Computer courses c++ language

osmarks

Programming is somewhat less credentialist than other fields, and many of the courses you can do aren't especially useful, so the usual advice is to do projects and learn as you go. I would recommend starting with Python and JavaScript rather than C++, or Haskell, Lisp or Rust if you feel exotic.

However, the average programmer without much experience (university graduate or not) is in my eyes not particularly good, and it will take a while to get good even if you have the aptitude (many people don't, and don't really know it), and AI will consume relevant jobs soonish. You should consider other fields.

Savvy_Sue

olb81 said:

 It's like I left it by mistake and took the wrong path. A 44 year old under pressure delivering parcels for a shambles organisation is not something I can justify anymore.

With respect, delivery driving is not only undertaken by 'shambles organisations', and if nothing else I'd look at other jobs for which you are already qualified and experienced. Deliveries for a supermarket, for example, could be closer to home and better organised. Or department or DIY stores. Or non-driving jobs anywhere.

Savvy_Sue

osmarks said:

Programming is somewhat less credentialist than other fields, and many of the courses you can do aren't especially useful, so the usual advice is to do projects and learn as you go. I would recommend starting with Python and JavaScript rather than C++, or Haskell, Lisp or Rust if you feel exotic.

However, the average programmer without much experience (university graduate or not) is in my eyes not particularly good, and it will take a while to get good even if you have the aptitude (many people don't, and don't really know it), and AI will consume relevant jobs soonish. You should consider other fields.

And companies are probably still fixated on 'x years experience of y language', and if you've only got C++ and D is flavour of the month once you've finished studying, you're doomed. 

DH always said that a good programmer could pick up any language and write good code on it, whereas a not-so-good one would write indifferent code in any language, even one they were very familiar with. 

YellowSupporter

I've been programming since the mid '80s and have been through a load of languages. I'd agree that C++ is probably not a big one atm, My suggestion would be Javascript/HTML/CSS for web and pwa. Note though that AI is getting very good at a lot of entry level stuff.

To me the main difference between a 'hobbyist' and an 'engineer' is not necessarily coding knowledge (AI and Stack overflow easily fill any gaps), but knowing how to debug, write readable code, git or other soure control & being able to understand vague & often contradictory requirements 

monkey-fingers

Frankly, if I was retraining right now, it would be either in AI or Cyber.

Anything else, you're fighting with others. Not to mention that many people are outsourcing via Fiverr etc. or getting AI to write the code (which it's getting better at)

robatwork

Just chipping in that although I can't tell you which language will give you best bang for buck, the theory that AI will replace developers in the next year, or 10 years, is laughable. 
It will get better at helping developers code sections and debug them. But as for making code from scratch to do a task, pah. 

MeteredOut

robatwork said:

Just chipping in that although I can't tell you which language will give you best bang for buck, the theory that AI will replace developers in the next year, or 10 years, is laughable. 
It will get better at helping developers code sections and debug them. But as for making code from scratch to do a task, pah. 

AI is not replacing all developers, but it does mean that companies can have 30 developers who know how to use AI tools rather than 200 developers who know how to code. Those two numbers will increase and decrease, respectively, as time moves on.

I'd not rate the OPs chances of breaking into IT as a 44 year old with just a training certificate, unless they know someone. It's a cut-throat market at present, and I can't see it improving.

But if they do want to go down that path, having proof of positive contributions to open-source projects, or a portfolio of projects to demo, will work much more than a CV with a qualification.

twopenny

It might be worth asking on the Techie Forum.

How about asking independent computer programmers for advice. Just say you are interested in it and wondered what the latest was.

I know that there's a kids programming course at our library for 10+ so there will be plenty with know how.
IT support seems to be a cushie number judging by the departments I encountered in a government organisation but they did seem bored with the work. Payed well though 

MeteredOut

twopenny said:

It might be worth asking on the Techie Forum.

How about asking independent computer programmers for advice. Just say you are interested in it and wondered what the latest was.

I know that there's a kids programming course at our library for 10+ so there will be plenty with know how.
IT support seems to be a cushie number judging by the departments I encountered in a government organisation but they did seem bored with the work. Payed well though 

OP is not looking into IT support, but software development. There is very little skill overlap between the two other than being able to use a computer.

But, IT support can be an "in" to those that want to get into development; get a foot in the door and show capability in other areas, and look for a step into a different role.

LeafGreen

I would think a classroom course would be quite expensive, with no guarantee of a job at the end of it.
Probably best to try some online courses first to see how you get along.  Plenty of free stuff on YouTube, check out Harvard CS50 full course, I also like Tim Corey and the way he presents real world style application development.  Net Ninja too but he is more on the web side I think.
I would also suggest that C++ might not be the best choice if you are a beginner.  Maybe C# or Python.
But knowing just one thing probably won’t cut it, you’ll need to know git and a whole bunch of other stuff too.
It will be far from easy to get to a standard required to do it professionally, but one of the things I love about IT is that if you have the aptitude, drive and commitment, you can get there with minimal expenditure.  I did manage it myself (albeit a couple of decades ago) without any qualifications or experience so know it is possible.
Good luck!