Is 26 "old" to start programming?

by 0oo0
44 replies
Hey I'm at a point in life where I want to make a life change but I feel that at 25 about to turn 26 I'm too late... So I am curious, is 26 considered old to "start" programming?
#programming #start
  • Profile picture of the author HFlame7
    A better question would be, "Is 26 too late to change my life for the better?"
    Answer is no, which includes programming
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  • Profile picture of the author tooAlive
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  • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
    I started programming at 32 (2 years ago). I just grabbed one of those "For Dummies" books and taught myself.

    It's never too late to do something until you're dead.

    -- j
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    • Profile picture of the author 0oo0
      Originally Posted by JaRyCu View Post

      I started programming at 32 (2 years ago). I just grabbed one of those "For Dummies" books and taught myself.

      It's never too late to do something until you're dead.

      -- j
      How long did it take to understand the basics? And are you proficient yet?
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      • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
        Originally Posted by 0oo0 View Post

        How long did it take to understand the basics? And are you proficient yet?
        Let's put it like this: My boss wanted me to do a tracking spreadsheet that she could print out and write on. I misunderstood her and thought she wanted an inventory tracking system.

        I read the "Dummies" book in 1 day and proceeded to spend the next month creating a full disaster supplies inventory tracking system for a 16 county area where I work. That was in VBA, which is a variant of Visual Basic that can be found in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and several other major programs.

        I then went on and learned the basics of VB.Net through a continuing ed course, then I used that to pickup C#'s basics. I just finished Java 101 and 102 with a 98 and 99.8 respectively, never bothering to open the book for each class. (I'm getting a degree in IT now.)

        I'm not a master programmer by any means, but I can definitely do what I wanna do with any of those 4 languages.

        -- j
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        • Profile picture of the author VHSEOMike
          No, you should start.
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    • Profile picture of the author jwmann2
      It's never too late to do anything especially when it comes to computers. When the average person lives to be 80 years old these days, how is 26 too old to do anything?
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    • Profile picture of the author MorpheusMirror
      Originally Posted by JaRyCu View Post

      I started programming at 32 (2 years ago). I just grabbed one of those "For Dummies" books and taught myself.

      It's never too late to do something until you're dead.

      -- j
      Soo True, programing is a language and logic as long as you are willing to put in the work you will reap the rewards.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brandon Sean
    Originally Posted by 0oo0 View Post

    Hey I'm at a point in life where I want to make a life change but I feel that at 25 about to turn 26 I'm too late... So I am curious, is 26 considered old to "start" programming?
    hey your ONLY 26!

    even if your 36 or 46 you're not late at all.

    and by the way you want to make a "life change" by learning programming? :confused:

    I assume life change means having more money or a side income, if yes you don't need to know programming even..

    -Brandon
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  • I don't think it is ever too late to do something to better yourself. If programming is what you want to do then I would go for it!! People change directions in the careers at all different ages. Personally I think 26 is very young.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    26 or 96....it's NEVER too late to try something new.

    Go for it!
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  • Profile picture of the author Vivek_Sharma
    Best of Luck go ahead

    You have made a right decision at the right time!
    There is no age for learning
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  • Profile picture of the author Marty M
    No 26 is not too old, actually, you will probably be able to focus better than when you were younger. Go for it!
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  • Profile picture of the author DannyDisco
    You're never too old. I learned programming when I was 15. Dropped it completely when i was 19, then started again when I was 30. I shutter to think where I'd be today if I kept going. But it doesn't change the fact that you're never too old to make a change
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  • Profile picture of the author payment proof
    26 is not too old. You're never too old to try something new.
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  • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
    You're never too old to follow your dreams. Go ahead and learn programming.
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  • Profile picture of the author dizen
    If it is your passion start now ........... 26 is very young .. I started learning programming .... etc at 25.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew NY
    You already knew the answer you'd get here. You knew that no one would say you're too old. If anything you're young, and have more time to start than ever.

    No one is ever too old to start anything. I mean, I guess an 82 year old guy in a wheelchair can't try out for the NY Giants, but you know what I mean.

    I guess, MENTALLY, you can always continue to grow yourself, no matter how old you are.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bluestarace
    You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.- C.S Lewis

    If it's your passion, then go for it. Besides, 26 is freaking young.
    Believe in yourself. Age is just a number. It's perseverance that counts.
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  • Profile picture of the author WritingService
    Late is only for those who hopeless
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  • Profile picture of the author rajat2k2k
    I started programming at 28. It's never too late for anything. If you want to excel in programming then the only prerequisite is passion.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aswad
    Its never too late to start something new. I start learning serious english 2 weeks ago and still practicing to improve myself every day.

    I think you are blessed having good mindset trying to change for better life.

    Stick with it.
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  • Profile picture of the author peewhy
    Ageist! you're only as old as the person you feel!
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  • Profile picture of the author ElaineHenderson
    I also say don't loose time, start learning what you want to learn now! Programming is not easy to be learn, it needs time, lot of reading and much more writing. But is never late, 26 is not even the half of your life!
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    • Profile picture of the author honestim
      26 is not too late for doing anything...and then programming is just another skill you are trying to pick up. However please note that it is not an easy ride especially when you are on your own. It requires a lot of grit to see through the initial phase where in you will be struggling to make sense of the syntax and at the same time you will be struggling with the logic if you are completely new. Please be prepared to give it the time you need to give.

      HonestIM
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  • Profile picture of the author Nickels
    I feel where your coming from...Im turning 30 next month and theres alot of things I want to do but I tell myself Im too old to start this or that but we need to get out of that mindset, because at this age you know more of what you want and are more focused like said earlier. I needed to read this thread myself!
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  • Profile picture of the author williamk
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    Its better to start doing than waiting. And no age is old enough to learn something. And don't worry about anything. Just start doing. THat is the best advice I can give you.
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  • Profile picture of the author AndrewStark
    If you're going to do it freelance then age is not an issue, just work on building up a portfolio and blog about your adventures in whatever type of programming you do.

    Like all industries big companies are cutting back and turning more to freelancers, they don't want to have the overheads of full time staff, and one off tasks such as programming are perfect for freelancing.

    Have a look round the freelance sites and start bidding on projects.
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    • Profile picture of the author robestrong
      I did start programming at like 10 or 11, but I can definitely say that no age is too old. At 26 you're at the zenith of your weighted fluid/crystallized intelligence, so you should take to coding incredibly fast.

      Plus you have a better understanding of IM and the world in general, so its like having a big headstart.
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  • Profile picture of the author project1010
    Yes, you should start if you have interest in programming you can learn within 6 month time period .

    Best of Luck
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  • Profile picture of the author daddykool
    Def NOT!!!

    Look at Bill Gates, 56 and still hasn't started programming, but he makes a good living

    Grab some free C++ / Python / Delphi etc books and read up in the bath every night, before you know it, you will know it!

    Coding is a good hobby to try out
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  • Profile picture of the author keithotzkie
    Hi there..
    I dont think age matters when learning programming..
    As long as your willing to learn it, why not..?
    Besides, 26 is not that old..
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  • Profile picture of the author Litherland
    i dont think your too old to change your career path an start to learn something new. As long as you do the things you want to do in your life then thats what matters, Theres so much to learn and so many things that you can do and keep changing throughout your life. Its exciting and i wouldnt worry about being old at 26 . Good luck
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  • Profile picture of the author pavels
    Of course not. It's not important how old you are. What is important, is how much time you can dedicate to studying it, and how easily you can learn.
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  • Profile picture of the author CyborgX
    It is never too late for doing the right thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author sara121
    hey i don't think so age is any barrier for starting anything new. You just need a zeal to start something new.
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  • Profile picture of the author hajro
    You aren't old to learn new stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author avigma
    Don't think you are late. You are ahead from the millions who will learn after you.
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  • Profile picture of the author kyle4hire
    I think not dude even at 26 if you are really interested it's not too late for you.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author so11
    Hello,

    I strongly recommend this : "Deitel and Deitel programming books".

    Its the best in class!!!

    So11.
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  • Profile picture of the author funkynassau
    I'd say it's a good time to start because at almost 26 you are more mature than you have been and might have a good idea on what you want to do with your life. Go for it, you wont regret it! I tell my son, who is 24, you cant have too much education!
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  • Profile picture of the author asivach07
    willingness is a sword of warrior, so do not hesitate start as soon as possible!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author karoubalou
    Hi, it is never late to change and learn. During your life you need to always learn something new..I am 29 and I started learning programming 5 months ago. I am not an expert but I can develop websites good enough. So, No it is not old!
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    • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
      Originally Posted by daddykool View Post

      Look at Bill Gates, 56 and still hasn't started programming, but he makes a good living
      Umm...have you ever actually read anything that Bill Gates ever did? He was programming computers back in the days when you had to use punch cards to program them. He wrote ported BASIC for the first computers (not in BASIC, the actually language, BASIC), and he also wrote MS-DOS to pair it with the original IBM PC.

      -- j
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