Some Help on Changing IT Positions 3

[Bandenjamin]

Hey everyone. I'm in need of some serious help on deciding the next steps in my career. I'll layout what i've already done/got.

Degree: Completed AA in business w/ concentration in IT
***Do have plans to continue education, either at Portland State University for AIU Online (leaning toward PSU)

Work Experience: 7 years in support for a very large retail company doing Desktop, Email, Citrix, POS, and a mirade of other applications/systems. A little bit of development experinece in the last two years with MS Access.

I guess my question is really what should I focus my efforts on learning first. I've dabbled a little with C, C++, C#, Java, and Visual Basic. I would say (due to my experience with Access) that I am most versed in VB.

What is the best one to start off with? I really would like to get in to application development/programming, but am a litle concerned with how many different languages there are.

Any and all advice is welcome and greatly appreciated.

Dan

 

[finalee]

Hi db84799.

I was in a similar position to you, i.e. I knew VBA for Access inside out but not full VB.
I found it very, very easy to pick-up using a Learn VB in 24 Hours book.

All the best.

Legal IT Jobs:

http://www.legalitjobs.net

Financial IT Jobs:

http://www.financialitjobs.net

 

[AlexCuse]

I got frustrated trying to make the move from vb6 to vb.net, so decided to try and learn C# instead. While I am not all the way there yet, I am doing fairly well with C#. I also know enough about the framework now that I could probably write anything I want in vb.net (but I am hooked on C#'s syntax). So, if you decide to go with C#, it is almost like learning two languages for the price of one (was for me anyways).

Good Luck!

Alex

Ignorance of certain subjects is a great part of wisdom

 

[Bandenjamin]

Thanks for the valuable insights. I'm really leaning hard toward C# right now. Have a great book and plan to try and get through most of it next week when I have a break between classes. ;-)

Dan

 

[AlexCuse]

Just out of curiosity, what C# book is it that you have? I will probably be looking for a more advanced one soon (although I have classes starting soon, so where will I find the time )

Ignorance of certain subjects is a great part of wisdom

 

[Bandenjamin]

I couldn't find the EXACT one that i have, but this is the second addition, hope it helps.


Learning C#


Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ WOO HOO what a ride!

 

[KornGeek]

My personal opinion is that it is far more important to understand programming concepts than an individual language. The languages change every few years, but the concepts stay (more or less) the same. Also, once you've learned a couple of languages, making the transition to another one is easier if you've got a good grasp of the fundamentals.

However, even when learning the fundamentals, you have to practice in a language. C# and VB.Net seem to be the most in-demand right now, so I'd start there.

For books, I'm partial to Sams Publishing's Teach Yourself series myself. I like the pacing, style, and content of the ones I've used.

 

[AlexCuse]

I like the Sams series myself KornGeek. THats' what I used for C#

Ignorance of certain subjects is a great part of wisdom

 

[Bandenjamin]

Thanks KornGeek, Guess I've got some shopping to do

Dan

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ WOO HOO what a ride!