Devx
06-29-2001, 04:49 PM
Hello C++ developers. I am thirteen years old and I plan to become a
computer programmer. I have used Visual Basic and Visual C++ in my three
years of experience at developing software. I know the C++ language at an
intermediate level and I am still learning about it. I am a competent MFC
Windows developer and I know how to use Visual C++ 6.0. How, you might ask,
did someone this young learn C++ and Windows programming? Easily. I learned
it through almost three years of trial and error trying to get my programs
to work the way I wanted them to. All I use as a help line is the MSDN
Library and a few thin little books. Here are the steps I took to work my up
to where I am now:
--In the beginning, I started out in Visual Basic for Applications. I was
lost. I didn't know what to do or how to do it. But by using the help that
came with VB for Applications, I gained a little bit of knowledge. This
sparked my interest in becoming a real software developer. When I realized
that I could not create executable programs with VB for Applications, I went
out and bought my first Integrated Development Environment: Microsoft Visual
Basic 5.0 Learning Edition.
--When I got my first programming application, I was ecstatic. How cool! I
can create my own programs. But, creating your own programs is easier said
than done. Again, I struggled with programming. I decided to stick with it
and learn. After about a year, I had bought the VB Pro Edition and I was
creating my own useful VB apps. When I saw some of the disadvantages of VB,
I decided I had to move to the language the pros use: C++.
--When I purchased Visual C++ Standard Edition, I realized how complex C++
is. I started with the basics: console apps. From there, I worked my way up
until I got to Windows programming and MFC. I have been learning C++ and MFC
for the past two years and I am still working at it. It is a challenge, but
I am up to it. I now use Visual C++ Professional Edition to create
functional MFC apps.
I have accomplished all of this without any classes, tests, or assignments.
I have learned at my own pace and all the knowledge I have of programming
can be related to a real-life programming experience I have had during the
past three years. So, in summary, being a good programmer, the way I look at
it, requires being willing to help others, being creative, and above all
sticking to it.
Joseph V.
P.S. - Where would computers be without developers?
computer programmer. I have used Visual Basic and Visual C++ in my three
years of experience at developing software. I know the C++ language at an
intermediate level and I am still learning about it. I am a competent MFC
Windows developer and I know how to use Visual C++ 6.0. How, you might ask,
did someone this young learn C++ and Windows programming? Easily. I learned
it through almost three years of trial and error trying to get my programs
to work the way I wanted them to. All I use as a help line is the MSDN
Library and a few thin little books. Here are the steps I took to work my up
to where I am now:
--In the beginning, I started out in Visual Basic for Applications. I was
lost. I didn't know what to do or how to do it. But by using the help that
came with VB for Applications, I gained a little bit of knowledge. This
sparked my interest in becoming a real software developer. When I realized
that I could not create executable programs with VB for Applications, I went
out and bought my first Integrated Development Environment: Microsoft Visual
Basic 5.0 Learning Edition.
--When I got my first programming application, I was ecstatic. How cool! I
can create my own programs. But, creating your own programs is easier said
than done. Again, I struggled with programming. I decided to stick with it
and learn. After about a year, I had bought the VB Pro Edition and I was
creating my own useful VB apps. When I saw some of the disadvantages of VB,
I decided I had to move to the language the pros use: C++.
--When I purchased Visual C++ Standard Edition, I realized how complex C++
is. I started with the basics: console apps. From there, I worked my way up
until I got to Windows programming and MFC. I have been learning C++ and MFC
for the past two years and I am still working at it. It is a challenge, but
I am up to it. I now use Visual C++ Professional Edition to create
functional MFC apps.
I have accomplished all of this without any classes, tests, or assignments.
I have learned at my own pace and all the knowledge I have of programming
can be related to a real-life programming experience I have had during the
past three years. So, in summary, being a good programmer, the way I look at
it, requires being willing to help others, being creative, and above all
sticking to it.
Joseph V.
P.S. - Where would computers be without developers?