I will second Peter's mention of having a passion. Some programmers are passionate about coding itself. It doesn't really matter what field you're in in that case. Other programmers, like me, are passionate about building solutions with programming just being a means to an end.

I would also recommend taking the hardest class possible in the language you want to learn. I've had classes in a variety of languages beginning in the 80s. The hardest class I ever had was a PERL class at a community college. The teacher was an absolute jerk (and humiliated people regularly) but he knew PERL and he expected us to become experts at it. I don't use it as much anymore so I've forgotten many details but the value from that class is that I know exactly what's possible -- I just have to do a web search to remind my brain of the mechanics. Also, in this day and age, it's more important that you know object-oriented programming than old-school procedural programming.

If you're interested in systems librarianship, I'm happy to set up a Teams session with you. Just email me privately. As a Systems Librarian, I script/code in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PERL, PHP, shell scripting, proprietary APIs, and anything else that pops up. I also administer Linux servers, extend Drupal, and customize EZProxy.

chanel
-- 
Chanel Wheeler
COSUGI 2023 Conference Chair (April 25-27)
Systems Librarian
Yavapai Library Network
1971 Commerce Center Circle,
Suite A
Prescott, AZ  86301

Phone: (928) 442-5741
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-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Peter Velikonja
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2022 8:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Circulation clerk learning to code.

[You don't often get email from [log in to unmask] Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]

Hi,

Fun topic.  I got into programming about 35 years ago because I wanted to solve specific problems (in music) -- so I was drawn in not by programming itself, but by a sustaining passion.  I believe that a focused hunger is needed to get through the thousands of hours of frustration that programming can require.  Find a project you care about.

Take a course.  Most hackers I have known taught themselves, but a course will expose you to basic issues and techniques.  If you work at an institution, sign up for the intro course.  Bear in mind that programming is a dying art, computer programs just keep getting bigger and more complex, and humans can't keep up.
Computers
already write computer programs, SkyNet is already here.

A minor correction: computers are not eco-friendly, and paper books, in comparison, represent a better use of resources.  They are more durable, portable, and efficient.
Put a tablet on a shelf for 50 years and see if it gives you anything.
Good luck :)

peter

On Fri, Dec 16, 2022 at 9:55 AM Shearer, Timothy <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Chiming in.
>
> Erich's advice and perspective are spot on from where I stand.
>
> For my part (though I'm in a different part of my career) developing 
> code (or being a sysadmin, or being a metadata person, or...) in an 
> academic setting, specifically in libraries, is super rewarding 
> professionally and personally.  The challenges are endlessly 
> interesting, the mission is a constant source of energy, and the stuff 
> you work with is almost always delightful.  And the folks you run into 
> are the kinds of people who like to work with fun stuff, are mission 
> driven, and who are called to solve complex problems.  That is to say 
> the folks are pretty great.  A nice way to spend time and earn a living.
>
> +1 (x n; n=infinity) on the regex advice.  It's a super power and one 
> +that
> gets endless use.
>
> Best of luck!
> Tim
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of 
> Hammer, Erich F
> Sent: Friday, December 16, 2022 9:40 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Circulation clerk learning to code.
>
> Patrick,
>
> I commend you on expanding your knowledge and skill.  Creating, 
> modifying or even just understanding computer code can be very 
> satisfying.  While in some sense it doesn't really matter what kind of 
> code you learn as a beginner, you may want to start thinking about 
> what direction you want to go with your coding.  Web design, app 
> development, gaming graphics, AI, administrative scripting, and many 
> others are all very different coding paths.  Be prepared no matter 
> which direction you go in IT/programming to always be learning new things.  It is a fast and ever-changing world.
>
> Personally, I like working in a library (as a sysadmin who writes a 
> fair number of scripts) because there is so much variety and 
> surprising complexity and the people I assist are generally friendly, 
> intelligent (even if they aren't "techies"), and interesting.  If you 
> are more of a 
> tune-out-the-world-and-grind-through-a-specific-problem-without-concer
> ning-yourself-with-the-bigger-picture
> person, a larger, corporate coding environment may be more to your liking.
>
> If I can give one single piece of advice that I tell to anyone who 
> will listen... Learn regular expressions ("regex").  Even if you 
> decide that you hate writing code, knowledge of regexes can be 
> beneficial in ANY job requiring general computer use.  It is my firm 
> belief that -- like learning to swim or to tie a few useful knots-- 
> *nobody* regrets learning basic regular expressions.
>
> That's my $.02.  Good luck!
>
> Erich
>
>
> On Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 18:09, Patrick Pletcher eloquently
> inscribed:
>
> > Hi, this is my first time posting to a list like this. I am a 
> > circulation clerk who is learning to code at 
> > https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2ffreecodecamp.org
> > &c=E,1,LEo5op15W0tDMEB_4VrKDNJSc_Tnth_PcQLNAaXRSOKvfp_KUS-RAXS3aDopH
> > l2ckCMRpT6Hw47B5QoGoGrSeSXCHsYClbITtCJUcsyB4zU7AOpN_XOV&typo=1 Right 
> > now I am studying html and css, but I plan on going through all the lessons on the website. I enjoy working in libraries, and I also enjoy writing code. I am not sure where I am going with this. Do I stay in the library field, or do I go off in a completely different direction?
> > I would appreciate your input. I think I would like best to work for 
> > a company that provides access to eBooks or audio books. I like 
> > print, but I don't see people using ink printed on dead trees 50 
> > years from
> now, with all of the environmental issues the planet is facing.
>
>
>

--

Peter Velikonja
Head of Research, Koios LLC
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.koios.co&c=E,1,saVYk6rPqZnoj_Aa9SBc0zgwSjqCgDJnSk-WBjxoKSzxWQtyhH_xMW0wNu8kPe2JaAOgqp_htq7u_0W8RShXKd-zxMgeSt6oT9M2LSy7q2qjTYrC6aZvAA,,&typo=1
*Let's reconnect public libraries with the public.*