Training for Computer Programming at Home

Training in computer programming can be done at home through free resources found on the Internet, through instructional books found at national chain stores or through a variety of college level coursework offered by colleges and universities. There are different types of computer programming in existence today and different languages that can be used for each. Computer programming is branched out into categories such as video game programming, systems programming and application programming.

Ground Work
Decide the type of work you want to associate with the computer programming you learn as it will determine the type of training path you'll need to seek. For example, if you want to do simple applications that will only be used on one or two personal computers such as specific use applications like simple business functions or hobby use, then all you need to do is seek out technical manual from a bookstore or study tutorials on the Internet. If you want to invent a completely new operating system, manage large database applications or invent a new video game, you're better off pursuing a Bachelor's degree or higher with a concentration in computer programming.

Research
Research which computer programming languages are best suited for the types of computer programming you want to train in. Pick one or two that seem interesting to you and then purchase a do-it-yourself manual at a bookstore or download study material for those languages from the Internet. Download from the Internet or install from a CD, the software developer environment that pertains to the computer programming language you want to learn.

Hands On Practice
Work through any practice exercises found in your study materials. Practice writing small programs that contain many aspects of a computer program such as a calculator, a virtual ATM machine or a small game like Tic-Tac-Toe. Download computer code packages from free sites such as Source Forge, Planet Source Code and Code Beach. Study how the programmers put the applications together and then try modifying one module with a different feature than it currently has. Re-run the program to see how the modification affected the application.

Important
When choosing a school to receive computer programming through, double check the school's accreditation status directly through the accreditation organization granting the accreditation prior to enrolling. Ask the school to provide you with a list of the entire curriculum involved in your computer programming training. Only pick a school that you feel will help you propel your career as a computer programmer by supporting you through career resources and providing you training in the programming language of your choice.

Learning computer programming is time intensive requiring 2-5 hours of study and 2-20 hours worth of hands programming each week depending on the computer programming language, the course you're enrolled in and your level of understanding.

References

Education Center Online, Computer Programming Schools-Computer Programming Training, Educationcenteronline.org

Source Forge, Find Free Open Source Software, Sourceforge.net

Planet Source Code, What is .Net?, Planet-Source-Code.com

Code Beach, Source Code, CodeBeach.com