[Tutor] Paython as a career

[Luke Paireepinart]

You should not choose a specific programming language and start a career in
it.  If you want a career in programming you need to learn a great deal
about computer science (the theory).  One of the things you will learn in
your studies is that programming languages are just the tools, and you
leverage them to create great software.  Therefore you shouldn't need to
"know" how used a programming language is - if you understand how
programming works, you can choose a language to specialize in (for example,
I use Python for all my personal projects because I feel like the language
design is better than most others), but I am grounded enough in the theory
that I am not tied to Python.  For example, I worked a 6-month internship
where the main programming language was C#, and they used all Microsoft
tools.  I'd never used C# or the tools, but within a week or two, I was able
to familiarize myself with their codebase and start working on it at a
fairly competent level.  Now it would take a while for me to become as
productive in C# as I am in Python, just based on my ability to recall so
much information about Python without having to look at reference material.
If you're really asking us which language has the largest job market, Python
is definitely not the answer to that question?  Can you find jobs in
Python?  Sure, if you are determined and you look hard enough.  But as far
as widespread use, I'd say C/C++, Java, and C# are still the reigning
programming languages.  That's just my personal opinion and I didn't consult
any statistical sources for that.

What it all boils down to is this:  Programming is difficult.  If you like
to spend your free time solving mathematical equations and doing logic
problems, it might be for you.  If you like to spend your free time fixing
up your car, or something, you'd probably do better to choose a different
career.  I think you will not be very successful if you try to pick up a
programming career on a whim, as a side income.  If you are not committed
enough to either study it in school or learn it really well at a job, you
will not be successful.  Especially if your boss is a programmer, it is very
clear after only a short while at a job whether you are a competent
programmer, and unless you find yourself in a very poorly run company, you
won't be able to skirt by.  You'll have to know what you're doing.

That having been said, for people of a certain mindset, programming is
extremely enjoyable and a rewarding field to be in.  If you are interested
in Python because you are interested in the things you can do with it,
rather than being interested in it because it is a potential source of
revenue, start playing around with it and learning it.  Do some projects.
Ask us lots of questions.  And if you still like it after completing
something substantial, then start thinking about it in terms of a career
path.

That's my 2 cents, of course you have no obligation to take my advice.  I
hope it helps you one way or the other.
Good luck.
-Luke

On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 1:37 AM, Hussain Ali <
hussainali.hussainali at gmail.com> wrote:

>  Dear all
>
> I want to start learning python but before going further I need answer to
> my
> questions so that my path can be clear to me. I shall be grateful for your
> answers:
>
> 1) Where does python stand as compared to other programming languages?
> 2) What is the future for python?
> 3) Will it survive for long in this rapidly changing trends and new
> languages?
> 4) Should I start it to earn my bread and butter? I mean is that beneficial
> for income.
>
>
> Sincerely
>
> Hussain
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tutor maillist  -  Tutor at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
>
>
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