Tagged Questions

-2
votes
2answers
87 views

Java Swing as a first job [closed]

I have just graduated and a few weeks ago I've started a job as a developer. This is my first IT job ever apart from some insignificant apprenticeships. I've joined the team composed of 3 people. They ...
8
votes
4answers
485 views

Aspergers Programmer and Learning Difficulties. Best way to overcome them? [closed]

I have Aspergers Syndrome, and a effect of Aspergers for me is that I can find it difficult to understand concepts from reading material unless I have some idea or mental visualization about what it ...
8
votes
5answers
440 views

How important are the people I work with? [closed]

I'm a very lucky individual who's managed to push a job I enjoy as a junior developer (I say push as I was hired as a Business Analyst but moved into development by proving I could do the work). I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
896 views

Open Source Projects for Beginning Coders? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: How can I find a good open source project to join? After working as a molecular biologist at the bench for many years, I lost my job last year and am thinking about a ...
45
votes
10answers
20k views

How to be a successful programmer without a CS degree [closed]

Disclaimers (Please read before jumping to answer): I've seen a number of questions similar to the one I would like to ask, so here are some similar questions. IMHO They are neither completely what ...
58
votes
17answers
3k views

Recommendations for teaching junior programmers good coding style

I am a big fan of good coding style, producing clean, clear code that runs well and is easy to use and integrate into larger systems. I believe that we programmers are essentially craftspeople who ...
11
votes
9answers
730 views

Should a new programmer focus on a single technology until he's proficient at it?

Ok, I've been teaching a buddy how to program for a while now. He's a very fast learner, and he's quite good at programming so far. However, he has one "issue" I keep trying to correct. He jumps in ...
4
votes
5answers
542 views

Where can I find simple, but well-written programs to learn from?

I've tried a few times to look at the source code for various things from github or other sites, in javascript, C#, PHP, etc. I'm never able to understand the programs as a whole though. I can sort of ...
2
votes
5answers
501 views

How does a fresher with a clean slate turn into a good programmer? [closed]

As a graduate fresh out of college with a clean slate, how can one go about being a good programmer who writes good maintainable code? How does one learn good coding practices and apply them? Can one ...
12
votes
11answers
2k views

Why is Python recommended as an entry level programming language?

I've read here on P.SE more questions in which beginner programmers are advised to pick Python as their first programming language. Don't get me wrong, I like Python. I like it a lot! But its ...
9
votes
5answers
389 views

How big is the gap between what you learn in CS curriculums and what you need in real life projects?

I'm in my last year in a 4 year CS curriculum and I would very much like to contribute to a FOSS project. Unfortunately, I feel that there is no way I can do useful coding, whether it is bug fixing or ...
17
votes
14answers
1k views

What Impact Do Scripting Languages Have on Junior Programmers?

I had a discussion with one of my teachers the other day. We debated the impact that simpler scripting languages (like Python or Ruby) have on junior programmers. He argued that scripting ...
5
votes
2answers
297 views

How to help junior programmers whose first language isn't English?

I've just changed jobs and am now working with a junior programmer whose first language is Cantonese. They have a computer science degree but are working in their first programming role after many ...
11
votes
6answers
591 views

Why is it always “what language should I learn next” instead of “what project should I tackle next”?

Why do beginning programmers (like me) always ask about the next language they should learn instead of asking about the next project to tackle? Why did Eric Raymond, in the "Learn How To Program" ...
117
votes
10answers
19k views

How can I find a good open source project to join?

I just started working a year ago, and I want to join an open source project for the same reasons as anyone else: help create something useful and develop my skills further. My problem is, I don't ...