What can i do with the knowledge of computer programming?

ok lets just say i know computer programming...what can i do with it? what excactly is computer programming? thanks in advance

What can i do with the knowledge of computer programming?
Computer programming allows you to make stuff. Programs, games, stuff like that.





Whatever you're using to view this page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari), is a program, and was written by programmers. So was Windows Media Player, MSN, World of Warcraft, Tetris, and a whole pile of other games and programs.





Programming can be tough sometimes when you've got a really difficult task to accomplish, but it can also give you a rush when you finally figure it out, and it can be a really fun challenge. Not only that, if you program games you can get to play them afterwards, or even sell them to make money. Plus it just sounds cool to say "I'm a computer programmer". :)





Some good things to look at to get started:





Game Maker - Beginner's game making tool, this will teach you the basics on stuff, and is REALLY easy. I started with this :) - http://www.gamemaker.nl





Visual Basic .net - Medium/Intermediate/Hard - This can be used for all sorts of programming. After you've gotten the hang of Game Maker, move to this. Alot of people program with it, and there's tons of stuff on the Internet (tutorials, examples, etc.) on the Internet for it. - http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/expres...





Also, if you're REALLY adventurous, read up on C or C++. They're "programming languages", but they're really complicated. I wouldn't start with them, but look at them. Alot of professional programmers know how to program in C or C++ and if you decide to go to University they'll probably teach you one of these two (along with a "modern" language such as Java, or Pascal, but don't concern yourself with those).





I realize this answer is long, but I hope it's helpful :)
Reply:Hi. I made a living out of programming machines to inspect jet engine parts. If you want to enter manufacturing (a tough business) then learn how to read a blueprint or spec. If you like programming games (I used to for fun) then you need some artistic and social skills.
Reply:the ability to perform critical thinking and problem solving is a very useful skill to have.





you could use that "skill" and take it to a large company and stream line their shipping department saving them millions of dollars a year, just an example...
Reply:You can program. You can do so as a job though these days you will have difficulting getting over $70 per hour and more typically $35. You will understand technology at a far more holistic level and be better able to specify computer systems or work with those who are developing them. You will also be better able to do analytical work and pick up tasks where an Excel macro or similar short script is required. You will understand the possiblilies of automating workflows or at least have the opportunity to understand.
Reply:I'm an automotive engineer, but for "fun" I've written some software programs at home. One thing you could try is learning web application development.





I think Microsoft's Visual Studio .Net is the best thing to come along in a long time. You can develop Windows apps, mobile apps (PDA's), and websites. The cool thing about website development with .NET is that you're basically writing applications, not websites. They just happen to run on the internet.





You could try to come up with a project that other people might actually want to use. The monthly rates for hosting an ASP.NET website can be pretty cheap, so it's pretty easy to at least break even.





I created a golf league management website ( http://www.imagolfer.com ) using .NET to help out a friend running his golf league, but it's becoming very popular with leagues all over the country. Also, with web applications you can add new features and they're instantly available to all of your users. Making updates to traditional software applications can be a real pain trying to distribute to everyone, especially if they're bug fixes and their computers aren't connected to the internet.





You can download a free version of Visual Studio from Microsoft. The free version doesn't let you develop websites, unfortunately, but it will give you an idea of the interface. It includes Visual Basic (fully Object Oriented), C++, C# and J#.





I hope this helps, and good luck!





- Rich