RE: Question concerning entry level programmer skills

Certainly, this is the best response that I have read so far. I have been
programming RPG for a mere three years. I remember what it was like at my
first programming job. Lucky for me, I worked for a system's analyst that
was patient and answered all of my questions. 

From some of the responses that I have read, many of you have obviously been
programming for quite some time. I believe that your expectations are much
too high. I graduated as the top programming student three years ago.
Writing code is not hard. Like most activites, the more time you spend with
it the better you get. What made the difference for me was 1). I had the
burning desire to program 2). A natural ability to analyze 3). The ability
to think in a logical and structured manner.   

If you have the three things I mentioned above and you have applied yourself
in your studies, you won't have a problem.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim [mailto:jcannon@antigua.com]
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2000 2:59 PM
To: RPG400-L@midrange.com
Subject: Re: Question concerning entry level programmer skills


IMHO.

Assuming the individual has the basic natural abilities. The ability to 
break a problem down to understandable logical steps is mandatory. 
This is just basic to any programming language. If he/she can't think 
in logical terms, there is no amount of training or schooling that will 
help.

Another factor is the quality of the education they received. As a 
former RPG instructor in a local technical school, I can assure you, a 
diploma is no garantee the student learned anything. Only that they 
paid there full tuition.

If I were you, I would make up my own test questions that YOU think 
the person needs to minimally qualify. You might give them a listing 
of a program and ask them to explain what the program does.  You 
could even put errors in the listing and ask them to find them. 

If you find someone with the minimal qualifications, then make the 
commitment to bring them up to the standards you prefer. It's easier 
to teach a new dog old tricks, than an old dog new tricks.  Do not let 
this process up to them. They don't know what skills you want. Lead 
them, and guide them. They will respond to your commitment and 
leadership in like manner. 






From:                   kjennings@garan.com
To:                     RPG400-L@midrange.com
Date sent:              Fri, 12 May 2000 11:31:01 -0400
Subject:                Question concerning entry level programmer skills
Send reply to:          RPG400-L@midrange.com



Hi, group!  In your opinion, what knowledge and skills should an entry level
RPG
programmer have fresh out of school?

Kevin


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