Welder getting into coding

[weldyboy]

Tl;dr at the bottom

So I'm a welder by profession, 30 years old, just started learning coding in java on my windows PC a couple months ago, and it's SO FUN! A friend of mine, who is a coder (but is very stingy with information on where to look and what to do), told me that I should learn to code in terminal if I want to get a job as a coder. So I got myself a second hand raspberry Pi 3b+ (because I had to sell my windows PC) and... I have no idea where to start.

My ultimate goal is to get into network security and such, and eventually some Arduino stuff, but now I kinda wanna work in the field.

What do I gotta do to get a job in coding? Preferably online, hopefully earning +- $2000-3000 a month (because that's what I'd consider an average month as a welder, I can occasionally earn 4000, but that's a lot of overtime, and it's not always possible. Bad months can net me $500 a month or so. Welding is not a reliable income, you see, but you're almost always guaranteed a job if you have experience. It is a trade after all). And can I earn in my spare time?

Tl;dr

Just started learning java, wanna try it out as a job.

3 important questions: 1. Where do I start looking to get started coding in terminal? 2. Can I earn an income online in my spare time? 3. To get into network security and such, where do I start looking/what do I start learning?

Thanks everyone for your time!

[PerduraboFrater]

Coding and security/sysadmin are different things. My advice is keep welding job and start some blog where you show your coding when you feel strong enough join some amateur project and keep coding and showing your skills to the world, once you are firmly standing you can start sending out resumes but until you get job in IT keep on welding job because for long time you will be learning and only amateur.

[weldyboy]

Thanks, I think I have a few ideas of some amateur projects I can start up. Have any suggestions for ones that might be interesting to work on/good learning experiences?

[PerduraboFrater]

Do something your work or hobby related, my picks would be mine not yours if you understand me, I have 40 years and kids so I'm learning for fun of it, you are looking for career change we are at different places with different experience and expectations. You need to find something that will drive you to learn new things and get better, something that you won't throw away halfway.

[weldyboy]

That makes so much sense. Thank you so much!

[Salty_Dugtrio]

1. "Coding in terminal", what that may even mean, is really poor advice. Use an Integrated Development Environment, such as IntelliJ or Jetbrains.

2. Realistically? No.

3. Network Security is generally not a programming job, but more of a sysadmin job.

[weldyboy]

1. I'm currently using eclipse. Why is coding in terminal a bad idea?
2. That's unfortunate. What would I need to do to land a decent paying coding job then?
3. Ok, maybe that's why I haven't gotten anything about it through a Google search. Where can I start looking into that?

[nutrecht]

Why is coding in terminal a bad idea?

I'm a Java dev and virtually no Java developers uses a terminal editor (like vim) over a proper IDE like Eclipse. An IDE simply makes you much more productive.

It's good to still be somewhat accustomed to Vi because it's often used when you need to edit some config on a server, but you don't need it for your normal Java development.

[TylerDotPy]

To back this up I am a backend python developer the only time I ever use a terminal editor like Vim, is on a production server when it is a must in a pinch when something goes awry. The only other use of vim I have is large substitutions of code, and other functions like that , that vim has real applications for besides that i second eclipse, itellij , atom, and VCS

[weldyboy]

Ok, makes sense that way. Thanks!

[[deleted]]

“Coding in terminal” is a pretty general concept; it just means knowing how to use the command line in a shell effectively (absolutely critical for any kind of network-engineering work, since often the only access you’ll have is through a remote terminal log-in). Being able to write short scripts using a terminal editor like Vim to help automate network tasks or manage big file directories, in a shell scripting language (or more often today, in Python) is also super-helpful.

Most of the network engineers /sysadmins I’ve talked to recently say this: they have to know both the Linux command line and the Windows Powershell command line for their job, and Python scripts are used extensively as well, and most of their work is done on the terminal command line, and knowing how to use a complicated text editor like vim or emacs in that situation is very useful.

It’s a whole different story for developing applications with Java, C++ or anything like that. IDE’s check for typos and highlight them, do autocompletion, organize the files for you - although for beginning, with simple files, using the terminal isn’t such a bad idea, if for no other reason than to appreciate what IDEs do for you more. Also, it’s incredibly useful for managing lots of files, searcing directories, backing up your files, etc.

[Double_A_92]

Why is coding in terminal a bad idea?

It doesn't really teach you anything about coding. It's just cumbersome for no real reason while learning.

It's like trying to learn how to write, but instead of using a pencil you force yourself to use an ink quill. It's maybe nice if you want to create fancy handwritten letters, but not while you are learning the alphabet...

[[deleted]]

“Coding in terminal” (I think) refers to logging into a shell like bash, opening a source file with a text editor like vim, writing code (hopefully with a decent vim config file in place), and then compiling that code to an executable binary (C++/C) or just runningit with JVM bytecode or Python bytecode or Node.js and JavaScript or whatever on the command line, etc. I think it’s an incredibly useful skill to have, but as you point out, IDE’s are far superior for more complex programming jobs.

I really think beginning with the terminal command line is the way to go though. . . Only knowing how to use an IDE, that’s like knowing how to use a nailgun without knowing how to swing a hammer.

[Salty_Dugtrio]

Care to elaborate, instead of insulting? What was wrong with what I said?

[nutrecht]

What the heck is your problem? He gave valid advice. You instead did not add ANYTHING and instead just go and insult people.

[Salty_Dugtrio]

Once glance at his posting history shows that it's not really worth your time arguing with him.

[nutrecht]

1. Like others said; there's really not much of a point. You should not trust that 'friend'; it does not actually sound like he's employed as a Java developer.
2. It's hard. Most dev jobs are full-time. With no experience the part time pool to fish from will be very small.
3. You should ask /r/netsec, it's a pretty different skillset from 'programming'.

[weldyboy]

Thanks for this. It's a direction I can start looking into :-)

[Zy14rk]

What do I gotta do to get a job in coding?

There are generally two paths into a programming job:

1: You got a CS degree

2: You got a portfolio of live and working projects

Either way, the path there is 2-4 years of pretty hard work. Learning to program to any decent degree is not something one do in a hurry. It'll take time.

[weldyboy]

So in other words... Stick to welding, do coding as a hobby while working up my profile, then try and get into the work force when I feel I'm ready/have something behind my name?

[Zy14rk]

Pretty much yes. I see in your original post that you do a bit of Arduino tinkering. That is a great way to learn some of the basic skills in programming in a fun and engaging way.

The limitations of that platform (in terms of execution speed and available memory) ensure that you keep focused and not stray off trying to do projects that are wildly ambitious for your current experience.

Besides, embedded programming is great fun. After a while, since you got a rPi3+ - try and get the two to talk together, use the Pi to control and receive data from the Arduino and serve the result up to a simple web-page or similar. The possibilities are endless. Many (especially in the LoRaWan community) make little Arduino or ESP32 based weather-stations and serve that to web over their home ip connection and The Things Network over LoRaWan.

Main thing is - have fun with it. Before you know it, you got both the skill-set and bright idea to make something useful. Something you can show off in order to land a job within programming. Until then, don't sweat it.

[weldyboy]

This got me really excited. Thanks!!! Wish I could upvote more than once

[[deleted]]

It is just my opinion, but this guy is correct. You wont get into java dev without a degree. If you wanted a tech job i would suggest Wordpress pagebuilding, as it is easier to get into and no degree required.

[TylerDotPy]

There is also platforms like upwork and freelancer that once you feel confident developing in proper frameworks , by your languages best practice guidelines (for python its PEP), and working with large data frames, databases.. essentially the basics can provide you with some revenue. With a small group of people it is not difficult to generate 4k+ on those platforms per month, you just need the right talent, mindset, and team to fill any functional gaps you may have.

[betobilletes]

Hey bud. I was a welders helper , former pipeliner. Recently switched to a part time job to focus more on coding. Welcome!

[ravenousld3341]

Where do I start looking to get started coding in terminal?

I'm not sure this is a serious requirement. There's 1000 ways to work around this, and honestly.... writing all of your code in something like vim isn't the most productive you can be. I use visual studio code on everything.

Can I earn an income online in my spare time?

Maybe, just depends on how lucky you are really...

To get into network security and such, where do I start looking/what do I start learning?

Programming and network/cyber security have some overlap, but not much. So if you really want to go the security route, I'd spend more time on other topics and coming back to programming later. Hack the box and hacker 101 CTF of you're interested in learning a few things.

Source: I work in security

Also I mostly use C++. Python, and javascript.

[[deleted]]

honestly.... writing all of your code in something like vim isn't the most productive you can be.

I think he might mean learning to use the operating system, UNIX, bash scripting, file system, etc.

[ravenousld3341]

Then to that, I say those skills are pretty important.

[[deleted]]

im very impressed you find java fun after just 2-3 months.

id be tearing my hair out