Computer science vs programming. What is the better route? What independent studies should I do in high school

I'm planning on going into the computer field after high school. Right now I am a junior (11th grade) and an honors student. I am stuck between Computer Science and Computer Programming. Even though I'll be taking Calculus AP next year in high school, I want to stay away from advanced math as much as possible as that's one my weaker subjects. I'm shooting towards a well-paying career (over $70,000US a year not considering the inflation rate in the next decade). I'm looking for advice on whether I should go toward a Computer Science major or Computer Programming? I have an open period this year and one open period next year during my school day in which I can do an independent study with the help of my computer programming teacher. So far I am familiar with Visual Basic 6, HTML, Java, many professional web design applications and can troubleshoot many problems on Windows.





What major is better in terms of jobs and salary?


What major is easier?


What courses to take in high school?

Computer science vs programming. What is the better route? What independent studies should I do in high school
I hear this question a lot. I have a BS in Computer Science (CS) and have no certifications but earn well into 6 figures (13 years in the field now currently specialized in SQL Server/.NET). Programming is a subset of CS. CS deals more with problem solving, algorithms (step by step solutions in english), data structures, computer architecture, etc. things on a much more theoretic/abstract level. You also learn application/database architecture, crucial to providing overall solutions.


Programming on the other hand is just a language used for a particular application (solution) and gets translated into via an algorithm written in english. Example, I had never used Active Server Pages (ASP) or Visual Basic (VB) before and wrote a full blown enterprise application using these technologies and the only thing that slowed me down was learning the various language syntax. Bottom line, a degree is invaluable, learning languages is secondary.


I believe a Computer Science degree is the best credential, don't worry about level of ease and for high school, focus on math, physics, etc. I personally went to a Cal State where their CS program was accredited (very hard) and got the most out of it but go check out various univeristies for CS programs.


Good luck!
Reply:Computer science will teach you the fundamentals that you'll find necessary if you make a career in computer programming.





Computer programming, on the other hand, can be had at any old community college or online university. Besides, if that's all you know, you're competing with all the offshore development (read: India) that's being used these days.





Computer science is the way to go, but it will be more challenging in college. There's some advanced math, but it's fun, stuff like discrete mathematics, you won't really need calculus.





Good luck.
Reply:TBone's right. Computer Programming is a 2 year degree, and doesn't address the theoretical and engineering issues that you'll learn about in Computer Science.





Now, if you just want to bang out very simple code, Computer Programming is probably fine, but he's also right to point out that these are the kinds of jobs being outsourced.





The higher level jobs that involve software engineering are not so easily commoditized. For example, interacting with a customer to understand what exactly they want generally requires personal interaction. It's much harder to do that sort of thing remotely. The customer's specifications then have to be turned into a design, which is not something taught in a two year program.





If you want something less technical that still pays well, you could also look at MIS (Management Information Systems). MIS people use tools to solve the IT problems encountered in the workplace. This also requires physical presence, so it's not so easily outsourced. Computer Scientists are the ones building the tools. So, if you like making new stuff, CS is the way to go, but it's a harder major.

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