Becoming an Expert Programmer: Formal Education vs. Self-Learning

Is it possible to become an expert programmer without a formal education in computer science? Absolutely! Many successful programmers have achieved mastery through self-study and hands-on practice, rather than traditional classroom instruction.

Missing Oversight and Guidance

While you can certainly become an excellent programmer through self-teaching, you may miss out on the structured guidance and oversight that formal education provides. Without a formal computer science education, you might be unaware of subtle mistakes that could lead to serious issues down the line. This is particularly true when it comes to security vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and cross-site request forgery.

For example, there have been numerous instances where experienced programmers overlooked critical security defects due to a lack of awareness or knowledge. To illustrate, refer to this OWASP resource to learn about one of the most common security defects on the internet. Such defects are often created by programmers who missed a key piece of guidance that could have prevented them.

Types of Programming Jobs

Deciding on your future career in programming involves choosing what type of work you want to do. Here are some popular roles:

Web Development Specialization with one language: Java, Python, C, C , JavaScript, etc. Full-Stack Development Software Engineering Backend Development Network Engineering Cyber Security Data Science MACHINE Leaning and AI Engineering Blockchain Robotics Engineering Database Programming Cloud Computing

Depending on your interests and goals, you can choose to focus on one particular area or explore multiple domains. Each field has its own set of tools, frameworks, and languages. For instance, web development primarily involves front-end technologies (JavaScript, HTML, CSS) and back-end languages (Python, Node.js, etc.), while data science heavily relies on statistical analysis and machine learning algorithms.

Path to Expertise

Expertise in programming is a gradual process that involves exposure, learning, understanding theory, practice, and daily involvement. It typically takes around 10 years to become an expert in any subject. You can achieve expertise through various means:

Enrolling in training centers or boot camps Self-study and independent research Online courses and tutorials on platforms like W3Schools, W3Resource, TutorialPoint, JavaTPoint, SkillSound Foundation, Alison, FreeCodeCamp, Codecademy, Linda, Udemy, and others Viewing educational videos on YouTube channels focused on programming Reading PDFs, books, and guides Taking live courses on webinars and virtual platforms

It's important to gradually move from beginner to advanced level. Pick one path at a time and focus on achieving expertise within 3-6 months if you're targeting a specific course or certification. For a comprehensive learning journey, you might need 12 months or more.

How to Achieve Expertise

Becoming an expert in programming involves several steps:

Read everything you can about your chosen field Admit that you will likely start as a beginner and be okay with that Practice consistently and often, making it a regular part of your routine Regularly review your work and identify areas where you can improve Dedicate time to learning new skills to stay up-to-date with industry trends

While formal education and structured training can help make these steps less painful and faster, they are not the only way. Many successful programmers have achieved expertise through perseverance and hard work, relying on self-study and real-world experience.

Remember, your expectations should be realistic. Even a graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science might still be relatively mediocre compared to those with extensive work experience. However, with dedication and consistent effort, you can build a strong foundation and specialize in the area that interests you most.