[Tutor] Paython as a career

[Rajkumar. B]

Luke,

You have explained it beautifully !

Thanks & Regards
Rajkumar. B

---- On Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:17:44 -0700 OkaMthembo <zebra05 at gmail.com> wrote ---- 

 > 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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 > Lloyd Dube
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