How Do I Become a Computer Programmer?

Programming a computer has always fascinated me. To be able to type a few lines of english into a machine, and then it does all sorts of things for me, was really exciting. It still is. If I need to do some task, I just write a programme to do it for me and I can take the rest of the week off!
If you are a creative or lateral thinking person, computer programming can be very satisfying; especially if you are doing it for yourself or freelance. I've been programming in various languages since about 1987, and I still enjoy doing it.
So how do you become a programmer? Where do you start?
First off, you need to be able to work a computer. How to use the mouse, keyboard, move files, get around explorer and so on. You also need to have a reasonable ability in math. (You can learn it as you go along as well.)
Then you need to decide what type of programmes you would like to write - financial, games, operating systems, machine controllers, etc - because each type of programming has a particular type of programming language that is particularly suited to it. For instance, Delphi is fine tuned for Databases, C++ is good for operating systems, Visual Basic works well in web applications.


Then you need to select the programming language that you would like to use. eg. Delphi, C++, Visual Basic, etc, etc.
You will have to buy yourself a Compiler, the software package that you use to write your programs. (Or use one at your school or library, or borrow a friends computer if he's got it installed. But eventually you will have to buy your own.)
Then you need to either go on a course that offers tuition in this language, or start teaching yourself; in which case you will need books to refer to. Courses are available via correspondence, at technikons or at universities.
Then you need a couple of years (part time) to do all this studying. Maybe after a month or two you will be able to turn out programmes that are kinda useful.

Programming is a bunch of

commands written in a "language" that is normal english words, but a small finite set of them, together with symbols and punctuation that all has a particular function. For example:

Procedure WriteSomething ;
begin
form1.edit1.text := 'Hi there guys" ;
form1.edit1.visible := true ;
Application.Processmessages ;
end ;

This little bit of programming would put the text "Hi there guys" into a little box on the screen; but note: This is only part of a larger programme, and won't work by itself. If you leave out one of the semi-colons or a full stop, the program won't work!

So you have to write this "english" in a particular

format, so that the compiler can "interpret" it, and convert it into machine code so that the computer can "understand" it and execute it.
A

compiler is the software that takes your programme, written in this pseudo english, and converts it into a computer readable and executable form.