Ask HN: I'm a junior C++ programmer looking for part-time remote job
7 comments
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You sound like you might still in college or recently graduated. I would give you my suggestion for whatever it's worth.
People use C++ mostly for two reasons: 1. Performance 2. Legacy code. If you want to be in C++ space in a few years, you really want to know how to write code that's fast. To make a program fast, you have to at least have a basic understanding of hardware and parallelism. Look at Martin Thompson's blog "Mechanical Sympathy" and listen to his talk "It's all a numbers game " at last year's GOTO conference and see if these materials interests you.If not, you might be better off not solely focusing on C++.
People use C++ mostly for two reasons: 1. Performance 2. Legacy code. If you want to be in C++ space in a few years, you really want to know how to write code that's fast. To make a program fast, you have to at least have a basic understanding of hardware and parallelism. Look at Martin Thompson's blog "Mechanical Sympathy" and listen to his talk "It's all a numbers game " at last year's GOTO conference and see if these materials interests you.If not, you might be better off not solely focusing on C++.
I find it surprising that a junior programmer would want to master C++ and I can only encourage you to do it.
Mastering modern C++ will make it easy to learn other languages and idioms and it will give you a tool to produce efficient code that can run in a vast range of platforms and architectures.
Personally I have more fun with visual projects such as games ( check out SDL or SFML for 2D game libraries, or Unreal and others for 3D ), interactive installations ( take a peek at Ogre 3D, Cinder or openframeworks ) and audio and video processing, but you might have different interests.
Good luck!
Mastering modern C++ will make it easy to learn other languages and idioms and it will give you a tool to produce efficient code that can run in a vast range of platforms and architectures.
Personally I have more fun with visual projects such as games ( check out SDL or SFML for 2D game libraries, or Unreal and others for 3D ), interactive installations ( take a peek at Ogre 3D, Cinder or openframeworks ) and audio and video processing, but you might have different interests.
Good luck!
Thank you!
C++ jobs are quite rare in REMOTE space. If you're in USA, you might have bit more chances (all those US-only remote jobs...).
I'm constantly seeking good C++ remote gigs (from Europe). Also, due to pragmatic reasons, besides other things, you might consider Golang/back-end development - there is quite a lot of remote Go jobs out there, and I personally prefer using it over java/ruby/python/etc...
I'm constantly seeking good C++ remote gigs (from Europe). Also, due to pragmatic reasons, besides other things, you might consider Golang/back-end development - there is quite a lot of remote Go jobs out there, and I personally prefer using it over java/ruby/python/etc...
I'm in Europe in fact. Just out of curiosity, where do you find all those US-only remote jobs? I haven't found any. (I realize I won't get them because I'm in Europe, but anyway... :-) )
Currently doing backend work in Python. Where do you find these Go jobs?
Thanks
Thanks
Go jobs: http://www.golangprojects.com/
As for US-only remotes - Actually, a vast majority of remote jobs from US companies are US-only, from my experience. This trend is as well becoming popular in UK (UK-only remotes). As for the places - HN job postings, SO, WFH.io, WeWorkRemotely.
Oh, and stay away from oDesk, Freelancer, Elance, etc race-to-the-bottom places.
As for US-only remotes - Actually, a vast majority of remote jobs from US companies are US-only, from my experience. This trend is as well becoming popular in UK (UK-only remotes). As for the places - HN job postings, SO, WFH.io, WeWorkRemotely.
Oh, and stay away from oDesk, Freelancer, Elance, etc race-to-the-bottom places.
Other languages are more in demand than C++. You'll have an easier time with something else.
I have a lot of C++ experience, but I've been taking jobs in other languages because the demand for C++ isn't there.
I have a lot of C++ experience, but I've been taking jobs in other languages because the demand for C++ isn't there.
I've seen a lot of c++ jobs in the finance sector in NYC
> I've seen a lot of c++ jobs in the finance sector in NYC
Fast + Legacy = Finance
But based on complaints I hear here in Zurich, the OP would never become qualified learning C++ part time to be the local expert directing offshore junior engineers.
If you want to compete with people who will have more hours of experience then choose a playing field with a reduced instruction set so you will also have had adequate hours with everything and you will only lose out against the minority who continue mastering the subject instead of just getting good enough.
C++ is the wrong direction for someone with a life because it rewards almost every hour of learning equally (or equally poorly depending on your opinions and futures predictions.)
Fast + Legacy = Finance
But based on complaints I hear here in Zurich, the OP would never become qualified learning C++ part time to be the local expert directing offshore junior engineers.
If you want to compete with people who will have more hours of experience then choose a playing field with a reduced instruction set so you will also have had adequate hours with everything and you will only lose out against the minority who continue mastering the subject instead of just getting good enough.
C++ is the wrong direction for someone with a life because it rewards almost every hour of learning equally (or equally poorly depending on your opinions and futures predictions.)
Are you working at a bank as a developer in Zurich?
No, I just live in Zurich. The past products I worked on were mostly for banks so I still pay a little more attention to what developers from banks and finance groups say when I run into them.
Personally, I am a long time C developer but I simply ignore any postings with "C/C++" and no longer use C very much when I have an option to use a language that is easier to find alone in job listings.
If you are serious about C++ part time then I would suggest something rather write-only in a small group. For example, I did consider learning some OpenMP and working with research scientists. That is a nicer situation since most groups end up using a reasonably small dialect to stay focused on the task and you probably wont waste limited experience time reviewing arbitrarily bad code that misuses esoteric features. But that is exactly why it doesn't adequately prepare you for situations like Banks or make you a "C++ Developer" instead of a good programmer who happens to be using C++.
Personally, I am a long time C developer but I simply ignore any postings with "C/C++" and no longer use C very much when I have an option to use a language that is easier to find alone in job listings.
If you are serious about C++ part time then I would suggest something rather write-only in a small group. For example, I did consider learning some OpenMP and working with research scientists. That is a nicer situation since most groups end up using a reasonably small dialect to stay focused on the task and you probably wont waste limited experience time reviewing arbitrarily bad code that misuses esoteric features. But that is exactly why it doesn't adequately prepare you for situations like Banks or make you a "C++ Developer" instead of a good programmer who happens to be using C++.
The finance sector is probably the least likely (along with defense) to allow remote work, particularly to a junior level candidate.
Hopefully I will get one of these finance jobs but probably in London in such case since I'm based in Europe
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You may check with https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2772398
I have nothing to show at the moment on my github page C++-wise but have written a poker client (Texas Hold'em only) and a simple chat client/server.
Maybe it's completely unrealistic to find jobs that fits my profile but I really want to move into the C++ space in a few years time.