Ask Slashdot: Best Way To Jump Back Into Programming?

First time accepted submitter FractalFear writes "15 years ago I was programming in BASIC, and doing some C++, after a serious car accident barely making it out alive, my memory went to crud. I have no recollection of how to do anything in either of those languages any more. I've suffered some damage, and my memory isn't all that great. However if I do repetitive work it sticks to me. I've been in IT for 17 years as desktop support, and I fear I won't ever get much further in life due to my handicap. I am hard working and dedicated, I have been reading slashdot regularly for many years now, and I have faith in the Slashdot community advice. I recently bought Head First C#: 2nd Edition(A friend of mine that programs for a living suggested C# as an easier alternative to C++) the first 4 chapters were great, but after that everything just didn't make any sense. My question(s) to you guys is: What was the best way for you to get back into programming? School? Self taught? And what would be the best language for someone like me to get into? My goal is to make games as a hobby for now, but would like to enter into the market of XBOX Arcade, Steam, mobile etc, particularly 2D TBSRPG games like Shining Force. If you prefer self taught what are some really good books you suggest?"

Comments

C# is great...

[Joce640k]

C# is great, especially now that Microsoft has dumped .Net and moved on to their Next Great Thing.

That's the real problem with proprietary languages. They get dumped as soon as the proprietor no longer needs them for their business.

Java has fallen into this trap, too. Java was bought by Oracle and Oracle has no real use for it except as a weapon for beating up Google.

If you want curly brackets and object orientation (which is a good thing) then C++ is the only one with an open future. C++ can be more difficult initially because there's a lot of stuff you have to learn NOT to do. Once you learn what not to do then it's just as easy as the others but you don't feel manacled. The thing it really lacks is a standard framework (although things like QT are pretty good). Read the C++ FAQ at least once a week for the first six months even if you don't understand it all. It's online, it's free, there's no excuse.

OTOH this is all bad advice until you know exactly what sort of programmer you want to be. Most programming jobs have a preferred language/framework so that's what you need to figure out first. eg. If you want to program web sites you might have to learn PHP and SQL.

Good luck.

Brain damaged? Just go into ISO certification.

[Rogerborg]

Again, until it sinks in: Brain damaged? Just go into ISO certification.