11. I can do all the easy things with probably any language now, but I can't do complex things. Looks like I should stick to one language (C#) and try to improve on it, like Simon said. (Unintended pun :P)
I've also done a few jobs, mostly on freelancer. But what I want is to work with innovation, like do cool stuff with technology. I have good ideas, but I can't implement them because of my lack of experience.
"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson "Why is it drug addicts and computer afficionados are both called users?" - Clifford Stoll
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Thanks for your advice. I see my problem now. I have to sit down and just learn one language, like Simon said. (Pun not intended)
I have only learned the fundamentals of my favorite language (C#), but now I'll have to do more, and gain experience.
Thanks for the inpiration. Hopefully C# will stick around in this fast-paced technology world.
"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson "Why is it drug addicts and computer afficionados are both called users?" - Clifford Stoll
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It sounds like you're off to a good start. I also like embedded programming so I'll give you some links to useful info but you'll have to decide what you're interested in and where to invest your time.
Like the other people said predictions are hard to make especially about the future. Although I don't agree with some of the more extreme cloud computing people I would say that things are probably going to continue to get more webified. Even things like the user interface for operating systems are starting to use web languages. And as long as hardware keeps getting cheaper (although moore's law is showing some signs of slowing down) I don't see any end to the prolifieration of high level stuff (frameworks, libraries, high level languages, and off the shelf solutions) at the expense of program efficiency. In the embedded world this will probably mean that assembly programming will probably continue to decline in importance although effiency will still matter some because battery life is somewhat correlated to program efficiency.
If you want to get into the embedded field the big languages seem to be C or C++ with assembly and Ada sometimes used too. Another thing to keep in mind is that some hardware knowledge is useful if you do any of the lower level programming. In fact many embedded programmers have Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering backgrounds instead of Computer Science backgrounds. There's also something called FPGA programming but you really have to understand electrical engineering for that. They use special languages for that.
For learning linux I would recommend learning the command line if you haven't already. Even though it seems obsolete to me compared to IDEs some places still use it for linux programming. In fact I used it on my last job. Python is also a good scripting language to know for linux people that seems to have been gaining popularity for a long time with no end in sight.
Pathachiever wrote: I never worked with Embedded programming because the starter kit's were too expensive. 
I bought 2 different ones that were $40 a piece although this was several years ago. One was Microchip which unfortunately didn't include a C compiler, only an assembler and another one from Zilog that did have a C compiler. Try looking at digikey.com and if you aren't sure which to buy call them and ask for a tech person and tell them your situation and budget and that you want one with a c or c++ compiler included and they're usually pretty helpful and actually know what they're talking about.
Also if you're interested in real time operating systems this is good freertos.org since you can get and look at the source code. If you want to really understand it you're going to have to buy the ebook that explains it. But I've read it and it's a pretty good book that not only explains freertos but real time concepts in general. But you'll need to understand general operating system concepts first like deadlocks, mutexes, semaphores ect.. first or it might not make sense.
Also if your interested in embedded stuff this language Ada might interest you. It's not real popular but it's used in some really important stuff like airplane controls, nuclear power plants, spacecraft, ect... beacause the language was build with strong error checking in mind. You can download a free compiler and IDE from here (it's free for non commericial purposes only) http://www.adacore.com/home/[^]
Here's some other good resources:
http://www.digikey.com/[^]
http://www.eetimes.com/design/embedded[^] It used to be embedded.com, has lots of info.
http://www.freertos.org/[^]
http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/content/paperinfo/tpci/index.html[^] Take this with a huge grain of salt cause the measurement method isn't terribly acurate but if you look at long term trends you can see which languages are gaining or losing in popularity.
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I know there used to be a jobs forum but with you guys moving things around all the time I can't find the damned thing no more!
I'm looking for leads so that I can hit the ground standing/running rather than with a splat when I head back to Canada/USA in a month's time. I'm done with contractual agreements in Jordan and I'm packing my bags to fly out of here.
So...
Who here needs me?
Now, now, don't be shy, you can form a digital line over there 
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh!
Current activities:
Playing Star Craft II. Don't bother me, eh?
Now and forever, defiant to the end.
What is Multiple Sclerosis[ ^]?
Food[ ]
modified on Thursday, September 8, 2011 10:01 AM
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I hear the pharmaceutical companies are looking for a few good test subjects, if you don’t mind a few of your parts falling off occasionally. 
It was broke, so I fixed it.
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Occasionally? That implies that they can be re-attached... interesting...
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh!
Current activities:
Playing Star Craft II. Don't bother me, eh?
Now and forever, defiant to the end.
What is Multiple Sclerosis[ ^]?
Food[ ]
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The wonders of modern medicine. 
It was broke, so I fixed it.
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Dallas has lots of .Net jobs right now. Some days, my phone is ringing off the hook. Probably the best overall job market in the US right now. And a relatively low cost of living.
But not much in the 1million/hour range right now. If I can find that, I'm taking it, you're on your own. Sorry 
Good Luck!
-Ed
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Edw wrote: But not much in the 1million/hour range right now. If I can find that, I'm taking it, you're on your own. Sorry
Well, had to grab your attention, eh?
Dallas, hmmm, Dad always did say Texas was a great state and I did get accepted to UoH. Any leads I can follow up on? .NET is not a strict requirement, I'm pretty well rounded though I have lost weight
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh!
Current activities:
Playing Star Craft II. Don't bother me, eh?
Now and forever, defiant to the end.
What is Multiple Sclerosis[ ^]?
Food[ ]
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I recommend just going to Dice and apply to a few postings, that should get your name and resume in their systems.
That's usually all I have to do to start the phone ringing. I don't even post an updated resume anymore.
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I'll give that a try.
One question, how receptive are American firms to hiring Canadians these days? (TN Visas get stamped at the port of arrival once a formal job offer is made)
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh!
Current activities:
Playing Star Craft II. Don't bother me, eh?
Now and forever, defiant to the end.
What is Multiple Sclerosis[ ^]?
Food[ ]
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No clue on that one. Hopefully, somebody else can chime in on that one.
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Depends if you can decently play hockey.
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I used to play quite well... but its been nearly 15 years since I've put on a pair of ice-skates!
Shameful, I know *commits seppuku*
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh!
Current activities:
Playing Star Craft II. Don't bother me, eh?
Now and forever, defiant to the end.
What is Multiple Sclerosis[ ^]?
Food[ ]
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Perhaps the Nigerians could use a personal courier to collect and deliver the personal data of the ignorant.
I wasn't, now I am, then I won't be anymore.
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Meh, doesn't pay well.
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh!
Current activities:
Playing Star Craft II. Don't bother me, eh?
Now and forever, defiant to the end.
What is Multiple Sclerosis[ ^]?
Food[ ]
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Mustafa Ismail Mustafa wrote: I can't find the damned thing no more!
I wouldn't hire someone who can't even use a search function. 
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I defy you! I have used the broken search function and have not found the sought forum!
Comment fais-tu?
If the post was helpful, please vote, eh!
Current activities:
Playing Star Craft II. Don't bother me, eh?
Now and forever, defiant to the end.
What is Multiple Sclerosis[ ^]?
Food[ ]
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Facile !
Was just teasing you, actually there is no job board anymore, AFAIR.
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