Computer programming encompasses design, writing, testing, debugging and maintaining source code. The type of programmer a student wants to become will determine, in large part, his or her course work.
CCA offers major foundational pieces in this area, such as Logic and Program Design, Programming for the Internet, and an array of basic and advanced “C” programming, including C# and C++.
To be successful in the programming field, you'll need a wide range of technical skills that can take years to master on your own. This do-it-yourself approach may appeal to certain hobbyists, but everyone's time is valuable and learning on your own is a time consuming endeavor. For professionals, familiarity with the interoperability of systems, programs and languages is a must, and self-teaching is out of the question.
Computer science jobs are in high demand, and more and more applicants are flooding into the field making competition fierce. To top things off, entering into the field means you'll be competing against others with any number of certificates and degrees. Don't panic, though, because CCA's classes, degrees, and certificates makes learning all this much easier, and through our training, you can drive yourself to the front of the pack.
C++
There is a mountain of controversy over which language functions as the best starting language, and there are good arguments to be had for each of them, but one language shines above the rest.
C++ is simultaneously one of the oldest computer programing languages, having its roots in C, and on the cutting edge of modern languages with its newest iteration C++11. C++ shines because it is flexible. Almost every operating system in existence ships with a C++ compiler, making it among the most portable languages available.
Moreover, C++ is used in almost every field - from operating system development to game programming - and is a telling piece for a resume. C++ is also flexible in that it doesn't force a paradigm down your throat: where other languages have either poor support for object oriented programming or foist it unceremoniously upon you, C++ allows you to use objects when you feel they're appropriate. C++ gives you control in ways most languages cannot compare, which is not only good for deeper understanding, it also allows you to learn good practices like effective memory management.
C#
One of the most popular computer languages used in applications ranging from computer games, utilities, operating systems and compilers is C#.
C# (pronounced "C-sharp") is an object-oriented programming language from Microsoft that aims to combine the computing power of C++ with the programming ease of Visual Basic. C# is based on C++ and contains features similar to those of Java.
C# is designed to work with Microsoft's .Net platform. Microsoft's aim is to facilitate the exchange of information and services over the Web, and to enable developers to build highly portable applications. C# simplifies programming through its use of Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) which allow access to a programming object or method without requiring the programmer to write additional code for each step. Because programmers can build on existing code, rather than repeatedly duplicating it, C# is expected to make it faster and less expensive to get new products and services to market.
C# was initially created specifically for use with the .NET platform.
C# is designed to be simple, type-safe, object-oriented, and high-performance.
C# applications consist of human-readable source code, written in a text editor. The source code is compiled into Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) which, at runtime, is compiled into machine code.
A method is a named block of code that performs an action and that may return a value.
A string is a set of text characters enclosed in quotes.
You can use C# to develop console applications, Windows applications, web applications, and web services.
C# programming has quickly become a "hot" job skill, prompting an explosion of C# courses and C# schools around the country, including among Denver, Colorado, colleges. Programmers that have experience with C# and related technologies are likely to be in high demand for the foreseeable future.
For more information regarding career options, salary ranges, educational opportunities, and physical and sensory requirements for working in computer programming, please see CCA’s Computer Programming Plan of Study.
