Testers

[TykeMerc]

I did do a quick search for the definition of profession, quite a few out there. For me if you train, learn skills, treat it as a career and get paid it's a profession.

Try again, that definition easily fits a trade, there is or was a commonly accepted definition of what constituted a profession, like it or not it's what you've already seen in this thread.

[woohoo]

Try again, that definition easily fits a trade, there is or was a commonly accepted definition of what constituted a profession, like it or not it's what you've already seen in this thread.

No I won't try again. I'm happy with the definition I have.

[cherhill]

Think you are being very harsh here. I am tester and have been for 16 years. I hate it and would love to do something else as it is a dull job and quite frankly most people can do it without much training unless it is something niche. We are also aware we are bottom of the chain. However, it is hard to move into a different area once you are doing it.

Most of my fellow testers feel exactly the same way as I do. However, yes you do get the odd one or two who think they are important and so are a pain the ass and you do get the odd one or two who actually like doing it but they are very much in the minority.

[Zero Liability]

Apologies for reviving this... so to clarify, as someone who wants to learn some coding and also see if it could be a good area to change careers to, would a language like Javascript be suitable, or would I be better off with Java or something else? I'm looking at courses at the moment to purchase, to get a start on it.

[SpontaneousOrder]

Apologies for reviving this... so to clarify, as someone who wants to learn some coding and also see if it could be a good area to change careers to, would a language like Javascript be suitable, or would I be better off with Java or something else? I'm looking at courses at the moment to purchase, to get a start on it.

It doesn't really matter - if you've never coded before then the basics from pretty much any language will be useful in learning pretty much any other language, and at least a basic understanding of varying different paradigms (Object Oriented, functional, etc) will make you a better programmer in the long run.

Once you get past the basics its more important to look at the bigger picture, but at that point you'll be better placed to work to out for yourself rather than having to just trust other peoples opinion.

[woohoo]

Apologies for reviving this... so to clarify, as someone who wants to learn some coding and also see if it could be a good area to change careers to, would a language like Javascript be suitable, or would I be better off with Java or something else? I'm looking at courses at the moment to purchase, to get a start on it.

I seem to be pushing Pluralisight all the time so sorry. However, the course below looks pretty basic.

Pluralsight Training

Also, seem to be a few more courses on beginning programming.

Pluralsight.

Regarding which language to learn, I'm not entirely sure. What do you want to produce? Phone apps, Desktop apps, Websites?

I think there are quite a few generalists out there like me, who are competent at many technologies but not experts. Starting again, I would specialise in a specific technology and learn it well and become an expert in it.

Just to warn you, learning a new technology is extremely frustrating and slow but can be rewarding if you stick with it - good luck.

[BrilloPad]

Speaking of Testers.... where is Mich these days?

+1

[Zero Liability]

I seem to be pushing Pluralisight all the time so sorry. However, the course below looks pretty basic.

Pluralsight Training

Also, seem to be a few more courses on beginning programming.

Pluralsight.

Regarding which language to learn, I'm not entirely sure. What do you want to produce? Phone apps, Desktop apps, Websites?

I think there are quite a few generalists out there like me, who are competent at many technologies but not experts. Starting again, I would specialise in a specific technology and learn it well and become an expert in it.

Just to warn you, learning a new technology is extremely frustrating and slow but can be rewarding if you stick with it - good luck.

I've heard of pluralsight before, as well as udemy. As for the platform, I'd like to be able to produce desktop apps.