On Fri, Jul 18, 2003 at 07:25:32AM -0500, B_o_B wrote: > Hi All. I am somewhat new to the Twin Cities area. I am interested > in taking a few programming classes. Hmmm... I would agree with some of the other members on the list that programming classes aren't always that useful, but it highly depends upon what your current knowledge base is and how well you learn on your own. I have always thought it would be an interesting exercise to have a local programming special interest group get together to discuss projects that individuals might be working on. Compile your list of questions as you're working on your pet project and bounce the ideas off people in-person. The best way to learn how to code is find a project that interests you and participate. If there's a program that hasn't been written, or has been written poorly, roll up your sleeves and dive in. It's generally better to start coding and use books or instructors as guide. Computer programming is basically scripted algebra. If you're OK with algebra, you should be OK with programming. There are a ton of good books out there for just about any programming language you want to try. Python, perl, ruby, java, C, C++ (leave this one for last). > Can anyone recommend the name of some schools or tech colleges that > might offer programming classes. Dakota Tech has some useful courses once and a while. I would agree with someone who suggested sitting in on classes at the U (without notifying anyone until you get kicked out). An attentive professor may notice that you never show up to the tests, but not always. You could get away with this in entry level CS classes, probably. I'd be careful not to sign up for a Microsoft-centric course or school, lest you be sucked over to the dark-side. -- Chad Walstrom <chewie at wookimus.net> http://www.wookimus.net/ assert(expired(knowledge)); /* core dump */ -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 240 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://shadowknight.real-time.com/pipermail/tclug-list/attachments/20030718/c9a5980a/attachment.pgp