When looking for advice, turn to TB

WookieeForLife · #1 08-18-2009, 07:52 PM

What would you take in High school: c++ programming, or marketing?

When I am older I want to start my own little pizza/ bar food restaraunt if that helps.

iamlowsound · #2 08-18-2009, 10:35 PM

And you wonder which you should take?

lowsound

WookieeForLife · #3 08-18-2009, 11:52 PM

Programming is something I am interested in as a hobby though.

Stumbo · #4 08-18-2009, 11:58 PM

Both.
Programming is something that builds over time, like math. Best to start sooner than later. I also suggest you learn website programming.

Marketing you can take in college also, maybe during the summer if you can't get both into your high school schedule.

Chickencha · #5 08-19-2009, 07:32 AM

Both are valuable skills. Disclaimer: I'm a software engineer, just to make my biases clear.

Marketing is good for everyone to know, regardless of profession. However, I know I would've been wary of taking such a class in my high school since these types of classes tended to be poorly taught wastes of time. If there's a good teacher for this class, it is probably more valuable than the C++ class.

C++ is not that hard to teach yourself with a book. However, if you haven't done any programming, I'd recommend learning a different language first. C++ is falling out of favor for many programming tasks and it's not an easy first language.

Summarized, my advice is: if the marketing class has a good teacher who won't waste your time, take it. Otherwise take C++.

XtreO · #6 08-19-2009, 08:40 AM

Marketing I guess, as that would help you a lot with running your future business.

DeluxeRed · #7 08-19-2009, 08:52 AM

Neither. I'd focus more on Business classes than Marketing. And C++ is old hat. I'd focus on C# or some other newer OOP environment, and web programming, maybe some SQL. (The key is OOP--once you get comfortable with that, the rest is merely syntax. C++ will teach that, but then you have a knowledge of a mostly obsolete--for new development--language.)

progrmr · #8 08-19-2009, 09:11 AM

Forget C++ - unless you want to write games, operating systems or device drivers. Favor Java or C# for real development. Focus on WEB programming - everything is going online.

I've been writing code professionally for 10 years - it is quite lucrative and there are WAY harder ways to make a buck.

Only write code if you are VERY technically oriented and able to stick with it. It can be a tough, high stress gig. You MUST know what you are doing and be able to do it well and quickly.

If you are serious about wanting to open a pizza shop, well then Marketing is way you need to go. Or better business management or business administration degree. Programming will not help you in this en devour.

DudeistMonk · #9 08-19-2009, 09:52 AM

To all the programmers...Yeah, but you learn whatever language the class is in...I'm surprised its not Java in high school, since Java is free and C is not. Besides all the concepts in a comp sci 1 class will be the same, he probably won't get past arrays.

To give you an idea, the most advanced thing I did with Comp Sci 1 was create a text based Black Jack program, and it was horrible code (way too many lines). Then I found that I sucked at high level math and got into web development (which is a whole nother animal)..comparatively easier IMO and in very high demand right now, I have no problem getting work, of course I would consider myself top of the line in a field where people stumble into an interview after reading an O'Reilly book and expect to get the job.

If you want to open a restaurant you should take marketing, comp sci isn't going to help you there, unless you want to run a text based cash register in unix.

Chickencha · #10 08-19-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DudeistMonk

...Java is free and C is not.

Not sure what you mean by that.

There are free implementations available for both languages. If we're talking free as in freedom, Java is arguably less free than C.

DudeistMonk · #11 08-19-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickencha

Not sure what you mean by that.

There are free implementations available for both languages. If we're talking free as in freedom, Java is arguably less free than C.

Free as in free to compile...When I was in HS we had to learn Java cause the school wouldn't pay for the rights to compile in C, maybe that's changed in the time I've been away from programming.

WookieeForLife · #12 08-19-2009, 08:16 PM

C++ is the foot in the door then you move up to Java and all that. I dont see the restaraunt as a place to get rich, but make decent money. Also cooking is deff. my favorite in the work world. I work at a restaurant that is mostly seafood and steak dinners, but they make a killing on pizzas and drinks at the bar. That being said my second job on my imaginary list is computer programmer.

7StringBassist · #13 08-19-2009, 11:26 PM

I really hope you like math if you choose C++ I had a java based class
and if there is 1 just 1 wrong space or character the script wont work and have fun tracking it =X

Sartori · #14 08-20-2009, 02:55 AM

I would never ask for advice on TB. Except when I do.

Nappa · #15 08-20-2009, 03:04 AM

To help your career I would say marketing. Computer programming is useless in most small business. Unless you plan on making your own machines for your said business.

Chickencha · #16 08-20-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7StringBassist

I really hope you like math if you choose C++ I had a java based class
and if there is 1 just 1 wrong space or character the script wont work and have fun tracking it =X

A high school class should just be there to get your feet wet. I doubt it'll be too math intensive.

You'd better like math if you're going to pursue a computer science degree, though.

As for the syntax, some people have a lot of trouble with it and some don't.

**john turner** · #17 08-20-2009, 09:00 AM

right now, a capable, microsoft certified software developer fluent in c++ or c#, along with other technologies can expect, on average, somewhere around the vicinity of $60 an hour, if not more, for contract work, and around $60k a year for salaried work.

that's ~2 years experience, with valid certifications.

also, all my basses - every single one ...

... i paid for, along buying a house, building a studio and financing my part of a cd, by programming, and specifically by using the same programming that i learned/taught myself when i was in 10th grade (at the time, it was pascal).

on the other hand, pizza rocks.

so i don't know.

richnota · #18 08-20-2009, 02:22 PM

Having some programming education has helped me become very successful in my marketing career.

Try both.