Can you still become a programmer at 26?

[Amida]

Hi Guys

I've been working as a Network administrator for the last couple of years.

Will it still be possible to become a programmer?

 

[Sherbang]

I became a programmer at 30!

 

[ABCpt]

Well, I studied programming after school. Armed with my diploma, I tried to get a job, but everyone wanted experience. At age 28 (3 years ago), I finally got my gap and took it. Still a 'junior', but if it can be done at 28, it can be done at 26. It all depends on yourself and if someone will give you a chance.

 

[swsup97]

why the change, R u gatvol with Network admin?

 

[Trixanno]

Like any other change in profesional direction, if you are willing to start at a junior level (and yea....most likely a pay cut as well) again, you can become a programmer at age 40.

 

[Viper25]

You can become a programmer at age 26 easy.
You just need to be motivated to learn and make sure that programming
is really something that you want to do. (I.E dont just do it for the money)

 

[Amida]

why the change, R u gatvol with Network admin?

Yeah the work I do now is not chalenging enough anymore.

You can become a programmer at age 26 easy.
You just need to be motivated to learn and make sure that programming
is really something that you want to do. (I.E dont just do it for the money)

It was always something I wanted to do. I love solving problems especially if someone comes to me and tell me they want to do this or this then figuring out a way to make it possible.

Will I be able to use my networking knowlegde in some way?

 

[dequadin]

(I.E dont just do it for the money)

There's money to be made in programming? I thought it was all about the pain...

 

[Raithlin]

There's money to be made in programming? I thought it was all about the pain...

What he said.

You should catch on rather quickly, and there's always work for junior developers, particularly in maintenance teams. You learn a lot that way too.

Can you use your networking knowledge? Depends what you're writing, but generally I think it will at some point come in very handy.

 

[FarligOpptreden]

There's money to be made in programming? I thought it was all about the pain...

So, so sad.... but also true!

What he said.

You should catch on rather quickly, and there's always work for junior developers, particularly in maintenance teams. You learn a lot that way too.

Can you use your networking knowledge? Depends what you're writing, but generally I think it will at some point come in very handy.

Yeah, especially if you get involved in web-based systems working over internet and intranet. We've had to deal with some pretty complex setups, especially when proxies are involved...

EDIT: Where've you been Raithlin? You are sorely missed around here!

 

[LandyMan]

Will I be able to use my networking knowledge in some way?

Most definitely ... the extent of how you use it will depend on the company you work for, and the systems they have implemented.

 

[chopsuey]

Hi Guys

I've been working as a Network administrator for the last couple of years.

Will it still be possible to become a programmer?

Yip, I become a full time programmer at 28.
(though I dabbled in programming in my own time on and off before then)

Before, I did Linux sys admin. The admin experience helped me allot because I'm mostly writing system/back-end stuff on a Linux platform now.

Personally I think there is a lack of programmers with a good technical background. ie Network admin in your case.

 

[Viper25]

There's money to be made in programming? I thought it was all about the pain...

You have to weigh your options i guess...
is all that pain worth the few more rands a month?

 

[Amida]

You have to weigh your options i guess...
is all that pain worth the few more rands a month?

It not really about the money. I'm looking for something more challenging something that will really get me thinking. From what I understand that is what programming is about.

When working with networking and you come accross problems it's more about problems with the actual device or software so you can just report it and then wait for someone to fix it or find a workaround.

With programming you have to go back and figure out what you did wrong.

Were would be the best place to start learning about programming?

 

[Viper25]

It not really about the money. I'm looking for something more challenging something that will really get me thinking. From what I understand that is what programming is about.

When working with networking and you come accross problems it's more about problems with the actual device or software so you can just report it and then wait for someone to fix it or find a workaround.

With programming you have to go back and figure out what you did wrong.

Were would be the best place to start learning about programming?

In that case you should go for it. You are still young.
Programming can be very rewarding when big companies use your program or your bit of code to carry out important processes.

If you are able to teach yourself, there are tons of turorials and examples on the web. Work through some of that. Its different when you actually in the real world work environment though. Once you start working as a junior programmer you will learn tons. You might also mess up quite a bit but thats all in the process of learning.

Good luck

 

[Amida]

In that case you should go for it. You are still young.
Programming can be very rewarding when big companies use your program or your bit of code to carry out important processes.

If you are able to teach yourself, there are tons of turorials and examples on the web. Work through some of that. Its different when you actually in the real world work environment though. Once you start working as a junior programmer you will learn tons. You might also mess up quite a bit but thats all in the process of learning.

Good luck

Cool stuff thanks for the advice. What would be a good language to start with?

 

[Viper25]

depends on what type of programming you want to do?
Web Sites, Web applications, console applications, object orientated programming?

VB.Net might be a good place to start though.

 

[dequadin]

depends on what type of programming you want to do?
Web Sites, Web applications, console applications, object orientated programming?

VB.Net might be a good place to start though.

The internets mostly agree, that for someone who has no formal training - Python is one of the best to start on. Why not try Google's new Go programming language. It looks awesome...

If .NET is an option I would go C# for a couple of reasons:

1. Majority of .NET stuff on the web is in C#
2. C style syntax, i.e. easy to move to other languages like Java or C++
3. Better Mono support

Also get Visual Studio Express, or even better SharpDevelop

 

[dequadin]

It not really about the money. I'm looking for something more challenging something that will really get me thinking. From what I understand that is what programming is about.

If you find the right shop to work for, yes. You don't want to be what I refer to as a programmer. Someone who sits at their desk and bashes out what they're told to do. You want to be a developer and be involved in the whole software process.

Were would be the best place to start learning about programming?

Pick a language and a project/idea and just go for it. I would suggest a decent amount of personal programming before you decide to change careers...

 

[Odom]

Be a man, learn x86 assembly.

I'm sort of in the opposite position as the OP. I studied programming for 4 years at University, got a job and now all I wanna do is go into System/Database Admin.