11–20 of 77 posts
On the other hand, web programming is exceptionally easy...
Never too late.
If you've owned a computer for the last six months at least, and haven't already learned at least some programming then I'd suggest you probably don't have a particular aptitude for it - give it a go anyway though, and if you enjoy it then don't stop. Please don't just do it for the money though - all the worst programmers I've met fall into that category, and none of the best. On the other hand, web programming is e…
No, it's not. The only thing easy in programming is writing trivial examples and small stuff like that. Writing a non-trivial program that has to be used by real users and is expected to have as few bugs as possible is not easy at all.
I'd say it's not too late, but it takes time. You can trade your existing experience against the native wit/speed of the youngsters, but it still takes time to learn to program.
Especially to learn to program for someone else, by which I mean robust and comprehensive enough to be used by people you don't know, in ways you'll have difficulty imagining.
So it depends a lot on both you and your ideas. Are you willing to work as hard as a founder has to, but on someone else's ideas? I would recommend starting to learn to program, but floating your ideas to some experienced developers as well with the intent of finding someone to work with. If you can do all the business stuff, and are mildly technical, and they can do all the deep technical, and appreciate the business stuff, then you can have a formidable partnership.
After all, PG recommends having a co-founder ...
If, on the other hand, you feel you're really interested in programming then, by all means, go ahead and take the plunge. However, bear in mind that it will take you more or less 10 years to become an expert. It doesn't really have anything to do with age, it's just how much time people need to get excellent at something.
If you feel undecided about whether you're really interested in coding or not, give it a shot and find out. If you really like coding, you'll know it.
Programmer thinking: cool, ideas, Web
PHB speak: some, implement
If order to have the right mindset for programming, you must replace "some" with "one" and "implement" with "build".
In other words:
1. Is there something that you just have to have?
2. Do you absolutely have to build the first version yourself?
If you can answer both questions "yes", then, by all means, get started. Just start building something. Resources are right at your fingertips. You don't need college, classes, or special training, just a burning desire to learn what you need in order to build what you have to build.
If, on the other hand, either of your answers was "no", then you probably should stay a manager and assemble a team/project to pursue your ideas.
Either way, age has nothing to do with it. All that matters is what you really want. And the only one who can determine that is you.
No matter your age, to learn code is not done over night. focus on getting things done.
my 2cts... im older than you but i started to code in early 80's :)