How To Teach Myself Programming?

programming skills are mainly a function of how many lines of code you've written

1.) get a good book 2.) practice at:

http://uva.onlinejudge.org/ OR http://www.topcoder.com/ OR work on some projects that interest you

It depends. Are you just learning a new language, or are you learning programming from scratch in general?

Learning a new language. (I have very limited experience with SAS.)

Econ, what are you trying to learn? What language do you have in mind?

To be honest, I don't have anything super specific in mind, at least not yet. I just want to play around with some language (probably Python or C++) because it seems like a useful skill to have.

If you are looking at C or C++, I would start with Deitel and Deitel's How to Program. That's the best recommendation I have for anyone starting with C/C++, Visual Basic and Java. Hell, they even have Python. I think they are the best way to learn on your own and develop a fundamental understanding of the language. I happen to have an older version of their C++, a 2nd Edition C#, Visual Basic.Net and Java sitting in my parents house from when i wanted to learn how to Code and i would recommend this particular set of books to anyone. Hands down.

what is C++ useful for in a Front office IB role? I never really understood what bankers need this skills for, yet I always see decent resumes with "C++" under technical skills.

someone shed some light

In your experiences, what are the most useful programming languages for consulting/finance (if any)? Which are the easiest to learn?

I've taken the Warren Buffet route. Fuck technology, I'll get my nerdy Asian friend to do all the computer work. Tech stocks are usually overpriced, and I don't understand most new technological concepts. If you don't understand something it's not usually a good idea to invest in it. Plus, too many "game changers" appear in tech every single day to make any safe sort of investment.

Read the books! And see video tutorials, too. These help a lot especially when debugging.

SQL, PHP and HTML are some good languages to start with. You can build simple websites, and with php/sql, web applications which allow you to make forms, store data, etc. Easy, simple, and very useful.

I was told my programming skills/knowledge show up in how I build an excel file (how it is structured, etc.). So I guess it's kind of useful outside of IT/CS type work.

abacab: good to know

I've found that the easiest way to learn is to decide on a program you want to make. And then learn how to make it.

The only kind of programming I'm doing in trading is Excel VBA. Never used it before but having used C++ and MATLAB extensively in school, it's easy to pick up.

I'd say that you first decide why do you want to learn programming. And after that you can pick a language, some books and write tons of code. For recommendations on programs, I'd recommend something interesting, like a game. But you shall decide it by yourself.

Another idea is to get in a company and see what they use. Usually they have tutorials and tons of codes to read, and you'd be pushed to learn it as quick as possible. I'd say that the time needed to learn a language that your boss want you to learn is significantly shorter than learning it for "fun".

Books! Books! and Books! You gotta read!

1) MIT Opencourseware

2) Focus on 2 things: VBA (for Excel) and Web-based programming (PHP/MySQL)

3) You can't learn just by reading. You learn by doing. Find tutorials and build your own applications from scratch. Find a programming forum and ask questions. When you get stuck, google for an answer. That's how I learned.

Does anybody know if there are any CS degrees that you can get in one year (preferably grad, but undergrad would work too)? Or, are there any master's programs which don't require a CS background? Are CS online degrees a complete waste of time?

By the way, I'm just asking. I'm not necessarily going to do it, I'm just curious what is out there. If one is interested in being a startup junkie, it seems getting a CS degree might be more valuable than an MBA. Or maybe doing a one year MBA in addition to the CS degree.

Perhaps something along these lines:

http://sdm.mit.edu/admission/certificate/index.html

Thanks LIBOR. SB for you!

youtube they have very good tutorials it is gunna take time i would just do a few projects from a book aday while doing youtube videos

pratice makes perfects also WRITE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO ON PAPER FIRST make psedo code will help you develop more efficent code

Php is very easy to learn. C++ is one of the harder languages to learn but once you grasp C++, everything else will be easy. I wouldn't recommend to start with C/C++ Python,Java are all good. Php is much easier. As others have said you learn by doing. Pickup a simple project or colloborate with like minded people to develop something simple.