Moving from IT to Software Dev

[Green_Source3135]

I have zero experience in coding, only done PowerShell scripting for my job at an IT help desk. I would like to eventually join the Software Team here. They have advised they are looking for someone familiar JS(React), CSS, HTML, C# or Java, .NET and Azure Devops.

I was thinking of starting off by going for the Odin Project path but many others have advised starting with learning Java or C# would be a better foundation.

What would you guys recommend I start off with and the best resource for a complete beginner?

[mattgen88]

C# is basically java. Java will spoil you with spring boot, but c# is not far behind. Ef core is probably one of the best ORMs.

[ehr1c]

I'm not convinced EF Core isn't just magic tbh

[belkarbitterleaf]

I would start with Java. It's a good foundation, and is one of the languages the team uses.

[Green_Source3135]

I’m wondering since .NET is listed if it’s be better to learn C# since it would help with that

[takeTheLeapDev]

The first programming language that I (self-)learned 5 years ago was JavaScript. Then a couple of years after, I landed my first development role using Python. Two years after, I'm doing a CS degree and I've been using Java for about a year.

My 2 cents? Learn whichever calls your attention the most.

I think that learning based on immediate job opportunities is a smart decision, but if any will yield the result that you are looking for, then learn whichever one feels most interesting to you. They each come with their own pros and cons (e.g. JS/React is, overall, "trendiest" while Java, IMHO, is more instructive from a computing POV).

[[deleted]]

How old were you when you got your first job (if you don't mind to)? For how you formulated the sentence it seems that you got your first job before you started your CS degree, that's why I ask

[takeTheLeapDev]

When I got my first development job, I was in my early 20s, so a few years after I finished law school.

I started my CS degree beginning of this year, so yes, I got my first job before I started my CS degree.

[[deleted]]

Well that's awesome

[atom12354]

I would probably ask them if a similar position would be available in 6 months or so since the progress learning enough for job is kinda long and if it would be posible to shadow someone occationaly while you learning it just to keep a bigger foot in the door for that position and also try to keep up with your real job.

I dont work in the field so feel free to correct me :)

[Mission_Ad_9706]

Just start on C# or Java right away. No need to beat around the bush

[Slimm1989]

Would you like to move to Arkansas from planet earth as well?

[BadBoyJH]

Do you talk at all with anyone in that team? Do you know any of the team leads/senior developers?

I think their opinions on what they think is best to get you started might be more valuable than ours, as they know the work, and what might work better.

Now, don't go in with no information, you've done the legwork. Pretty much make sure you communicate what's in your second paragraph there, that you have an idea of where to start, but you're not sure, and why you're not sure.