<p>Hey sorry to start a thread for a trivial question like mine but:
ok I am a girl and am going to major in computer science. I enjoy programming and using computers and all. But I know that people who go into CS are like major comp geeks and can do anything with a computer and are like obsessive gamers. Now I love computers and I spend a lot of my time exploring it. but havent really had access to anything else. I just don't want to be like this odd one out. So basically my question is(really dumb) is am i cut out for CS?? I know I like it, but I want to know if I will survive it without having the background which a lot of others have(mainly guys) and all the guys in my class think im like a genius but I don't know..my question basically is: what kind of people go into CS and if its right for them how will they know?? Plus I want to go into animation or gaming...I know that if you know ure good u will shine but I just want to know if my lack of so much experience will affect me.</p>
<p>Okay I know this is a REALLY dumb question. It's just it's been nagging me for some time. maybe cuz i've been reading too many articles and have been out of it for quite some time now..but anything will do...</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. A lot of the hot-shot programmers starting out will sort of fade away over the four years as they refuse to learn anything new and the originally less experienced ones surpass them. I’ve seen it time and again. If you like programming and are good at logic and math (not the getting-the-number math, but the solving-the-problem math) then you will be better served knowing less about the kind of stuff you’re worrying about than more of it.</p>
<p>Laying the foundation is easier before the house is built.</p>
<p>Computer Science programs teach programming skills, give you some
exposure to hardware, and provide you with theory. The programming,
math and science courses are usually pretty hard in the first two
years and there are many that change their minds on their majors
after those first two years.</p>
<p>Computer geeks may understand technical aspects of computers (how
to build a system, specs of chips, graphics cards, etc.) but they
don’t necessarily know programming or computer science. But they have
a passion for computers which can help them get through the computer
science program.</p>
<p>Gamers may or may not know how to program. They may or may not have
the math and science interest to succeed in a computer science
program. But they do have strong motivation: to build what they
enjoy. Sometimes it’s enough and sometimes it isn’t. A lot of students
find out what computer science is along the way and some find that
they like it and some find that they don’t.</p>
<p>I think that a better predictor of success in a CS program is how
interested you are in math and science over gaming and tinkering
with hardware.</p>
<p>Ok thanks this helps a lot!!! Yes I do enjoy math and science…and i love programming…so i hope I will be fine…and i will learn a lot along the way…so i guess I can’t really say I will be clueless…I do want to program games though. In fact I programmed a game for my senior year CS project. so in the end it all comes down to your logical and thinking capabilities…your reassurance really helps. I’ve just been hearing about how all CS majors are good with everything and already HAVE the knowledge before entering university…so I was intimidated…Gracias!!! :)</p>
<p>Many have some knowledge before entering university - they may have taken AP CS or a few programming courses. This may be helpful if it was taught well - in some cases it can be a minus due to overconfidence or misteaching. It’s unlikely that high-school students will have a background in hardware and theory and you’re on at least equal footing there.</p>
<p>Ok that’s comforting to know, thanks!.. but yes I’ve taken AP level CS courses. As far as programming is concerned I am quite strong in basics and more advanced. I have even managed to create a game that has a 30-page code. And it is because of this, I think I’ll be able to manage learning further. As in i’m not overconfident, rather i’m encouraged…</p>
<p>Sounds fine to me. You should probably work on getting an appropriate placement for your intro courses.</p>
<p>Unless the CS programs have changed drastically since I was an undergrad, the CS program is made for folks without prior programming experience. You can even take a programming course that is less-intensive that the first required CS course to get your “feet wet” and it in most cases, if won’t affect your 4-year schedule.</p>
<p>…kind of like taking a Pre-Calculus or Calculus Concepts course to prepare you.</p>
<p>Like the others said, if you can nail the logic and systematic process of programming, you will be fine.</p>