Can Someone Become a Programmer Without Formal Education?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to become a programmer without formal education. What you may lack is the oversight and guidance that a formal educational program provides. This can lead to missing subtle mistakes that might cause significant problems later on.

Importance of Guided Learning

As a self-taught programmer, you might encounter common but highly devastating defects that more experienced programmers have overlooked. For instance, one of the most common security defects on the internet results from programmers missing a critical piece of guidance. Formal education often includes rigorous reviews and mentorship, which can help catch and correct these issues early on.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

It's important to differentiate between engineering and programming. While engineers and non-engineers alike can learn programming on their own, becoming an engineer typically requires formal education. Engineering is highly complex and requires several years of structured learning to acquire the necessary skills.

Challenges Faced by Self-Taught Programmers

If you are exceptionally talented, you might be able to embark on a programming career without a formal education. However, the journey to becoming a confident and capable programmer is multi-faceted. Firstly, you need to read, practice, and convince yourself that you have mastered the basics. This self-assessment is crucial but can be a challenge in itself.

Next, you need to convince an employer that your skills are on par with those of professionals with formal education. This is particularly important during your first job search. Employers often set high standards, and without formal credentials, you might need to work even harder to demonstrate your capabilities. It's not uncommon for self-taught programmers to sell themselves at a discount initially, but it's crucial to be adept at showcasing your unique strengths.

Ultimately, the question is not only about becoming a programmer but about becoming a proficient one. Becoming a good Analyst, Designer, and Coder requires more than just programming skills. Most people with formal educations focus on developing one or two of these essential skills. Additionally, a deep understanding of software engineering metrics is crucial. Yet, even with these skills, very few professionals have read foundational texts like Halstead’s book on software metrics or other works on code metrics.

While it is possible to become a journeyman programmer through self-study, to excel in the field, you need to be exceptionally gifted, have a natural inclination for learning, and already possess a comprehensive understanding of key areas such as logic, data structures, flow of control, software metrics, structured design, and proofs of correctness. The path is challenging, but with dedication and the right resources, it is entirely plausible.

Keywords: programming, formal education, self-taught programmer