Ask HN: Is computer science a viable field?
13 comments
Nope, sorry
You're about half a century too late for computer science to be a "viable field"
Nobody uses computers any more, they're less and less a part of daily life, there is no room for improvement (because they're on the way out) etc
Hope you find something else to spend your life on!
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{The above is stated firmly tongue-in-cheek}
You're about half a century too late for computer science to be a "viable field"
Nobody uses computers any more, they're less and less a part of daily life, there is no room for improvement (because they're on the way out) etc
Hope you find something else to spend your life on!
------------
{The above is stated firmly tongue-in-cheek}
computer scientists are not programmers. programming is an activity that a computer scientist might do but is not necessary to have a CS career.
it is a fact that the industry wants programmers because shit has to be built. so they force everyone into that role if they can. at least that is my view.
i think that you should not get into this just to make money. it is a myth that you just become a programmer and you are guaranteed to get rich. so many people push kids into STEM or tech so they can also get rich just like that guy in the newspaper. a recipe for disappointment.
generally, unless you get really lucky with equity or your own business, i think there are other careers like law, finance or real estate where you can make a lot more money with a lot less intellectual power or effort.
it is a fact that the industry wants programmers because shit has to be built. so they force everyone into that role if they can. at least that is my view.
i think that you should not get into this just to make money. it is a myth that you just become a programmer and you are guaranteed to get rich. so many people push kids into STEM or tech so they can also get rich just like that guy in the newspaper. a recipe for disappointment.
generally, unless you get really lucky with equity or your own business, i think there are other careers like law, finance or real estate where you can make a lot more money with a lot less intellectual power or effort.
Yes computer programmers will be needed. The bureau of labor statistics (BLS) claims that computer programmers jobs are expected to grow fastest amongst most jobs in the US. It's probably the best ROI for a degree if you can learn the tech and math. You can even 'break info's, the field by being self taught. www.theodinproject.com and www.freecodecamp.org; pick one. You might try WGU.edu as well if you want a degree and can learn on your own fairly well. Computer science, like all things in academia, is somewhat saturated and very competitive. Don't go into academia if you want money. Yes it is a viable field. Will programming salaries stay this high? Probably? It's hard to tell. Best of luck.
Computers aren’t going anywhere kid
Perhaps try writing some code and see if you like it before making a choice? Its viable if you are good but you will only be good if you actually enjoy the craft enough to continually practice.
Strangely, computer science is best when it's a secondary interest of a person. Based on my observation, people from other fields coming to comsci have created more interesting projects than the one who first entered the field. Of course, except those who invented great programming languages and protocols. On economic level, creativity comes from broad knowledge and perspectives mixed with tech skills.
There will definitely be a need for computer programmer .. with great creativity and other knowledge. This is rare! Look around 97th percentile programmers today, their knowledge is such narrow.
Lots of room for innovations, though is also limited by poverty status. Creating boring thing, developing boring tools is still the norm of need, so it may seem saturated.
There will definitely be a need for computer programmer .. with great creativity and other knowledge. This is rare! Look around 97th percentile programmers today, their knowledge is such narrow.
Lots of room for innovations, though is also limited by poverty status. Creating boring thing, developing boring tools is still the norm of need, so it may seem saturated.
I get this. My girlfriend does mocell bio and her project requires her to do some informatics. She’s now into bioinformatics and she starts by already having a problem to solve. Compsci makes you find a problem to use a tool, coming from outside let’s you find the tool for the problem which IMO moves “faster” in the brain.
Yep. I know a couple friends who've gone from computer stuff to other things and have fun coming back to developing projects again. Many good ideas developers alone couldn't come up with.
Zero code software doesn’t write itself
Keep in mind that a computer science degree does not necessary mean that you'll be ready to get a job as a programmer. Computer science will teach you the underlying knowledge that makes info tech work. You'll likely need to take additional classes that will teach you how to be a programmer.
Computers are here to stay and there will be a need to write new code and maintain code for many years to come.
If I were you I would pick up a book on learning Python and learn to write a few programs to see how you like it. Programing is just one of the many areas you can specialize in with a computer science degree. Look into what else is available. Also you'll need lots of higher level math so keep that in mind. Many computer science majors end up with a minor in math since they have to take so many math classes that it only takes a few more to get the minor.
What's funny is that you can't get a CS degree with out the math but as a programmer you are very unlikely to ever have to use much more than algebra. There are some programming areas where you do need the higher math but you mostly won't.
Computers are here to stay and there will be a need to write new code and maintain code for many years to come.
If I were you I would pick up a book on learning Python and learn to write a few programs to see how you like it. Programing is just one of the many areas you can specialize in with a computer science degree. Look into what else is available. Also you'll need lots of higher level math so keep that in mind. Many computer science majors end up with a minor in math since they have to take so many math classes that it only takes a few more to get the minor.
What's funny is that you can't get a CS degree with out the math but as a programmer you are very unlikely to ever have to use much more than algebra. There are some programming areas where you do need the higher math but you mostly won't.
This is simply one of the best answers read here!
Answering your questions more directly, yes there is a huge need for programmers in the near future. I’m not aware of any zero-code solution anywhere close to obsoleting jobs at any company I’ve ever worked at. The types of jobs automation solves are normally jobs that aren’t that fun to do in the first place. ;)
It is not saturated. Programmers with even a handful of years of experience are highly desired, even if entry level devs find it tough to find roles. There are just a lot more roles wanting people who know what they’re doing, at least a bit :)
Software development is probably one of the most cost effective ways to get a good salary. The initial investment can be completely free if you take the time and effort to learn it. Even buying random courses won’t be nearly as expensive as a graduate degree. Or even going to a community college to get the basics! Super cheap compared to getting a medical or law degree. High salaries are then driven by huge investment in tech companies, which happens because these companies have an outsized opportunity for making a lot of money, which investors love. (E.g. you can scale a tech business to millions of paying customers without nearly as many resources as a physical goods business.)
These factors make it an extremely viable field relative to a ton of options.
I think the challenge is that you need to discover if you have an affinity for programming. All of the decent developers in my BS program found the intro programming courses very easy, whereas most others didn’t. Not sure why, but maybe it has to do with the way folks think about problem solving.
It is not saturated. Programmers with even a handful of years of experience are highly desired, even if entry level devs find it tough to find roles. There are just a lot more roles wanting people who know what they’re doing, at least a bit :)
Software development is probably one of the most cost effective ways to get a good salary. The initial investment can be completely free if you take the time and effort to learn it. Even buying random courses won’t be nearly as expensive as a graduate degree. Or even going to a community college to get the basics! Super cheap compared to getting a medical or law degree. High salaries are then driven by huge investment in tech companies, which happens because these companies have an outsized opportunity for making a lot of money, which investors love. (E.g. you can scale a tech business to millions of paying customers without nearly as many resources as a physical goods business.)
These factors make it an extremely viable field relative to a ton of options.
I think the challenge is that you need to discover if you have an affinity for programming. All of the decent developers in my BS program found the intro programming courses very easy, whereas most others didn’t. Not sure why, but maybe it has to do with the way folks think about problem solving.
100% for the field.. 10% for the University Degree.
There is zero chance programming jobs will go away in the near future. I mean perhaps if WW3 happens.
Jobs in the field are all over, and we are dying for skilled coders. I don't see that changing. Salaries are awesome too.
My only issue with the degree is the cost. Most of what you learn in a degree program won't be relevant IRL. Some small bits will, but a couple books and you're there.
When I went to University we built apps that ran on 2megs, and we were happy. I spent 4 years learning how to write PalmOS apps.
The field requires a pile of self learning. It never stops.
Don't agree with the "secondary interest" bit. I don't want my heart surgeon to have it as her secondary interest. Nor do I want the coder who built the software that admins my drugs after the procedure to have clean and efficient code as their secondary interest.
There is zero chance programming jobs will go away in the near future. I mean perhaps if WW3 happens.
Jobs in the field are all over, and we are dying for skilled coders. I don't see that changing. Salaries are awesome too.
My only issue with the degree is the cost. Most of what you learn in a degree program won't be relevant IRL. Some small bits will, but a couple books and you're there.
When I went to University we built apps that ran on 2megs, and we were happy. I spent 4 years learning how to write PalmOS apps.
The field requires a pile of self learning. It never stops.
Don't agree with the "secondary interest" bit. I don't want my heart surgeon to have it as her secondary interest. Nor do I want the coder who built the software that admins my drugs after the procedure to have clean and efficient code as their secondary interest.
I understand that computers will be here for a while, but will there be a need for Computer Programmers in the near future? Also is the computer science field saturated? Lastly, is this a viable field?