I have 0 background on it, but I want to start and prepare before my semester starts.

I am picking this major because my Air Force ROTC requires me to. Where should I start?

What do you plan on doing with the degree? What is your focus? I would start there.

you just need to think logically, not really any prerequisites for it.

Computer Science is not a degree for people who don't enjoy the painfully small details of computer operations. Picking this major (which can be a very difficult one depending on the school) just because you're required to seems like a recipe for disaster. I think code and the complexity, yet simplistic ideas behind computers are fascinating... yet there have been so many times when I've put 12+ hours into a coding project and get stuck.

Food for thought. I'd atleast research it before you start, but if you choose not to, I'd start by looking up the basics on how computer scientists use logic to solve problems. From there, start looking into c++ code imo. Some people say it's too much to begin with, but I think it's best to drop you into it before you start the semester to see if you're going to enjoy it. You really need to understand what each line of code is doing as far as how many bytes/bits each data type is going to allocate, etc.

Not to toot my own horn *HONK* but I did the same thing a few years back.

If you check out my thread you can kind of see the progress I made.

Keep in mind I started with zero programming knowledge. If you have a good school with good professors, you will do just fine.

Also, ignore the flamey/stupid posts in the beginning of my thread - I was a dick at the start. It quickly subsided (once I learned some things)

edit: I only briefly checked out a few tutorials before starting. If you want to really get your feet wet before your first class, just google some programming tutorials or something. There are a bunch. Don't stress over language.

This post was edited by Eep on Jan 5 2015 06:13pm

and be prepared for your code to fail time and time again, and you have one line incorrect in your algorithm that will take you 12 hours to find!

I spoke to a buddy of mine who did programming while in the Air Force. I'd advise away from it. He did programming for 15+ years in the AF, he is now going to school so he can actually do something enjoyable rather than be a code monkey. (Forgive the phrase.) Most programming jobs in the AF are maintenance jobs. Yuck.

Also the military is going to complete shit. I was in the army, Funion was in the Air Force, and other JSP members can tell you that the military is going to hell. It's not what it used to be and I'm deeply pained to say that. You mentioned ROTC which I know usually comes with an obligation of: Four years of college in exchange for eight years of your life. Eight years in the military is a really long time. That statement doesn't do justice. You are locked by contract into a job you MAY or most likely MAY-NOT enjoy. You also can't quit when your job sucks, or your boss(es) suck, or anything fucking sucks.

Also Minkomonster will turn into your greatest asset. The patience he has for people who are noobs is amazing.

I can't give you any advice about programming as I'll be flamed outta this subforum (I am learning myself) but I can tell you about the military. I strongly advise you ask around before your lock yourself into an "ROTC contract".

Which is surprising, considering a complete lack of patience for noobs IRL.

my dad was in the AF as an enlisted programmer for 16 years and loved it. he finally got out because the pay was shit, though.

Pay is always shit for the enlisted though, isn't it? There are other perks afforded to enlisted men, like military housing allowances. Not saying it makes up for the lack of pay, but military persons don't necessarily have all the expenses that civilians do. So, their cost of living is considerably lower and thus pay would be lower to accommodate.