@poster,
I got only one question for you: Is coding what you really want to do, but you just don't have the opportunity to learn yet?
you are in good company if that's the case.
My first job was in a software house, with no industrial experience, outside the school programming stuff ( I studied elect eng) and also some small experience.
The job required learning an entirely different tool from the VB and C that I learnt in my spare time. Plus, I had no personal system.
The work environment was rather hostile, but I made up my mind to make the most of the opportunity.
Do you know what I did? I got up early in the morning, 3am in fact - and practised coding on paper for 2 hours before going to work. Practised, practised, practised, while saving money for a system.

The first pieces of commercial software I did was total nonsense, and I got enuff verbal abuse from my oga - but I stuck with it. Eventually, after months, I began to see results. My coding improved dramatically, till I could do end-to-end application development to some extent, at least I could survive the job. After about a year, I got a  better job in a place that offered interestingly more challenges and less pressure, as it wasn't a software house, but a financial institution that needed programmers. Consistency and hardwork (and of course my own system eventually) paid off massively. This is ten years later. Now I write software only for fun, and to test new ideas.

Now my advice to you is this: if coding is what you really really wanna do, you have to work hard. It requires a level of intelligence and hardwork, meaning you have to put your back into it somewhat. IF it's not, IT is big enuf. You can become a business analyst, DBA, governance specialist, network engineer, etc, etc.
Cheers.

I know it is tough getting a job out there but please quit now if it is driving you crazy and you are sure you cannot cope. You should not be scared of going to work on turning on your computer.

But if programming is what you really want to do, then face it head-on and you'll come out stronger. Otherwise quit now and pursue what you really want to do.

Hopefully ur still young, single and have some savings. cos it aint easy being jobless when you have dependants.

With everything in life u need to learn - What u r lacking is knowlegde . Please post what programming language u r required to know.

is it java and c++ / if u have the drive and have the time - u will learn everything u need to know in relation to the foundation knowledge within a week

await yr response

No. pls dont quit. I have a friend here in the UK who had a degree in mathematics and knew nothing about programming when he got his programming job. He had this kind of problem u face at first but with time and on-the-job training and self development, he got better. I'd suggest u enroll for certification courses so as to improve urself and u can use internet resources as well. All the best.

@ Poster. . .your post struck a chord with me and I will tell you and others a bit about my present and ongoing experience. . .

I am specializing in what is regarded as one of the most elite fields of knowledge at the moment. . .is it difficult? VERY! But that is not the story.

As part of the project I am working on, my team is developing a particular application. . .there is NO other application out there for it at the moment. I first got access to the code about 7 weeks ago. . .the development is classified. . .and guess what? No documentation!! The application has a bit of history as I understood. . .but the guy who did a lot of the present work, a post-doctoral fellow, resigned the team and moved to a foreign country. . .and the team has another post doctoral fellow left who, at least, had some interaction and made some contribution to the code when I got it.

So, getting on the team, I asked for documentation. . .unbelievably, NO DOCUMENTATION!! Now, this is not a classroom, academic software. . .it is HUGE! And wait for this. . .it's being developed in C++ .NET and OpenGL! Complex calculations. . .everywhere! So, I first started by developing first a front-end interface. . .had some issues. . .figured it out after much brain cracking. . .and then I moved on to some other module. . .I have never thought of giving up on anything until I got into this part of the work. The pressure? So intense. . .several days of cracking all my brain cells! Basically, you make a proposition of an idea on how to implement a solution to the problem and you try the implementation and imagine after several implementations fail / are impracticable / do not get correct results and it seems you are even much farther behind than you were when you started? Thrice I had questions when I got stuck and whenever I asked the post doc guy questions. . .his first response. . .always was that part of the code was written by the other guy that left! After trying to figure it out together. . .he (thrice) attempted to modify / add to my code and he always screwed it up! Errors everywhere and thrice I had to go back and correct all the errors to get the software back on track.

Meanwhile, one of the leads of the project (a lady). . .not a programmer or developer. . .sets up meetings upon meetings and deadlines upon deadlines. . .such intense pressure. But yesterday, I figured it out! Whaaaaaaaaooo!! Oh was I glad! Now, I am in a much better position than I was before but I am already so pissed off with the annoying and unnecessary pressure. . .in less than a month expect me to learn OpenGL, .NET (though I already knew C++) and continue the application and deliver on very unrealistic deadlines and I had NO documentation to study? Imagine asking questions that NO ONE can answer or NO ONE assuming they know gives an answer?

So, poster. . .look within. . .if you like programming and think you have the capability. . .though at the moment you are struggling with this project, then hang in there! You need to find someone who you can share and bounce some ideas off, someone who can help you along as you develop you competency. For most development work of significant difficulty, you should expect a learning curve spanning 5-6 months. Without any help or documentation, it could be longer. So, you don't have to give up just yet.

Finally, as for me, I have my deadline tomorrow and a meeting. . .I hope to complete what I need to get done BUT I have made up my mind to NEVER disclose or document my thoughts as to why I have taken certain steps or otherwise to implement any solution. Their arrogance and grandstanding just pisses me off and even if I were required to document the code in future. . .I will document ONLY the most obvious information in the code. . .the most important and knotty issues will never makes it to the documentation. In years to come or whenever, if anyone needs to upgrade or add to the code. . .they will pay and wait for him to makes sense of the WICKED code in the application. But unfortunately, not just ANY developer will be able to get a hang of the INSANITY in the code, they will need someone who has knowledge in this field or willing to wait to acquire the knowledge AND is / can become as competent in the development tools that have been used. Meanwhile. . .they can expect to shell out thousands of dollars while they sit and wait on their pathetic asses for their guy to 'deliver' by the set deadline.

Asides this, abeg if anyone knows C++ .NET and / or OpenGL (intermediate at least), holla at me and let's do some sharing from time to time. For people who are trying to get into programming or make a living from programming. . .invest time and effort in C++ and C# (.NET) and you wouldn't get any rest thereafter (good problem). In the meantime, let me say I am not even specializing in software engineering / software development / programming but these tools are very useful and at the right time, the right job will pay top dollars for you to play with them!

persist:

Mistake choosing my first JOb[/color]


I am working for a great computer programming company here in nigeria.I started two months ago[color=#990000].THough I studied physics I was given a chance  to prove my self in programming.I Loved the little I used to do while i was in school[color=#990000][/color] but now after like two month I fell like hell My head pounds during work and I get scared like shit.I am not even producing good code.The thing seems very stressful.

Please guys I am thinking of quitting with my integrity intact before one boss starts shouting  Useless on me.I am confused should I quit.I feel like I should switch to networking by attending at least a three month course.

NB A friend help me get this job actually and he said if i should quit within 2 months I will look like I cam to siphon some cash and run and also It will give him a bad name in the company since I entered through his recommendation.

Guy what should i do .Should I quit and just change careers?

I'm not a programmer, but I think I can say something. First, I dont think those who are saying he should quit diagnosed his problem carefully:

1. It is his first job (thus a new comer to the challenges in the work environment)
2. It is something he loved (hence he made out time to learn it while in school even though he was studying physics)
3. He has just spent two months on the job (wont he be a magician to know it all at this stage?)

I dont think his problem is a lack of interest in the job role (in which case, he would have to switch to another job or career). I think it is the normal challenge that people (especially new comers) face in the work environment.

@Poster,
my advice would be that you should stick with it. With time you will improve. I also faced the same challenge in my own field. This is the best time to make mistakes as a beginner and learn from them and grow.

having said that, it will also help to go ahead with your plan to explore other areas of IT, such as networking (while you are still on your job), just for the sake of personal development. You may find other areas more fun and do a smooth transition to other areas you consider fun, rather than 'cut out' just like that. In my opinion, that would be cowardly. and hey. . . the grass looks greener on the other side.

CyberG:



Asides this, abeg if anyone knows C++ .NET and / or OpenGL (intermediate at least), holla at me and let's do some sharing from time to time. [b]For people who are trying to get into programming or make a living from programming. . .invest time and effort in C++ and C# (.NET) [/b]and you wouldn't get any rest thereafter (good problem). In the meantime, let me say I am not even specializing in software engineering / software development / programming but these tools are very useful and at the right time, the right job will pay top dollars for you to play with them!

Dont get me started on that one - why not learn Java?

I guess the most important aspect is to start with understanding the principles of the Object oriented analysis and design -

Just curious, what kind of programming are you into?
Maybe you should consider learning to code instead of giving up on the job? Programming isn't too hard to understand, but oh! well, that depends on the kind or programming in question. Get books off the internet, when you get home from work, try to code a few scripts, ask colleagues for help when you run into problems and slowly, you'll get there

Na wa o!!!
Why should u quit ??
You should only do that if u don't have any interest in programming or IT as a whole,
I recently switched jobs i am an Oracle person by training n was asked to develop an application using VB.NET
My broda at first i was like what the, f****K

But i learnt VB.NET in one Week!! since then i never looked back so my broda d sky is d limit u can do it!!
Just believe and study the rest is history,

I've had similar experience and know what it feels like. I was going crazy by the 2nd month.
The first thing you need as a good programmer is PASSion(do u like programming?!!) if not
abeg my broda find ur way out of the place cuz trust without passion u'll soon start going CRaZY!!

in one word , DON'T ( okay thats actually 2 words )

[size=16pt]Q.U.I.T.![/size]
Mechanics cant learn by collecting people's automobile to mess up,
Carpenters don't learn with king's furniture
I'm a programmer and programming is not learnt with peoples important projects.

More-over, the skill u need to program an application must be gotten before you even start the application at all.
This is not textbook stuff man.
Go learn programming before you start getting jobs to do.

It is either you are a coder or u are not! No shortcut to programming logic

@ op,

i'm not a programmer , though i do er mess with lisp and vba sometimes

but i can tell you this. nothing comes easy.

some of us are lucky to start out in great environments some are ot, some of us are gifted with aptitude some arent,

but at the end of the day, its effort

to put it in the words of mike shinoda

It's just ten percent luck
Twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure
Fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name

there is no guru on nairaland that started out that way. none. everything is a gradual and sometimes painful process. if you quit now, you will probably look back with regret later on, when u realize all you needed was just that little extra bit of effort. a lot of us have been there before - i have spent cumulative days trying to hack some autocad addons into doing what i want them to do in the past

Why work at a job you dont have qualifications for? You need at least the basics. The little you learnt in school where ten people hunkered around one archaic computer will not help you much.

hayo as said it all.
U need to be calm and believe in yoself. 1st try and understand the problem i.e u know the target of the codes u are writing. Break the problem into even smaller bits and solved them from the simplest. Join I.T and technology forums and table the problem part by part. Ask question from experience people. By the time u do all this u will see answers coming.

It seems like you have no interest in programming, but somehow was able to get the job. You should have gone through a technical interview process, which if done thoroughly, they would have determined if you can do the job or not. As I have posted in several threads, programming is one field where by if you do not know it, and you some how got the job through a mediocre interview process or so, they will find out very quickly. My suggestion would be that you quit and go and do something you will enjoy.

@ Walakolobo!ever heard of too much information?

Thank you o jare, he is revealing waaaaaaay too much information.

@poster

To start with ade2kay, hayo and Cyberg have given very instructive comments.  They have said it all.

My little addition is the last statement of hayo ("if you run from this, you will keep running").

The people who employed simply didn't employ you on recommendation, they most probably know you do not have hands on knowledge of these tools, but they are banking on your analytical power and hoping you will get good in time.  It is not knowing language syntax that produce good codes, it is the mind that drives the writing of such codes.

Since it is a permanent position, 2 months is way too early to judge youself so harshly.  In between, you must have passion for the job - that and your innate skill, I believe wiill pull you through.

Seek knowledge (google, yahoo, programming forums), you will be surprised few months from now how much you have improved. 

What language do you use, what platform, what is the nature of the problem you are solving, if you answer these questions some people might be able to offer direct help that could jump start you.

If we are talking about .NET (C#. VB, ASP.NET, WCF, and Web services) Sql Server, and Oracle, I might be able to help. I like people who dare. Please don't quit. No risk no reward, no guts no glory.

Peace.

Am really disappointed that a lot of people are discouraging our brother.
It's a damn shame. In a country where most of the Top corporations out source software development projects.
It makes absolutely no sense for us to loose another software developer which our country greatly needs.
I have background in app development, database management and project management.
And I can tell you after over 10 years in the industry. It is absolutely ok for him to feel that way.
But you must persevere because you must succeed!
For others reading this thread all of you must succeed!Say Amen!
My brother don't be discouraged because those people who are criticizing you are only jealous that you had the guts to go outside your comfort zone.
Only a highly motivated and determined person can do what u did and I commend you.
But don't give up because you may be the next person to write that killer app that will provide solutions to problems out there.
And you may make millions!
Or you may be an encouragement for other as you go along by mentoring others.
For those of you criricizing we have expatriate IT professionals that earn over $1,000 a day.
They are there because you always discourage your own. These people believe you have no sense because you never encourage your own.
You dislike your own, but import not only goods but even Human Capital from other third world countries that are poorer than yours.
We all must remember that book knowledge is good, but actual experience is not taught in schools.
You learn by doing and it is ok to make mistakes. But remember one thing, always keep a backup of your code on your application or database.
So that if you make a mistake you can revert to the original copy and start over.
Know that  you will not always know the answer to everything, but you must find the information by doing research or finding like minds.
This is just one job and there will be many more that are better.This is just one of your stops in the IT field. You will get better pay and benefits with time.
Fellow naralanders if you can be of help assist this brother and God will help you in your own time of need.
But  above all have faith in God and you will succeed.

@poster
Life itself is a challange. so you are posed with the challange of your new job. well, if i would asked, how did you fair with the programming courses you took while in school? we are trainned in these courses to fit any where in the labour market. physists can fit into semiconductor/electronics industries,telecom,computing e.t.c to mention a few.
My advice to you is to keep to your job. if you need help, drop your mail so that i can see how to contact you and we discuss things.

Bossman:

It seems like you have no interest in programming, but somehow was able to get the job. You should have gone through a technical interview process, which if done thoroughly, they would have determined if you can do the job or not. As I have posted in several threads, programming is one field where by if you do not know it, and you some how got the job through a mediocre interview process or so, they will find out very quickly. My suggestion would be that you quit and go and do something you will enjoy.

my humble opinion too

@Tolu10, thanks for the encouragement for the OP. Its annoying seeing so called 'gurus' discouraging this guy and telling him to quit, and being condescending on top. None of them came out of their mothers womb with a C++ textbook in their hands.
Nonsense. At least the guy said he has passion. Funnily enough, the 'best' people I have met here in the field are the nicest, and the most encouraging, and willing to help. Not people saying 'If you cant deliver you are out', and he should 'quit'.
People with so called 'experience' still quake at times. How much more someone doing his first job.
I wonder how much some of these 'gurus' telling him to quit actually know anyways.
Crap, IMO.

I'll advise you to take it up as a challenge and focus on the job, get a senior porgrammer to train you in programming and you need to be determined.  However note that its not everybody that can code no matter how much time they are taught, you need to be able to have a wide sense of imagination because its not physical and you also need to be able to think logically.  If you feel you're not getting it after two months, i think you should quit on the job cos you might belong to the group of people who can't perform abstract thinking. i know that feeling, waking up in the morning and you're scared of going to work cos you don't know what you'll meet over there.

Guy, I will advice you to fake health or some other family emagency's that you need to travel back home, but b4 u do that pls try and discuss with ur benefactor, so u dont spoil his good name,

I actually did programming (java,oracle and co) like 4yrs ago when it was hot, men it was so stressfull, i had to run away, i had like crazy chinese and russians in my class, my freind who was making good money adviced me to do it, im glad i quit because im back at my regular feild, business related,

Boy oh Boy
it really depends on what the company see you as or what you promised during interview
if you made them believe in you as the prof and u can't prove it start learning because there always starting point
or  get a professional outside that office pay him and get the job done but remember the end justifies the means does not play in Nigeria.  

guy, i dont thing quiting the job is of most paramount NOW,what i really thing u should do ,is go on with the job like i normally tell others ,the of rome wasnt built in a day .there is no short cut to success.

My young man stay where you are? Abi u be coward? No be brains dey you head. If u fit read physics u go fit do small programming and from there you go big. Jobs no full for outside oh! When you start work newly it is always like that, u fit get job that you are not enjoying but hang on for a while. You will only have issue if you have no interest in programming at all, then you fit vamoose. How will you get programming experience if you quit after two month?

Are you qualified for the job?

Did you claim to have relevant experience to be able to handle the job?

Are you really a programmer?

Did you intend to learn on the job or get paid for doing a job?

These are the questions the poster must answer for us to know exactly what the problem is.

Good programmers are always looking for new challenges not running away from them.

As I have stated repeatedly, programming requires passion and logical reasoning otherwise you would run into problems when the money matters are done with and the time for real work comes.

In anycase, it's your decision and regardless of what we tell you only you will face the full consequences of your actions whether in your own best interest or not.

guy, i dont thing quiting the job is of most paramount  NOW,what i really thing u should do ,is go on with  the  job  like i normally tell others ,they church  of rome wasnt built in a day .there is no short cut to success.    

you wanna quit ur job because u ain,t focus? Can you tell me the name of the company pls? make i apply now . many people  here dey lose they job, say oyibo dem no get enough to programm als the Economy dey go down, and u wan comot for ur job! abeg i don tire here, i wan come back to my papa land. so if u still wan quit, no forget to inform ya paddy.  Programming ain,t that hard if u got the technics and tools. Fight on, and learn more through internet.           ich liebe Naija.

wait first , na Physic u do for school and u wan turn programmer over night? eno go easyooo! I am now 29yrs old and i start programming at age of 14. How long is that? Even now i still get carried away by some programming project and codes. think again watin u wan do.

Don't quit - you are probably on probation. You might think you are doing badly and your boss may think you are doing ok.
Coding is not harder than physics. You need to use the online code forums that you are programming in - they will be a great resource to help you.