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Author Topic: Learning coding (for a new career) on MorphOS  (Read 14363 times)

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Offline Thorham

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Re: Learning coding (for a new career) on MorphOS
« on: September 27, 2014, 03:08:44 PM »
Quote from: dandelion;774020
really like the idea of developing deep mastery of applications/OS programming.
When you've only just started programming, then you're looking at several years to master it. There's way around this.

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Is C++ still worth learning?
You have to start somewhere, and learning C++ is certainly useful.

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Would I spend most of my time mastering the MorphOS API instead of learning industry-relevant Linux/Windows APIs? Or is the API issue small fry compared to understanding how C++ works?
Mastery of the language and programming itself are the most important. Once you've taken care of that, using any well documented API isn't a problem.

Quote from: dandelion;774020
On the other hand, the thought of spending lots of time learning the MUI API might be a bit de-motivating, knowing it won't be directly benefiting my CV
Of course, but the key is mastering programming itself. Learning how to use an API is part of that.

I don't really see a problem with learning how to program on an AmigaOS related platform, but there are good options for Windows as well, such as Visual Studio (express editions are free, requires a Microsoft account, also free). Because you want relevant skills, just stay away from 680x0 assembly language :lol:
 

Offline Thorham

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Re: Learning coding (for a new career) on MorphOS
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2014, 03:31:18 PM »
Quote from: cunnpole;774022
As for anything Amiga related: only do this if it is in line with your goal. Working on a 'dead' OS will be viewed by many as a pointless exercise (and a distraction for your potential job).
The OS is not relevant, mastering programming is. Once you've mastered programming, adapting to other APIs and languages isn't very difficult.
 

Offline Thorham

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Re: Learning coding (for a new career) on MorphOS
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2014, 05:33:49 PM »
Quote from: Thomas Richter;774033
True enough, but if you want to find employment in the area, it probably more useful to point at a couple of open source projects you have contributed to - or even better - helped to establish. That leaves a good impression. Having written some unknown applications for a dead Os is probably less impressive. It gives you probably the title of a hobbyist with a touch for old-timers, but not a flexible modern software engineer that can master whatever project there will be.
Obviously, but when you still have to learn how to program, then this is entirely irrelevant. When you want a job as a programmer, then you have to master programming itself first. Once you've mastered that, you can start working on software for relevant platforms. No one wants beginner code in their open source projects, and you don't stick your learner projects on a CV anyway.

You can't be a flexible, modern software engineer without mastering programming, and because that's a process that takes several years, I wouldn't worry about what platform you use to learn it. What you should do is try to master programming using languages that allow you to do everything properly, so that you don't get into bad habits and learn nothing useful.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2014, 05:37:41 PM by Thorham »
 

Offline Thorham

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Re: Learning coding (for a new career) on MorphOS
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2014, 11:00:57 PM »
Quote from: ElPolloDiabl;774051
No one has suggested 68k assembly.
There are only two good reasons for learning 68k assembly language:

1) To write programs on a hobby basis.
2) To learn how computers work at the low level.

Until someone has built up some experience with programming, I'd stay away from any kind of assembly language. Learning how computers work at the low level can, of course, be useful, but not as a beginner.

Quote from: ElPolloDiabl;774051
Otherway would be a low level language 68k or C (both are similiar) using the Amiga libraries if you are familiar with them.
Definitely go for C. When still learning how to program, 68k won't help someone. Assembly language is also just about the worst language to start with.
 

Offline Thorham

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Re: Learning coding (for a new career) on MorphOS
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2014, 12:46:36 AM »
Quote from: dandelion;774053
Some very useful comments here. Thank you.  Out of Java, C# and C++, would you say they all help you learn to code without developing the bad habits you refer to?

Those seem fine to me. Just steer clear of things like Pascal, and crusty BASIC interpreters. Also, don't even think about assembly language. While assembly language allows you to do things properly, it's not very practical, and isn't used in many jobs.