Basic Programming cert?

Hi

I would like to know if there is any programming certification out there? I have practically NO knowledge of programming except HTML and CSS which is basically not exactly programming. So is there any way in which I can get a little taste of programming to figure whether it is the right thing for me or no.

Thanks

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NinjaBoy

I would recommend going back to college and do the intro to programming (or level 1 and 2 programming).

I do not believe there are professional programming certs out there for the beginner (but I have been wrong in the past)

-ken

Dingdongbubble

I am in high school right now. So the basics of programming should be taught in a Univ program? Is there no self study way so that I am ready for Univ? oh and actually i wanted to do programming to figure out whether software engineering would be a good choice for me.

NinjaBoy

I actually went to college first and studied programming before going to University to do my BSc Computing (Software Engineering).

You could get a few books and a programming language and self-study. Books like the Dummies series (they are quite helpful especially if you don't have any previous knowledge (they helped me alot). You can download "free" version of Microsoft programming languages here, they are the express versions (so not the full versions) but still powerful. That includes VB .Net express, C# .Net express, etc.

-ken

eMeS

Dingdongbubble wrote:

I am in high school right now. So the basics of programming should be taught in a Univ program? Is there no self study way so that I am ready for Univ? oh and actually i wanted to do programming to figure out whether software engineering would be a good choice for me.

The first programming class I ever took was in high school. Basic followed by Pascal.

Does your high school offer any programming classes?

Another option is that many junior colleges will allow high school students to enroll in classes.

From a standpoint of certification, you could look at the Sun Certified Java Associate (SCJA) offered by SUN at http://www.sun.com/training/certification/java/scja.xml

Object-oriented concepts can be a little challenging, but if you're possibly interested in programming at this time in your life then you will likely rise to the challenge.

MS

dynamik

While they aren't often discussed on this site, there are web development certifications available. You may want to start there if that's your interest: http://www.ciwcertified.com/certifications/program.asp

Also, if you're new to programming, check out Python. It's a great way to get started. Many of the concepts will apply to other languages, and it is actually extremely functional and useful on it's own.

You can download here:http://www.python.org/

I'm sure there are many free resources available online, but if you like a written resource, check this out: http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-3rd-Mark-Lutz/dp/0596513984/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205940166&sr=8-2

Another forum member recently turned me on to Python, and I've had some fun with it.

Dingdongbubble

The reason I want to get into programming is to find out whether it is somehting which interests mea t all. I tried learning a new language. But I didnt really understand whats going on and what i am doing so I got bored and demotivated very very quickly. Atleast I understand whats going on when I learn about Networking.

There was no sense of direction.

I am not completely sure but I THINK my school does teach programming in grade 12/13. But for that I will have to opt for IT as a subject. Believe me but the standards are VERY low. The teachers are absolute crap (no offense). We students end up teaching them. They ahve no management and teaching skills. They dont know what they are teaching lol. If I just got through one of Trainsignals or VTCs Microsoft Office packages, I would be in a position o teach them. I mean the standards are one of the lowest I ahve seen and are unbelievably low. I ahve no faith in them.

In fact I dont want to take the subject IT primarily because of the teachers and low standards. Its taken them 3 or more years of classes to teach us Microsoft Office in which I got less than desirable marks.

I dont want to go into web development but rather into a proper programming language. Java sounds interestign and so does Python. But the problem here is that I dont understand whats going on so I get bored quickly. Maybe if someone can tel me what connection a programming language has with the programs I see on my screen, I would be mroe interested.

The University program I plan to go to will teach me programming I think.

BigTone

While I haven't gone through it... though one Day I plan to...

This is supposed to be a great book... Its C...

http://www.amazon.com/Primer-Plus-5th-Stephen-Prata/dp/0672326965/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205956929&sr=8-1

At the end of each chapter you write a program and it helps to enforce the lessons you've learned...

Same guy also puts out a C++ Primer...

Daniel333

Dingdongbubble,

I am going to recommend you take a month and play with Visual Basic. www.vtc.com is a great site, then back it up with Visual Basic in 24 hours. You'll have a basic idea of what programming is about.

Personally, I got my 2 year degree in computer science and went straight back to a history major, couldn't stand programming.

After you have the basics of VB down, try using it in Microsoft Office products and in web delvelopment. I think you'll find there is a lot more in Access and Internet Explorer than they generally talk about in your standard Microsoft Office classes. From there you can start hammering out ASP and SQL code and making message boards and games pretty easy.

If you know the basics of computer graphics Dark Basic can be a lot of fun too. But there is only one book for it, and it's kind of expensive.

Anyhow, as far as programming ceritifications go. Sun offers a Java Associate (http://www.sun.com/training/certification/java/scja.xml), I hear it takes a good 6 months of studying to get ready for it. And Java isn't as fun as VB IMHO. Microsoft offers a few certs in Programming as well, but they are even harder (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/sixsteps.mspx , http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/winapps/default.mspx ).

good luck,

JDMurray

I would only recommend studying for any programming certification only after you have a solid year of programming experience under your belt. Microsoft has certs for C# and VB.NET (Visual basic 2005), and Sun has their Java certs. If you want to develop applications, any of those would be a good first language to try.

If you just want to "taste" programming, I'd suggest staying in the Web environment and experiment with JavaScript, PerlScipt, PythonScript, or PHP.

hypnotoad

The Comp Sci curriculum of most universities (running the gamut from big public research schools to small private schools or community colleges) usually consists of CS I and CS II (sometimes CS III), where they teach you the fundamentals of programming in a language (or a couple) of their choosing.

VB, C++, Java, Pascal are probably the most popular CS I and II languages, but a few schools take the theory that once you learn the foundations of programming (how compilers work, loops, data structures, input/output), you'll be able to pick up other languages fairly easily. Some schools teach in esoteric languages or academic/research languages, while others get you right in to try to write code that would be used in the real world. Or you could take the MIT approach and teach all the kids LISP (http://www.aduni.org/courses/ or find the videos for "structure and interpretation of computer programs").

Some good schools (MIT, Berkeley, a few others) also have an Open CourseWork model where you can get access to their online coursework for free (ocw.mit.edu i believe).

Goldmember

I would say the best beginning programming cert right now is

Sun Certified Java Associate

http://www.sun.com/training/certification/java/scja.xml

Entry level application development with Java

hypnotoad

I also forgot to mention that public libraries have books, too.

Slowhand

If you're looking to get certified on a particular programming language/tool or another, check out Sun's and Microsoft's offerings. If you're just looking to get a taste for software development and want to start out with a fun project, give Learn to Program the Fun Way a look. It uses Visual C# 2005 Express Edition, which is free to download, and takes you through the processes of creating two games, one 2D and one 3D. It's geared towards beginners or those new to C#, and no prior programming experience is necessary, (but they do recommend that you play with C#, or another C-based language, a little bit before diving into the projects).

Dingdongbubble

Thanks everyone. I dont really need a cert but I thought it would be good so that I had a sense of direction and achievement when I pass it. But its not necessary. I just want to get a taste of programming while understanding whats going on.