Computer programmers!!!!!!

[QuA]

I was thinking about going into computer science but was wondering whats the hottest kind of programming right now? I have a couple friends that graduated from Computer Science at U of C and they havent even found any jobs. I havent kept up with programming... just hardware, but I'm thinking about going [H] into it again.

QuA

[Billip]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

I was thinking about going into computer science but was wondering whats the hottest kind of programming right now? I have a couple friends that graduated from Computer Science at U of C and they havent even found any jobs. I havent kept up with programming... just hardware, but I'm thinking about going [H] into it again.

QuA

Kor is probably your best resource on this topic because he is doing his Masters in Computer Science. I am a Java developer downtown. Definately get into Object Oriented software development if you're interested in programming... Java, C#, etc. The market for application developers was totally in the crapper for the last few years, but it's starting to pick up again.

[bart]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

java is only good in the form of fluids. lol

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

ummmmm Starbucks, oops sorry I have nothing else to add on this

[Mr. Burns]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

I like programming when I am having trouble getting to sleep, by my third or fourth line of code it's lights out!

[Billip]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

java is only good in the form of fluids. lol

Don't listen to Bart... he only likes scriptable languages like PHP! Hahaha. Try building an enterprise caliber system in PHP and maintaining it when you're done... good luck.

[Kor]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

Thinking about what the 'hot' technology is may not be the best aproach. If you are thinking about a University degree, it will take you at least four years. I do not think that the current hot market skills will be the same in four years - in fact I know that it is impossible to predict beyond 1-2 years in the future. Also, if you are studying a certain 'hot' area because you plan to 'cash in', I think that at this point the job market is poor for new grads without very specialized knowledge or work experience. You will not get either from an undergraduate degree.

That being said, I can still try to answer your question.

I don't claim know the state of the whole computer science field, since my own interests are fairly specialized. However, I would say that right now there is pretty good interest in web services and similar technologies. In Calgary there is high demand for experienced .NET developers for example. There is also industry interest in Canada and the US for software developers who can write applications and games for mobile devices (cell phones, PDAs, etc).

If you can become more specialized then you will find it easier to get a job. For instance if you can get into medical or biological applications of computer science then this is very desirable. However, you would almost need 2 degrees or at least a graduate degree for this.

Edit: Bill knows what he is talking about There is only a small market for scripting or low-level languages these days. I also agree with him that good Object Oriented programmers are still rare and therefore in demand. Sadly, real object-oriented programming is pretty much neglected in most degree programs I have heard about including at the UofC. Aspect-oriented programming may also be a new paradigm on the horizon.

[bart]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

here you go, a simple test i came up with to see which language is better, java or php, lol.

<?php
$java = fopen("javahelloworld.java");
$php = fopen("phphelloworld.php");

if(strlen($php)<strlen($java)) {
    echo "Php is better.";
} else {
    echo "Java is better.";
}
?>

[QuA]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

Got a Marketing, Computer Technology, Network Engineer diploma's from SAIT and 2 years for my Computer Science Degree. BOOYEAH

QuA

Thinking about what the 'hot' technology is may not be the best aproach. If you are thinking about a University degree, it will take you at least four years. I do not think that the current hot market skills will be the same in four years - in fact I know that it is impossible to predict beyond 1-2 years in the future. Also, if you are studying a certain 'hot' area because you plan to 'cash in', I think that at this point the job market is poor for new grads without very specialized knowledge or work experience. You will not get either from an undergraduate degree.

That being said, I can still try to answer your question.

I don't claim know the state of the whole computer science field, since my own interests are fairly specialized. However, I would say that right now there is pretty good interest in web services and similar technologies. In Calgary there is high demand for experienced .NET developers for example. There is also industry interest in Canada and the US for software developers who can write applications and games for mobile devices (cell phones, PDAs, etc).

If you can become more specialized then you will find it easier to get a job. For instance if you can get into medical or biological applications of computer science then this is very desirable. However, you would almost need 2 degrees or at least a graduate degree for this.

Edit: Bill knows what he is talking about There is only a small market for scripting or low-level languages these days. I also agree with him that good Object Oriented programmers are still rare and therefore in demand. Sadly, real object-oriented programming is pretty much neglected in most degree programs I have heard about including at the UofC. Aspect-oriented programming may also be a new paradigm on the horizon.

[Billip]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

here you go, a simple test i came up with to see which language is better, java or php, lol.

<?php
$java = fopen("javahelloworld.java");
$php = fopen("phphelloworld.php");

if(strlen($php)<strlen($java)) {
    echo "Php is better.";
} else {
    echo "Java is better.";
}
?>

Hahaha. If it were only so easy.

[bart]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

lol, i know there are differences, and java you can do more stuff, php is only script like you said, and its not really object oriented which i kinda hate anyway, for most stuff, you can do it easier in php. thats all.

[RobTheGob]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

I think a Computer Engineering degree is a very good compromise between HW and SW. You can usually get a good job (or will soon as the tech slump ends) right out of school.

If you went to UVic you could live by the ocean and have Co-op!

[Smartiepants]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

Bah go to waterloo!!

[Kor]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

Bah go to waterloo!!

If you want to do computer engineering I would definitely go to Waterloo - I know a guy who just graduated from there and he also got a lot of work experience as part of his degree! Great deal. However, I do not think that you get much software-related knowledge compared to taking computer science.

[RobTheGob]

Re: Computer programmers!!!!!!

Bah go to waterloo!!

Waterloo is a great school and I've known some very good people that have come out of there, but having to live in Ontario to attend wouldn't cut it for me...