[Tutor] Paython as a career

[OkaMthembo]

Luke, i think you gave a more balanced answer :)

On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 10:45 AM, Luke Paireepinart
<rabidpoobear at gmail.com>wrote:

> You should not choose a specific programming language and start a career in
> it.  If you want a career in programming you need to learn a great deal
> about computer science (the theory).  One of the things you will learn in
> your studies is that programming languages are just the tools, and you
> leverage them to create great software.  Therefore you shouldn't need to
> "know" how used a programming language is - if you understand how
> programming works, you can choose a language to specialize in (for example,
> I use Python for all my personal projects because I feel like the language
> design is better than most others), but I am grounded enough in the theory
> that I am not tied to Python.  For example, I worked a 6-month internship
> where the main programming language was C#, and they used all Microsoft
> tools.  I'd never used C# or the tools, but within a week or two, I was able
> to familiarize myself with their codebase and start working on it at a
> fairly competent level.  Now it would take a while for me to become as
> productive in C# as I am in Python, just based on my ability to recall so
> much information about Python without having to look at reference material.
> If you're really asking us which language has the largest job market, Python
> is definitely not the answer to that question?  Can you find jobs in
> Python?  Sure, if you are determined and you look hard enough.  But as far
> as widespread use, I'd say C/C++, Java, and C# are still the reigning
> programming languages.  That's just my personal opinion and I didn't consult
> any statistical sources for that.
>
> What it all boils down to is this:  Programming is difficult.  If you like
> to spend your free time solving mathematical equations and doing logic
> problems, it might be for you.  If you like to spend your free time fixing
> up your car, or something, you'd probably do better to choose a different
> career.  I think you will not be very successful if you try to pick up a
> programming career on a whim, as a side income.  If you are not committed
> enough to either study it in school or learn it really well at a job, you
> will not be successful.  Especially if your boss is a programmer, it is very
> clear after only a short while at a job whether you are a competent
> programmer, and unless you find yourself in a very poorly run company, you
> won't be able to skirt by.  You'll have to know what you're doing.
>
> That having been said, for people of a certain mindset, programming is
> extremely enjoyable and a rewarding field to be in.  If you are interested
> in Python because you are interested in the things you can do with it,
> rather than being interested in it because it is a potential source of
> revenue, start playing around with it and learning it.  Do some projects.
> Ask us lots of questions.  And if you still like it after completing
> something substantial, then start thinking about it in terms of a career
> path.
>
> That's my 2 cents, of course you have no obligation to take my advice.  I
> hope it helps you one way or the other.
> Good luck.
> -Luke
>
> On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 1:37 AM, Hussain Ali <
> hussainali.hussainali at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>  Dear all
>>
>> I want to start learning python but before going further I need answer to
>> my
>> questions so that my path can be clear to me. I shall be grateful for your
>> answers:
>>
>> 1) Where does python stand as compared to other programming languages?
>> 2) What is the future for python?
>> 3) Will it survive for long in this rapidly changing trends and new
>> languages?
>> 4) Should I start it to earn my bread and butter? I mean is that
>> beneficial for income.
>>
>>
>> Sincerely
>>
>> Hussain
>>
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>
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-- 
Lloyd Dube
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