Programming skills - born or made?

[Jarhead]

I feel the same as brnaco when it comes to programming. My first intro to it was when I decided to learn a little C++ for the robotics team I was on. Was taught by a friend in the team and he wasn't exactly cut for teaching lol, as all of us were confused to some extent. Then I bought a For Dummies book on it, learned a little more, but still don't know the complex stuff.

Then I went to Visual Basic .NET and learned better in the traditional classroom environment, but yet again I don't know enough for the real world. Biggest problem of that class was that we weren't taught how to store data from an application (maybe something like File > Save As); when I wrote a program for my robotics team, I ended up using Excel as the heavy-lifter and my program ended up being a messy memory hog.

[Sphinx]

I feel the same as brnaco when it comes to programming. My first intro to it was when I decided to learn a little C++ for the robotics team I was on. Was taught by a friend in the team and he wasn't exactly cut for teaching lol, as all of us were confused to some extent. Then I bought a For Dummies book on it, learned a little more, but still don't know the complex stuff.

Then I went to Visual Basic .NET and learned better in the traditional classroom environment, but yet again I don't know enough for the real world. Biggest problem of that class was that we weren't taught how to store data from an application (maybe something like File > Save As); when I wrote a program for my robotics team, I ended up using Excel as the heavy-lifter and my program ended up being a messy memory hog.

Sadly classes in general and especially syntax classes will not even scratch the surface of what you need to know for the real world. Its the combo of syntax classes, theory classes and personal research/knowledge that will give you a good chunk of what you need to enter the work force. Sadly school alone even if done right will not give you knowledge you need and extracurricular coding and research are needed.

All the professional coding I have done (pretty limited) showed me all this. I thouhgt I had a great grasp on logic and syntax until I left the classroom. Same goes for IT and networking.

[Sonicjet]

Some are learned but a large number of good coders have a very specific personality type, Myers Briggs type format says mostly the "NT" trait, The I Causes more experience (less social), and "J"s have better diligence, "P"s have more creative plans.
I'm an INTP, and honestly, I find it extremely easy and enjoyable (Been messing with combining stuff recently JavaScript+Canvas+ Android = ), but that is the honest truth, not trying to brag or anything like that.

[Sphinx]

Some are learned but a large number of good coders have a very specific personality type, Myers Briggs type format says mostly the "NT" trait, The I Causes more experience (less social), and "J"s have better diligence, "P"s have more creative plans.
I'm an INTP, and honestly, I find it extremely easy and enjoyable (Been messing with combining stuff recently JavaScript+Canvas+ Android = ), but that is the honest truth, not trying to brag or anything like that.

Ill have to take a look at this personality type format you speak of. But I do agree its more ingrained then most give credit.

As for canvas my local community college uses a canvas webpage for enhancing things. Not too shabby.

Edit: Ok so I took a look and it seems Im cross between ISTP and INTP.

I seem to have equal traits in both N and S like:

Using common sense and creating practical solutions is automatic-instinctual - S trait
Memory recall is rich in detail of facts and past events - S trait

Mentally live in the Future, attending to future possibilities - N trait
Best improvise from theoretical understanding - N trait

I also have a great imagination, but I dont think Im very creative person.

[Jarhead]

According to humanmetrics (first link to the MB test), I'm INTJ (39, 50, 38, 67). I really shouldn't be surprised, since I don't mind being alone and I can be a bit judgmental >.<

[Sphinx]

According to humanmetrics (first link to the MB test), I'm INTJ (39, 50, 38, 67). I really shouldn't be surprised, since I don't mind being alone and I can be a bit judgmental >.<

I went through that test and it told me ENTJ and one of the descriptions was Field Marshall LOL. But it said one of my technical fields suited for me is programming and I take that as another good sign that its for me.

[redrazor11]

Being a senior in computer science, I've come to realize that the best programmers are the ones who enjoy it. Unfortunately, not many people enjoy crunching numbers, or spending hours tracking down the source of a bug. Far too often this is what a beginner will associate with programming. Sifting through blocks of text looking for the character they typed wrong .

Luckily just about anything can be created with a little imagination...so it's just a matter of finding something that you enjoy enough to sledge through the bugs and learning process.

For example, even though it can be extremely tedious to program a game...most would agree that the outcome (enjoyable) is worth the effort (maybe not so enjoyable).

[Johnny T]

Even the smartest programmers have to learn syntax and at first syntax is what blocks most budding programmers. If you understand the logic somewhat then its only a matter of learning the tools and how to mold them into working the logic the most effective way possible.

^That.

Personally I am not much of a programmer (in my last year of a civil engineering degree), but I do enjoy problem solving aspect of it. Sphinx is right about learning the "tools", as with most problem solving, you need to understand and know how to use the tools available to you in order for you to effectively solve the problem.

Being a senior in computer science, I've come to realize that the best programmers are the ones who enjoy it. Unfortunately, not many people enjoy crunching numbers, or spending hours tracking down the source of a bug. Far too often this is what a beginner will associate with programming. Sifting through blocks of text looking for the character they typed wrong .

Luckily just about anything can be created with a little imagination...so it's just a matter of finding something that you enjoy enough to sledge through the bugs and learning process.

For example, even though it can be extremely tedious to program a game...most would agree that the outcome (enjoyable) is worth the effort (maybe not so enjoyable).

That gets me everytime!

[s1ice]

Both natural ability and practice are factors, much like in mathematics. I agree that the barrier to entry is the tediousness of the syntax.

This is somewhat unrelated but I love this description:
Programming is the art of teaching a computer to solve problems.

[N1L]

Programming is just like any other skills. There is always room for improvements. Some are faster than others, because some are just good in math and logic. I think the idea behind them remain the same to fulfill the objective of programming. I would lean toward the "made" skill side. Seriously there are many ways to program a single operation. While the talented or born with skill person may know how to solve it fast, but the one with more experience + skill, will know which one would be better for it. I just love programming, I really don't care if it's born or made, I just want to improve as much as I can.



INTJ - Keirsey Temperament Website - Portrait of the Rational Mastermind (INTJ)
Computer Programming was my first career choice. Thanks @Sonicjet for this. This boosted my career choice.

It might sound a little off topic, but what are top programming colleges in U.S.?