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Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

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Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#41
post #23

I'm working (albeit freelance) remotely on a project that is 100% COBOL at the moment. They have offered full time work for me, so I know it's possible. I know COBOL isn't C, but it's the same concept - systems programming/secure stuff rather than bashing out websites.

I landed my first programming job writing COBOL(this was in 2012) and have always been on the lookout for remote COBOL opportunities, mind if I ask how you found your current gig?

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#43

I don't think there's a correlation between the primary language used at the job and the employer's willingness to allow remote working. Investigate C/C++ listings, see if they allow employees to work remotely. Obviously you'll be expected to appear in-person for the interview, but if they are sufficiently convinced that you can be left alone to get your work done, they might agree to let you work remotely.

Certainly there is. I'm currently working on a JSF project for a client ... it's nightmare to bring a new remote developer on board, their environment configured properly, eclipse working, blah blah blah. My last Django project, a remote developer had the app up and running in their environment and was fixing bugs before lunch to get a feel for our code. C/C++ jobs tend to be more more like the former than the later.…

It's secondhand, but I worked with a C/C++ embedded guy once who did exactly that - worked remote doing embedded software, carried around prototype device and interface hardware and shipped it back and forth as needed.

I also helped hire and support a consultant who was updating some C++ drivers for some proprietary hardware we had. He never actually came into the office, I just shipped him the device, supporting software, and emailed instructions.

So it's definitely possible to do, but it isn't the easiest type of job to get, especially if you can't visit the premises at all.

For the OP, I'd suggest relaxing your preferences on what type of code/language you want to write for now. Try to find a job doing something you already have the most experience in, but at a company that either has the C++ projects that you're interested in, or seems likely to have connections to companies that do that. Once you establish your competence with them, you may find it easier to switch over to C++ while still being all remote.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#45
post #4

For C++, you'll need to know Qt. It's probably easier to find an Objective-C job than a C job.

I'm giving this one an upvote. You certainly don't need to know Qt, but when I recently asked a remote / nomad developer about finding C/C++ work, he also recommended learning Qt. He said that while he didn't get C++ leads very often in general, he did see Qt leads coming through to him semi-regularly.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Series" is a bit generous, as it's two videos...

...which have nothing to do with programming DSPs.

Well, they certainly contain content that is part of the foundation of DSP.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#47

I don't think there's a correlation between the primary language used at the job and the employer's willingness to allow remote working. Investigate C/C++ listings, see if they allow employees to work remotely. Obviously you'll be expected to appear in-person for the interview, but if they are sufficiently convinced that you can be left alone to get your work done, they might agree to let you work remotely.

Certainly there is. I'm currently working on a JSF project for a client ... it's nightmare to bring a new remote developer on board, their environment configured properly, eclipse working, blah blah blah. My last Django project, a remote developer had the app up and running in their environment and was fixing bugs before lunch to get a feel for our code. C/C++ jobs tend to be more more like the former than the later.…

If your build environment is that difficult to setup and undocumented, that's a big problem, whether or not you are remote or an on-site developer.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#48

Mozilla allows almost every job to be remote and Firefox is written in C/C++. I'm sure there must be other companies :)

https://reason.com/blog/2014/04/06/does-mozilla-dumping-its-...

I'd be a little concerned of the culture at Mozilla though.

Mozilla's current board considers pandering to external forces more important than the old ways - merit, the hacker ethic, professionalism.

I can confirm they have vacant positions, I talked to a few who found work elsewhere after coup removed Eich.

It's sad when a company loses its way, but thankfully chromium is much faster.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#49
post #48

Mozilla allows almost every job to be remote and Firefox is written in C/C++. I'm sure there must be other companies :)

https://reason.com/blog/2014/04/06/does-mozilla-dumping-its-... I'd be a little concerned of the culture at Mozilla though. Mozilla's current board considers pandering to external forces more important than the old ways - merit, the hacker ethic, professionalism. I can confirm they have vacant positions, I talked to a few who found work elsewhere after coup removed Eich. It's sad when a company loses its way, but tha…

> Mozilla's current board considers pandering to external forces more important than the old ways - merit, the hacker ethic, professionalism.

Interesting. Do you have a source on that? Not denying what you're saying or anything.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Certainly there is. I'm currently working on a JSF project for a client ... it's nightmare to bring a new remote developer on board, their environment configured properly, eclipse working, blah blah blah. My last Django project, a remote developer had the app up and running in their environment and was fixing bugs before lunch to get a feel for our code. C/C++ jobs tend to be more more like the former than the later.…

If your build environment is that difficult to setup and undocumented, that's a big problem, whether or not you are remote or an on-site developer.

Agreed, but that's often the case with large legacy projects. I'm slowly pushing them to more modern approaches.
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