S/w Programming - Where to start???

[m78]

Hi,

Sorry to post it here, but really hope that you guys will help.

I would like to have a career in the S/w industry. I know a bit of C and like coding/algorith writing. I have good logic and would like to work with PCs. Can someone please help me out with my following queries.

a) What is the career map like in the S/w industry. After you join as a trainee, how does your career grow.
b) What basics should be learnt/are taught at professional courses.
c) What subject should be covered before joining the industry.
d) What is the difference like between academia and the actual workplace.
e) What is taught during the training period in a company.
f) What is the work profile of a programmer.
g) What are the different streams within programming.
h) How good are the Microsoft Certifications. Would it suffice if is just study the subjects for the MCSD Certification and join the industry as a fresher. How about the Sun and the Oracle certifications. Are they good.
i) ARe there any specific books that you would recommend me to read.

Thanks.

[WizBang]

[ Moved Thread ]

[WizBang]

From you questions, it sounds like you are looking to get hired by a company, rather than be on your own. In that case, I'm guessing that languages such as Java would come in handy. Many companies use it, and there are often teams of programmers working on different parts. However, that's not necessarily the commercial software industry.

I'd think that companies which develope commercial products are harder to get into, though working independently I can't speak from experience. If I wanted to be hired by a particular company, I might develope something which they could use, in the hopes of a sale and/or that further work would come out of it (I actually have done this with success, but not with a software company). This might not get the desired results, but unless I miss my guess, just having some kind of degree from a course would not be so impressive. Poeple with degrees are all over, but a real hot-shot programmer with an intuitive sense is far less common.

To address some of your questions more specifically:

a) What is the career map like in the S/w industry. After you join as a trainee, how does your career grow.
I'd say that like any job, you gain a reputation over time. After awhile, you may eventually get to be in an executive role. In such a case, many times you no longer have to prove your worth, and you get overpaid for doing nothing :D

b) What basics should be learnt/are taught at professional courses.
I've not taken programming courses, but in every instance with which I'm familiar, the "basics" don't apply to the real world as often as one might think, and professional courses seem to be more about conforming to standards rather than inventing new ones. I know this sound cynical, but I've never liked playing "follow the leader".
c) What subject should be covered before joining the industry.
I think that depends on what part of the industry you intend to get into.
d) What is the difference like between academia and the actual workplace.
Like black and white. In academia you learn one thing, but your boss tells you to do another. You do it his way to keep your job, even though you know it's wrong, or that you can do it better.
e) What is taught during the training period in a company.
Keep you mouth shut so they don't find out how confused you are. Actually, I think this depends a lot on the sort of work you'd be doing.
f) What is the work profile of a programmer.
Pretend you know what's going on. Drink caffine to stay awake at work because you played video games all night. Actually, I'm not sure of the answer to this, or I don't know what you mean.
g) What are the different streams within programming.
I don't know what you mean, sorry.
h) How good are the Microsoft Certifications. Would it suffice if is just study the subjects for the MCSD Certification and join the industry as a fresher. How about the Sun and the Oracle certifications. Are they good.
Again, I'd say the part of the industry you get into helps determine this.
i) ARe there any specific books that you would recommend me to read.
This depends on the work you'd be doing, the language you'd be using, etc. There are a g'zillion books available.

Well, that's my two cents, for what it's worth. I may be way off, and I'm sure others will be happy to give their particular view on the topics you've inquired about.

[m78]

Thanks WhizBang for the info.

You are absolutely right when you say that i am trying to get hired into the industry.

i would like to apply as a fresher to these companies here in india. however, before i join, i wish to get to know the basics real well so that i can build up on that later.

i think i would like to get into application programming, working on some projects.

By diff streams withing programming, i was just trying to get to know areas like Database programming, Front End programming, Webpage programming, or sth of that sort.

Thanks again.

Rgds.

[WizBang]

There are quite a few "basic areas" of programming. When working for a software company, you'd almost certainly be working with a team. Each member would be assigned a particular task(s). There may be one or more people working on the GUI, database connectivity, rendering engine, and so on. There will also be people who handle the web site.

I have the impression that such programmers end up specializing in one main area. Therefore, if you want to get employed by a commercial software company, I'd suggest finding your strong points, and focus on those. I have seen many company websites with a link to inquire about open positions within the company, so that might be a good place to start. Perhaps you should find a few companies which you don't really want to work for, and inquire anyway. This will give you some insight into how to open up communications with a company, without blowing it with one which you really want to work for. You will quickly find out what to say, and what not to say. Keep in mind that some companies will no doubt have someone answering emails who is totally clueless, while others will have someone who really knows their stuff. The smart ones will probably know very quickly whether or not you have what it takes.

Remember that since I've not marketed my skills in this way, I'm just making some educated guesses here. You would probably find it useful to get feedback from people who work in the sort of company which you're interested in. Many members of CodeGuru fit this category.

[darwen]

There's also qualifications.

Firstly I believe there's a programming institute in India. Try to get in there.

Any mathematical-based degree is also good : a Computer Science degree or Maths degree is the best.

In GB if you want to get hired to do software development you HAVE to have a degree just to get an interview. And generally speaking a high degree too (2.1 (hons) or higher). Especially with the market being very competitive at the moment.

I don't know what the situation in India is : but I'd concentrate on database programming in C# if I were you. With the demise of VB6 the demand for C# database programmers will steadily rise over the next few years.

Even stalwart C++ companies are moving over to C# for development of non-time critical software these days so if you're starting off I would have thought a firm knowledge of C# would stand you in good stead.

If you can also gain knowledge of C++/MFC and how windows actually WORKS (i.e. message loops etc) then that would be benefitial too.

Darwen.

[RoboTact]

Don't forget to take into account what you like: it would be much better to do work you enjoy even somewhat cheaper then other you hate...

[Wombat]

a) What is the career map like in the S/w industry. After you join as a trainee, how does your career grow.

Junior programmer -> Senior programmer -> Team leader (??)
It actually depends on individual company, and how u improve urself along the way. Some may become consultant or software architect, if they have the relevant qualifications and exhibits their ability in software design. Some may opt to go into management position.


b) What basics should be learnt/are taught at professional courses.

Depends what kind of courses you go for. Programming languages, operating system, data structures, networking concepts (impt for network programming), database concepts, just to name a few.


c) What subject should be covered before joining the industry.

Again depends on what industry and what position u r going for. Some industry prefers people with some domain knowledge and experience. Otherwise, a normal diploma or degree in relevant fields should have covered the basics.


d) What is the difference like between academia and the actual workplace.

Objectives are different. Academia is more geared towards research. Commercial companies are generally more concerned abt the end-product.


e) What is taught during the training period in a company.

Again depends on the company. Some may send u for courses, some give you on-the-job-training. Some just throw stacks of specification to you.


f) What is the work profile of a programmer.

Programming....coffee break...programming...coffee break....programming...


g) What are the different streams within programming.

A lot. MMI, Database, Network, Graphics, Algorithm, Web, AI, etc. You need to know more than just programming to be a proficient programmer.


h) How good are the Microsoft Certifications. Would it suffice if is just study the subjects for the MCSD Certification and join the industry as a fresher. How about the Sun and the Oracle certifications. Are they good.

MCAD / MCSD would be useful if u r going to develop/deploy software on microsoft windows platform. If u r using Java, u can look at Sun's certification. I do not know much abt Oracle.


i) ARe there any specific books that you would recommend me to read.

Decide on what u wanna learn first. For programming, hands-on is most important.