wish I would have heard this advice back when I first learned js :[

the real struggle is only knowing vanilla js, then making a vanilla js question on google, and only getting jquery results

This post was edited by Eep on Jan 9 2015 10:03pm

I firmly disagree with him. How can you truly understand what jquery is doing behind the scenes without an understanding of javascript? This is learning how to run before you walk. Absolutely start with javascript, and then mix in other libraries as you get comfortable.

Yeah. I mean, jquery syntax wasn't that bad. You could usually tell what the JS equivalent was.

Python

As I mentioned i have Bipolar 1 Manic Depressive Disorder, and in my Bipolar outreach group I met the dad of a middle aged coder/programmer who specializes in Ruby and makes over 150k. She's worked for start up companies that were bought out by Oracle and then left Oracle because they were too structured. She got hired somewhere else with a 50% pay raise. I was fascinated to find that she doesn't even have a bachelors in computer science or computer engineering. Is it in the realm of reality to believe I can learn all these languages on my own with the help of free internet tutorials like codecademy and others while utilizing books at the library and not having my parents drop 35k on 2 more years of college education in computer science(I haven't even started basic computer science classes are they all about the actual hardware etc of an actual computer and gaining an understanding in building them fixing them etc). I'm not saying I'll get nearly as lucky as that girl did with her rise up through the coding and programming world but if I could just have a job in the field without that degree I'd honestly be really proud of myself(I know a college education won't hurt and my parents are paying for it) But why waste their money if I can perform well in an interview after I religiously learn these languages over the next 6 months-a year.

Thanks again everyone for the advice!

Tia

I am going to be blunt with you, and I want you to listen to what I have to say. It is possible for you to accomplish this without a degree. It is not likely. It is also possible for you to accomplish this with a degree. But it is also not likely. Why? Because you don't seem like the caliber of person who makes it in this field. It isn't for everyone. This isn't just some trade that you can pick up with a couple years of study and then be golden. It requires a certain thinking structure. You have to be logical. And you are not logical. Pragmatism helps as well, and you seem to lack that. Your plan was birthed through emotion. You saw the idea of someone coming from nothing into a large sum of money and it got you flustered with the thought, "why not me." It's not you because of that very reason. Do you think this person you speak of started out in your position? Do you think her goal was a fuck ton of money? No. She enjoyed problem solving. And she enjoyed the challenge of the age old question "how do I make this computer do what I want." All you seem to care about is money. You don't even know what computer science is. How many people just wake up one day and say "I want to devote my life to X, even though I know absolutely nothing about it." It is a recipe for disaster.

You are Bipolar 1 Manic Depressive. You don't need me to tell you what that means. But it seems you need someone to remind you that this disorder will make you feel at times euphoric with delusions of grandeur. You feel unstoppable, that you are destined for great things. And that you are above the curve. I would be curious if you even mentioned this to your outreach group. What do you think they would say? Do you think they would agree with your assessment of your capabilities? Or do you think they would attempt to help you see reason as they guide you back down from this manic episode?

wtf no pascal there?

my coworker knew a guy in high school who seemed a bit on the dumb side, never went to college. he always thought the dude would end up bagging groceries or selling cars or something. he randomly met him a few years ago and was shocked. the dude now sells light bulbs, and he's a millionaire. turns out there are government incentives to be energy efficient, and a lot of older business offices have inefficient bulbs. he only needs a few minutes with a CEO to convince him to swap out all those light bulbs for the government incentives. if he can do it, so can you. so the multi-million-dollar question for you: why are you working your ass off trying to be a coding expert without college if you can simply sell light bulbs?

Fuck that. The real question is, why am I not? It's been fun guys. I'm off to lowes to spend my savings on their entire supply of light bulbs.

i just happen to have a nice stockpile of light bulbs i'll be willing to sell you for a good price. Lucky coincidence! if you didn't know me, you might have gotten ripped off by some scam