bball3212

I am thinking about majoring in Computer Science and I am signed up for the classes etc.

But here is my concern. I dont have any programming experience in my life. I like computers, I mean I spend a lot of time on computers but I have never tried to learn programming or anything like that. Is this a major that, if I discipline myself, I can jump in and do good from hard work or do you think it requires background skills to even get anywhere?

Zeronax

If you are really passionate about learning the language, then go for it. It'll really help if you teach yourself by reading the books while learning from the classes. Also, know that this will get you a career in which you'll be sitting in front of a computer monitor for the rest of your life. Have fun.

commonsense

Many people don't have any programming experience starting out with CS. Though it's very helpful to have experience, it is in no way expected or required. You'll do fine if you work hard in your classes. You can also learn a lot outside of your classes through books and the web. There's a wealth of information out there concerning programming.

Kyt

Computer science and liking computers are completely different.

Computer science is largely the study of algorithms. If you like algorithms and tinkering with virtual problems, then computer science is a good match for you.

Many, many programmers out there are self taught. There are hundreds of websites with programming tutorials and is probably one of the easiest fields to get into because it requires very little equipment and monetary overhead. All you need is a computer (which most people have), Internet (which most people have), a compiler (which can be free), and a passion for programming.

scorp

google programming tutorial and learn some Java: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/
All the software you need to learn programming with Java is free.

But like Kyt said CS is not all about programming.

By the way I suggest you figure out what language your school uses in its first course and learn that one -- it might not be java.

justinmeche

With no prior experience, having a passion for it may be helpful. I went into CS with no experience I hated it after two years of trying to get good at it. Most of my classmates were very good and most had been self-taught in addition to taking some high school classes. I spent so much time trying to do my regular assignments that I didn't bother to try to learn other CS stuff on my own. I liked the idea of algorithms and writing code but I ultimately couldn't grasp it and I didn't want a job sitting at a computer all day. I ended up getting a mechanical engineering degree and now I work in a power plant.

A good way to get good at programming is to write programs that you create yourself. Come up with an idea and program it. Learning the mechanics of a language is easy. Knowing how to use the language in a creative way to solve a problem is where the skill is required.

quicksilver40133

With hard work and dedication, you'll do fine. Most curricula are geared towards people like you, anyway... people with prior experience just have a leg up, that's all. Any major is going to take lots of work if you want to excel. You'll do fine ;D

P.S. Just as an afterthought, I thought I'd just go ahead and say it. I go to bed every night hoping to get a job where all I do is sit at a comfy desk and stare at a computer 60 hours a week. I don't like the sun on my face, I don't like exercise, and I certainly don't like fresh air. Give it to me cold and recirculated, please. And there's certainly no hole in the ozone layer when you're basking in fluorescent light. So, for all you people who dismiss CS jobs as "sitting in front of a computer all day", I counter: I don't want to be a *insert non CS engineering profession here* because sitting is easier than moving and thus moving is dumb. Grrr.

pearlygate

@quicksilver
I agree, sitting in front of a computer on a comfy chair is better than working as a food scientist or a biologist or a chemist or any lab related science major where you do your experiments in a cramped space filled with many "potentially hazardous" chemical while STANDING (you can't mix reagents while sitting cant you ) and you almost always can't bring food while working so NO SNACKING while working. On the other hand you get a chance to play with cool million dollar equipments

scorp

In any case once those scientists are done in their labs (probably an hour or two per day for many of them) they go back to their computers to do the analasys and etc.. most scientific and engineering work is done on computers.

There is no scientific or engineering discipline that allows one to not use computers. In fact you can't do anything today without programming to some degree.

pearlygate

1-2 hours LOL, try 5-6 hours. most biologists in my former lab do multiple experiments at the same time and one experiment takes a long time. we might get 1-2 hours sitting in front of computer once everything is setup and running.

The guys who analyze the data are mostly statistician, engineer, comp sci majors.

justinmeche

My power plant job consists of being at my desk and out in the field. Time goes faster when I am out in the field but it can be so hot and loud out in the plant that being at a desk is a good break. Some of the engineers who have gone to the business side of the company complain that office life is somewhat boring for them but that is where the extra money is.