Getting back into software development

[Hansen]

Hi all
I left the IT world about six years ago. At that stage I have been developing in delphi for about 4years. I left to start my own business and everything is going well.
My problem is that I am getting very bored not using my brain anymore. I feel like I am getting dumber by the day.

Would it be advisable to get back into in IT what is the state of the industry like these days.

Aby opinions and advice would be welcomed.

 

[koeksGHT]

I say go for it. Software developers at the moment seem to be in a bit of a shortage.

Would you go work for some company while you have your own business or would you do freelance work or what?

 

[Avenue]

hey I was also in Delphi.... but I left 10 years ago, so got nothing to offer. Sorry.

actually what if you did some fun programming as an on the side thing- games, get into a dynamic open source project- you know that sort of thing.

 

[thatshowiroll]

It depends what you're looking to do. If you're planning to get a job doing software dev. at a place then you'll find that C# and Java skills are probably the most sought-after. SA dev houses seem to have a fascination with .NET. If you're looking to do a bit of dev. work on the side, the new generation of languages like Python, Ruby etc. together with open source and cloud computing are where it's happening internationally. That's what all the hot startups are using. I personally prefer Scala (it's like Java on steroids cross-bred with Ruby/Python), but that's nowhere near mainstream yet (even if Twitter is implemented using it).

HTML 5 is pretty hot too at the moment. If you want to get an idea about trending tech check out:
http://www.indeed.com/jobtrends?q=HTML5,+Ruby,+C#,+Java,+Python,+Scala&l=

Or for something different take a look at smartphone app development, Android is probably the easiest to get started with.

 

[greggpb]

It depends what you're looking to do. If you're planning to get a job doing software dev. at a place then you'll find that C# and Java skills are probably the most sought-after. SA dev houses seem to have a fascination with .NET. If you're looking to do a bit of dev. work on the side, the new generation of languages like Python, Ruby etc. together with open source and cloud computing are where it's happening internationally. That's what all the hot startups are using. I personally prefer Scala (it's like Java on steroids cross-bred with Ruby/Python), but that's nowhere near mainstream yet (even if Twitter is implemented using it).

HTML 5 is pretty hot too at the moment. If you want to get an idea about trending tech check out:
http://www.indeed.com/jobtrends?q=HTML5,+Ruby,+C#,+Java,+Python,+Scala&l=

Or for something different take a look at smartphone app development, Android is probably the easiest to get started with.

+1 but if you are running you own company I wouldn't go an work for someone else..

 

[Hansen]

Thanx everyone for the feedback. The reason for getting back into it is just sometimes it seems alot easier to draw a paycheck, no worries, no stress, holidays every year.
The part time/ sideline work is actually, I think, the best way to get up to speed again. Now I just need to convince someone that I can still solve problems...

 

[stevenv]

Thanx everyone for the feedback. The reason for getting back into it is just sometimes it seems alot easier to draw a paycheck, no worries, no stress, holidays every year.

But once the business is successful, one day you'll be making a helluva lot more 99% of employees earning a paycheck

The part time/ sideline work is actually, I think, the best way to get up to speed again. Now I just need to convince someone that I can still solve problems...

Good on you! I think it's awesome to hear about someone really wanting to get back into the industry. I suppose it does somewhat depend where and what you work on exactly but I personally never feel myself getting dumber: for me, even after a number of years, everyday is a learning experience. Can't beat that I say