Two part question about computer programming?

From what I see, everybody is into computer programming. My first question is this… Will it be worthwhile to go to school to become a computer programmer? When I graduate, will I have a guaranteed job? (I know there are no guarantees, but I mean the same kind of guarantee a schoolteacher would have. Teachers pretty much have guaranteed jobs). Or are computer programmers a dime a dozen and I will have to claw my way into a job?





Second question is this. What development environment do professional companies use to program top of the line games using C++? (i.e. Microsoft Visual C++)





And hey, when I graduate… Can any of you offer me a job – preferably in the southwest (from California to Texas)? O.K. so it is a three part question!

Two part question about computer programming?
There are no guarantees. I find that interpersonal skills - particularly one's ability to sell oneself - are a better predictor of finding employment than any technical skill. I have worked in the computer industry for about a decade now, and my father has been in the industry for about 30 years - and in both our cases there have been times when we were out of work for lengthy periods of time. On the other hand, it has - for the most part - lead to earning a good living.





Game development these days seems to be largely done in Visual Studio. I'm not sure if C++ is going to still be the standard by the time you finish a degree. The Java people are still trying to make inroads (that's what they teach in school these days), and Microsoft seem to be pushing C# instead.





In general, working in the game industry isn't what it is cut out to be. Think long working hours, high stress, and lower than average pay.





As far as jobs go, my company is mostly in Canada!
Reply:computer programming is the best thing u can do if u have a logical brain...i.e programming will be handy if ur smart, logical minded .... and u get this logic by learning the complete programming language and knowing what kind of wonders you can do with it.....





In future ...well i can guarantee that u will find a job if you are good at it.. .. you need to program something to show your brain's potentiality ...








C and C++ is the basic programming....if u get this...then any other type of programming will be easy for u....
Reply:good programmers are always in demand.





c++ is good. but you prob want to learn a good scripting language like perl as well. also try to learn some databases and networking.





games generally use vc++, but that's a very competitive environment. you are better off doing c++ on unix for financial company or something.





also look into java. not as popular as c++, but certainly worthwhile.





if you are good, CA has plenty of programmer positions.