Bamrak

I'm hoping this is the right forum since my major is computer programming.

Currently I'm working for a company in the finace industry. Our analyst quit and I was 'forced' (read: elated) into filling the role with no formal training. In 8 months I have taught myself to survive in programming SQL and Access and currently am working on VBA. I know this isn't a big feat, but I have been through two replacement analysts that have not lasted due to being unable to fill the position which also has some database administation of a third party DB as well.
I've decided to begin my education by going for my AoS in computer programming. Along with this I'll be picking up my A+, Net+ and my MCAD certification on either C#.NET or VB.NET..

I have a two part question:

1. Is either c# or a VB track better? I'm guessing it's more of a personal preference, or is there a distinct career path difference?

2. What kind of entry level jobs can I expect? Should I expect to get little to no interest due to my lack of bachelors and experience? What sort of salary would I be expecting?

Do you have any other ideas that I may be missing due to an ignorance of the 'real world' of programming?

Thank you in advance for any guidence or observations you can give.

MadHatder

I would say go more C based, due to the fact that it(in general) is more widely used/comprehensive then VB.

manalone

C would be my preference too, it's a more serious language. you might want to also look at c++ and Java in the future.

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n0nsensical

They are both equally bad... Ok, ok, I should give C#.NET some credit. But I won't give any to VB or any form of Basic for that matter. Although I admittedly have no idea what the job market is like for them, so maybe they are the personal injury lawyers of computer programming. C++ was the first language I learned and it would be if I could do it over again. Once you know C++ well you also know straight C and 80% of Java and C#.

cowlick

Most computer science education is cenetered around concepts, not languages. I'd be very worried if your school was pushing C# versus VB as different educational or career paths.

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Rangsk

I'd have to disagree that once you know C++ you know straight C. There are many pedantics of C that C++ lets you get around, as well as MANY seemingly invisible features* of C++ just don't exist if you're writing in strict C. Not to mention that programming in C will require a different way of thinking than in C++, which is much more object oriented. I highly recommend learning C and C++ almost seperately, if you can take the time.

*Some say the features are unnecessary / make it worse / make it slower... I personally like them, but many do not, especially for very low level applications.

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Yakk

Bamrak, do you have any degree at all? That could help.

An important thing to realize is that learning languages is a very minor part of being a programmer. Languages are easy, the hard part is deciding what to do with them. =)

C++ is still the most popular programming language out there, which means more jobs and more competition.

C# is related to C++ and Java in a vague way. So, learning C# will place you closer to the 'center' of programming.

I'd also think about picking up some books to read outside of your certification path. "Design Patterns" should be read by every programmer, for example (and try not to become a zealot, heh).

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

Bamrak

It doesn't. I'm getting the concepts in class, but we are groomed to be able to pass certs along with the class lesssons.

Yakk,
I have nothing, I haven't even begun to learn anything outside of VBA and some realllly simple VB stuff.

Good advice, I'll start there. I'm still about a year out from any actual programming classes, so I'm planning on trying to pick up some of it.

Thank you for your time in this thread, it has helped!