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This is for computer fags. so I'm tired of my job and I want to do something remote from home. So I thought (in Slingblade voice) Learn to code. So any advice on languages, places to get training with out a college degree, Ups and downs and anything you know that I have failed to ask. Thanks frens

This is for computer fags. so I'm tired of my job and I want to do something remote from home. So I thought (in Slingblade voice) Learn to code. So any advice on languages, places to get training with out a college degree, Ups and downs and anything you know that I have failed to ask. Thanks frens

(post is archived)

[–] • 9 pts

Python is a great first programming language to learn, and it's the primary language for data science and machine learning, if you're into that.

[–] • 2 pts

Machine learning is an interesting route to go down as a "programmer" as it's relatively very little programming and just tweaking the dials of the algorithms. Imo a good machine learning "programmer" should be doing heavy manipulation of the data to be in the best and most relevant form for the machine learner though.

[–] • 1 pt

Your dismissive tone and use of quotation marks is noted.

[–] • 0 pt

Erm feel free to explain the expanse of your programming that you do while doing machine learning.

[–] • 1 pt

Its quite heavily used in openstack (cloud stack infrastructure) too.

[–] • 4 pts

If you want to work in software, the single most important thing you can do is stay away from engineers.

Engineers who work in software are the fucking mouth-breather incompetent niggers of problem solving.

These are fucking monkies who should be turning a wrench for a living, but there are dumbfuck hiring managers want these fucking animals responsible for abstract logic machines.

They're a fucking disaster.

It's like having a macaque who knows how to wipe up its own shit working in your house as a butler, and thinking it's a good idea because you can ignore the screeching and the smells.

"Engineers" are retarded niggers who enjoy arguing without knowing what they're talking about, and shitting on things, and then screeching when their incompetence is discovered.

[–] • 1 pt

Damn be careful they’ll back stab you for their job if they feel they need to too.

[–] • 1 pt

It's truly a marvel that any serious leader or founder wouldn't full-tilt fire those fucking retarded animals after a few months.

There is nothing worse than incompetence rewarded.

[–] • 4 pts

Have worked in tech for many years, can develop in many languages, my thoughts: - Python is a great first language to learn as its uncompiled scripts with lots of resources and a huge market demand. - Keep in mind the most valuable work is what occurs without a user interface, for example connecting to one system to gather information and write it to a location it can then be blended with other data. Read up on ETL and data pipelines as this is hot right now. - html, css, and jsp (to a lesser extent) isn't paid well and has mostly moved offshore - java is still very popular, but more complex and without a significant salary difference. - C# and .net are honestly better left for after you have a few years of experience

[–] • 4 pts (edited )

Keep in mind the most valuable work is what occurs without a user interface, for example connecting to one system to gather information and write it to a location it can then be blended with other data. Read up on ETL and data pipelines as this is hot right now.

I've been away from writing heavy code almost 20 years now, but I think you are touching upon what we once called "Expert Systems" about 30 years ago? The software engineer needs to become an expert at understanding/operating the full system, then writes operating code that drives the hardware to perform all of those functions on its own. One major project I did was a rack and stack semiconductor test system to replace slow and error prone bench testing for tests that no ATE was capable of performing (at the time), we built 6 systems for manufacturing test worldwide. I had to become an expert on each peripheral (specs, calibration, communication, ranges, settle times, etc), the test methodology, the range of devices to be tested, the devices themselves, fixturing, etc. Getting everything to fit together and function properly was just the beginning. Speeding it up to increase throughput without jeopardizing quality was next. This kind of work was the most enjoyable parts of my career. I developed test time reduction strategies in the mid 1980s and later saw variations of them used by LTX, Teradyne and other big name ATE in the late 1990s. I'd love to do that kind of work again but the Semi Biz is generally not interested in hiring guys my age.

[–] • 3 pts

You are correct, the people most successful in this space are eager to understand the details of a process, and then look for ways to put those details into a process that can be automated. It's amazing how many times people explain a process as "too complex to be automated" but what they are really saying is "there is a bunch of disparate tasks that get called based on some if/then/else logic. Extract Transform, & Load (ETL) data processes are super hot right now - everyone needs to get data out of a vendors system, blend the data with data from in-house systems, perform additional calculations and then save that data into a database for analysts to consume. Fact is - the person doing the ETL work often understands the business process and the data better than the analysts due to the depth of interaction required. If you're looking to get back into the space, consider https://www.fiverr.com/ or https://www.reddit.com/r/slavelabour/ to get jobs that will help build your skills - no-one here gives a damn about your age, they just want a solution on the cheep.

[–] • 0 pt (edited )

/r/slavelabor ... LMAO!

I'll think about it, and appreciate the links. I have maybe 20 years of life left, am set financially, not sure whether I should jump back into the fray vs quietly fading into the sunset. I loved the work, the intensity, the challenge, the people. I wish I had another 20 years for my career. Much has changed in programming over the last 20 years since I last spec'd out projects and wrote code. Many new specialized languages, new devices, interface standards, cloud, etc. - I'd have a lot to catch up on to be "current" - if those newer tools are necessary/beneficial to the success of the project. And how much longer would I seriously want to accept job obligations/commitments? It would cut into my news junkie/web browsing/POAL time too. Lots to think about. My mind yearns for the challenge but I've got to face the fact that I'm getting old. My headstone will not say "I wish I worked more" on it. I'm approaching my golden years ... as I watch/have seen many of my old friends and family pass on. I don't have any kids, no one to pass the proceeds to except a few cousins and their kids. Probably better for me to just putter with my hobbies, spend time with friends and relatives, organize my stuff (I have so much "stuff" to unload) so when I do pass on I'm not leaving a headache for the beneficiaries. If I was 10-15 years younger, I'd likely jump back into it head first. The possibility had me really excited though!

[–] • 1 pt

Thanks for your thoughts fren

[–] • 2 pts

Basic C C++ C# (can be avoided for jewcrosoft but it's a good learning platform) C Assembly C again, because you need nothing more than C and C++.

Everything else is trash. Stay away from Java and all languages where they general IDE does everything for you - which admittedly is true to a small extent with C#.

[–] • 1 pt

Maybe 20-30 years ago, but things have changed.

[–] • 0 pt

Much appreciated

[–] • 3 pts

Eh you probably shouldn't listen much to me. That was very opinionated. I despise everything not C. I learned C from basic as a Freshman in high school so I'm very partial to it.

[–] • 1 pt

I despise everything not C.

Even though C and mild C++ are still my first choice, I have to acknowledge that it took years to become experienced with them, and there are more forgiving things available these days.

[–] • 1 pt

That's what I hear about C...still relevant if it's running things

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

my reccomendation: Javascript Python PostgreSQL C?

Will take you very far. Python is amazing for learning concepts and universal skills if more limited in job market. If you know python you don’t need PHP. Learn the html and case you need to complete projects but don't waste too much time mastering front-end. Learn enough as you go to approach full-stack but focus on mastering back-end.that is the real value and skill. Javascript is becoming universal and if you had to learn other languages in the C-family you are making an easy jump. If you wanted to do devops C. If you are never going there then maybe skip this. Pick a database. It doesn’t matter much on paper which one usually because they are all mostly different ways to the same thing. I suggest Postgresql simply because it covers everything you need at this point and is open-source.

If you can get serious with just javascript, python and postgresql you can cover a lot of ground easily supplemented with html, css and other new languages as you go. I believe that trifecta is the best value for your time as a learner. If you don’t go datascience and machine learning python is still good for replacing php. A javascript master can easily learn Cish languages.

These three languages can do a lot and if competent with them, will make the rest easy jumps. Learn concepts with Python. Learn projects with javascript. Use Postgresql for both. Html and CSS as needed to get job done. Learn C for devops and understanding hardware level if that is your interest.

I would skip php, perl and java which is all stuff I originally learned on way back. Java is meh. Avoid it. You can learn it easily if you ever had to if you really know algs and data structures. PHP is kind of messy crap IMO even if a lot runs on it. Even if there are not a lot of datascience machine learning gigs for entry level, python will get you learning easily and can cover the php gap.

[–] • 0 pt

Thanks for the info, I'm just at the start of even deciding where to go, code or otherwise.

[–] • 2 pts

I would say this. If you are not sure about it. Maybe get a basic Linux cert for something very basic and entry level. It would be cheap and not take much time. If you find you don’t really like that, then anything computing may not be for you. If you do like it, then that is a real good start to a coding career and you can already be in the industry somewhere while you continue.

[–] • 0 pt

Javascript is a terrible language to learn first. Its variable typing will completely fuck you up when you try to apply your learned skills to another language.

Python or C (possibly via an Arduino) would be better. Sure, Python typing isn't great, but at least it doesn't guess what you're trying to do and change variable types on the fly.

[–] • 0 pt

Javascript is a little of a mind f when you go to learn it second from another language as well. If you don't learn to program it from it's "prototyping" perspective you'll "never" get it. You'll always be trying to make classes etc.

[–] • 0 pt

Not for nothing I started with html anr javascript first in the late 90s and early 2000s and had zero issue learning java or python a decade and two decades after. Shit everyone used to bitch about how complicated frames were (they weren’t, people are just stupid bitches). Knowing is half the battle. You can find a snag in any order of learning really. Its computers, not crayons.

[–] • 0 pt

I literally said learn from Python first. And that if you learn how to do anything in Python first then figure out how to do it in another language after it will be easier. Python really is the best first language. But not where the money and much work is. There are not many jobs for just Python and it doesn’t command much money on its own. Well paid Python developers are often full stack. And there often are no entry level jobs for it. It is a good supplement but anyone who has javascript down will never hurt for work or money, and won’t really need anything else. Javascript is huge and it would be silly to not learn javascript second. Or not know javascript and python for websites. Or to not know javascript at all. Variable typing is not a big deal if you learn python first. You won’t have to unlearn it when learning other language if you learn Python first. Those two will make most other languages very familiar and easy to pick up regardless because you will not have to unlearn variable typing of you didn’t start with it. I only make C optional because it won’t help you unless your interests and projects require it. I never learned it because I have never needed it.

[–] • 1 pt

I have a remote IT job, more helpdesky than coding but it's 100k and I live on a tiny island away from everything.

I'd suggest focusing on front end development rather than backend or full stack. It's a bit easier to get a job if you're self taught when you have a portfolio of pretty things to show off.

I recommend udemy.com for coding courses too.

[–] • 1 pt

i'd join the others here in recommending python.

[–] • 1 pt

Play bitburner (free game, google it)

It uses a version of javascript, its a fun way to get you started with a few concepts, and it points at some amazing tutorials.

[–] • 1 pt

Python is complete shit. You have to deal with weird spacing and unusual issues that translates all to no other language. It's just a c wrapper that the creator brags he created overnight.

[–] • 1 pt

I'd recommend Tim Buchalka's online videos/classes if you like a lecture style format, and he has classes that for many programming languages/applications and all skill levels. It's not free, but I think most of the classes are like $20, and a hundred times better than watching YouTube videos.

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