So I recently started doing a Diploma in Information Technology online. I did my degree in finance but somehow ended up working in IBM, doing business system implementation, so now I want IT knowledge too, as I'm doing programming on the job too.

Originally I wanted to do a part-time Computer Science course, but I couldn't find one, so I went for this. I still feel that Computer Science would be better than IT... however I didn't have that choice.

So I wanna ask you guys, can programmers come from the IT side instead of the Comp Sci side and be as good? Perhaps I will read up on some algorithms myself after I finish the diploma.

Tarot

Canada440 Posts

December 01 2012 06:37 GMT

Definitely.

As long as you have the will and patience to learn (and boy is there a lot to learn).

haduken

Australia8267 Posts

December 01 2012 07:19 GMT

You can definitely become as good as a comp science grad however you will probably get blasted by seasoned programmers along the way lols as your code will be function but not elegant.

sevia

United States954 Posts

December 01 2012 08:02 GMT

A lot of what you learn from a comp sci degree isn't necessarily practical programming knowledge, and a lot of an IT degree isn't programming knowledge at all. Courses that introduce fundamental concepts (like data structures, object-oriented, networking, etc.) will be the most useful, but there will be a lot of fluff on either side (QA and tech support classes from IT, advanced algorithms and theoretical computing from CS).

CS might be slightly better from a coding perspective, but the degree isn't nearly as important as things like immersing yourself in programming communities, developing good coding style, communicating well, familiarizing yourself with relevant technologies, etc. Taking classes will help keep you in that mindset, but a lot of it is self-motivation.

spinesheath

Germany8679 Posts

December 01 2012 08:33 GMT

At least here in Germany, Comp Sci doesn't teach you how to program any more than any random 20 minute tutorial on the internet. You'll get hints on what you should read up on, but that's about it.
So if you're only interested in becoming a good programmer, I'd personally suggest that you try another route. But I have no idea what that would be aside from self-teaching via books/internet.

TG Manny

United States325 Posts

December 01 2012 08:37 GMT

Check out a textbook labeled "Clean Code". It is a paradigm of coding that is practical and removes a lot of silly frustration if you follow it. Its about accurate organization, description, and labeling of code. (IE using velocityAtTime rather than vT as a variable, one imparts better information than the other as you blindly read it etc).

As a CS student working in IT to pay the tuition CS is very much a theoretical degree and IT coding is very different. You'll find that the CS mindset prepares you more for the rigor that is needed to code well at a high level and give you more base knowledge of algorithms but may not overtly help you unless you're going to graduate school.

Takkara

United States2503 Posts

December 01 2012 16:07 GMT

Most of what I learned about design patters, good coding standards, and the technical ability to code, I learned after college. As long as you are diligent about reading blogs and books about the practice of software design and not just how-to code hacking books, you'll be as talented and capable as anyone that graduated from college.

Ultimately it is about motivation and ambition more than classes. Not to say the classes are worthless, but they aren't mandatory.

TG Manny

United States325 Posts

December 01 2012 19:09 GMT

On December 02 2012 01:07 Takkara wrote:
Most of what I learned about design patters, good coding standards, and the technical ability to code, I learned after college. As long as you are diligent about reading blogs and books about the practice of software design and not just how-to code hacking books, you'll be as talented and capable as anyone that graduated from college.

Ultimately it is about motivation and ambition more than classes. Not to say the classes are worthless, but they aren't mandatory.

This is a very important sentiment with all professions (outside of pure research and professional school IE M.D. and Lawyers) is that you can learn to be as good and better than your peers without the college degree if you teach yourself and keep yourself informed. CS is one of those pinnacles which is most obvious to point out.

If you learn everything around the profession (IE how to speak in front of small groups, documenting well, "seeming" busy all the time, general helpfulness) on top of the profession itself you'll go far, fast.

I don't have much experience. I am still in school, but I interact a lot with those who are in my profession who didnt study CS in any way, do a lot of outside study, etc, and my work experience reflects that and so does my paygrade.

targ

Malaysia445 Posts

December 03 2012 11:55 GMT

Thanks for all the advice guys. At the moment I feel I'm not too bad in thinking of logic and working around limitations of languages, but my code could be alot more efficient and organized. I'll probably get that book "Clean Code" that was recommended above.

dakalro

Romania525 Posts

December 03 2012 12:47 GMT

#10

On December 01 2012 15:21 targ wrote:
So I recently started doing a Diploma in Information Technology online. I did my degree in finance but somehow ended up working in IBM, doing business system implementation, so now I want IT knowledge too, as I'm doing programming on the job too.

Originally I wanted to do a part-time Computer Science course, but I couldn't find one, so I went for this. I still feel that Computer Science would be better than IT... however I didn't have that choice.

So I wanna ask you guys, can programmers come from the IT side instead of the Comp Sci side and be as good? Perhaps I will read up on some algorithms myself after I finish the diploma.

You already have a degree. Why get another useless degree (IT) only to, once again, learn by yourself? Just find a proper set of programming classes. Basic algo & stuff. If you already do programming basic courses may just clear some stuff up better.

targ

Malaysia445 Posts

December 03 2012 13:41 GMT

#11

On December 03 2012 21:47 dakalro wrote:

Show nested quote +

It's really an online course with a series of modules. I felt that it would be better to do it as if I relied completely on self-study I might miss out some things.