Computer programming, easy to self-teach?

I have very basic (meaning beginner, not the language) understanding of computer programming in C, C++, Visual Basic and a tiny bit of Java. I learned about it in college up until pointers and arrays, then I kind of lost interest.





Is this the kind of thing that I can learn on my own fairly easily, or is it usually best to take some kind of class? I'm interested in getting back into programming and eventually venturing into web programming (SQL, CGI, ColdFusion, Flash, yadda yadda yadda) and possibly even game programming. Where should I start? What should I do? There's so much to learn... I don't know where to begin.

Computer programming, easy to self-teach?
In 1984 I taught myself Basic on an Apple IIe. I didn't touch a computer again until 1997. Then I found a tech support position answering telephones with a company who was willing to pay me while I learned programming. I took classes and read everything I could find. I still do not have a college degree. Today I am a senior software engineer with over 10 years experience making more than $100k. You can do it too! The issue of classes versus reading books on your own really depends on you and your learning style but formal classes will help you stay in touch with modern trends and techniques. If I were you I would get on Monster.com and Dice.com and any other job site you can find. Get yourself an entry-level programming or tech support job and start reading and taking classes at the same time.





Technology jobs are going to increase a great deal over the next decade because so few people are interested in doing it. If you look you will find someone who is willing to take you on as an employee with minimal experience and let you learn on the job. Go for it. It is a high paying, casual and rewarding career and the industry needs young people who are interested and willing.
Reply:if you want to be a good programmer ..you need to start form c/c++ ... n must work hard ..but those fields u have mantioned ..web programming and game programmign are toally diff .... and leads to diff career .... so choose first what you want to do ..if you are creative but have no time to learn all about programming there are certain feilds that are interesting as well as easy like web designing/programing wich requires ASP/PHP knowledge ..they are not perfactly programming language and need not your core knowledge about programming like c/c++ and java ..so i prefer you to join certaing coaching classes about ASP and than PHP ...only if u r interested in web designing feild .if you want to be a perfact IT professional than you start from begining ...
Reply:You can learn it by yourself but you have to work very hard. In a class you will only learn some of it and they may not go over the C++ you want to know to make ________
Reply:Learning computer programming takes a lot of practice in order to familiarize oneself with the syntax of the programming language one wants to use as well as the common methods (no pun intended) used to solve problems / accomplish tasks through code.





Taking a programming class is, I have found, an effective means of learning a new programming language since it forces you to practice (by means of homework, assignments, …) everything you learn.


However, taking a class is not the only way to learn a language, and after a certain amount of programming experience, it may not even be necessary.





You said that you already have some programming experience in C/C++, VB, and Java. So you should already be very familiar with the concepts which are common to all languages, for example you already know about using variables, loops, and so forth…..you might only know how to use them in one of two languages, but you know when and why you would use them. After one knows the ‘theory’, the rest is just syntax which is specific to the language and is almost trivial.


A programming class will try to teach the student the ‘theory’ using examples in a specific language. But if you already know the theory, the hard part is done and all you need is a reference book to see how to properly tell the computer what you want it to do in the particular language you are using.





So I would not recommend (or rather, I don’t feel that it is necessary) going through all the trouble of taking a class just to learn a particular language. Of course, if you are shaky in your ‘theoretical’ programming knowledge, then a class would certainly not hurt. Otherwise, I think with a good How-To / Reference book, one could (with some self-discipline) learn the language on their own.


Practice is the key....you cannot simply read the reference book as one might a novel, one needs to actually program in order to reinforce the lessons.





Now, you also mentioned going into game design. Designing / Programming games involves more than just a basic knowledge of the language one wants to use. Game programming can be a bit more advanced, especially when it comes to doing some of the fancier things one finds in games these days with 3D graphics and what-not. One generally does not learn these techniques in Intro to programming courses or books. There are Game Programming books out there too aimed at different skill levels which one might also consider, but if one is confident in their knowledge of a particular language and is an able non-game programmer, it might be worth one’s while to take a game programming class.
Reply:Hells yeah man, go for it by yourself. Programming classes never teach it at the right pace, and they don't always go into depth enough. Some stuff, like pointers, is pretty boring, but it's necessary to learn. Get through that sh-- and you'll start learning the cool stuff like networking, graphics, etc.





C++ and Java are where it's at. PHP is awesome for web programming, as is Ruby on Rails, so decide between those two (Java can also be used for web programming but it sucks).








Oh, and stay away from that Micro$oft sh--- (ASP and .NET). Trust me on that one.
Reply:I've learned alot about computers, through books for dummies, Lol,. Easy books to learn from step by step, and many have CD's with demo's, etc.....





But I prefer the class enviroment, because I can interact act with other students, and ask the teacher or other students questions if I get stumped, also instructors know what needs to be taught for a student to be proficient in programming, so a student doesn't have to spend alot of time in unnecessary subjects.