[jsmcgd]

What do you want to ultimately achieve? Do you want to become a hacker or do you want to know about computer science for intellectual gratification? While these options certainly aren't mutually exclusive, they can however be very distinct.

If you want to be a productive programmer there is no substitution for programming experience. In the same way knowing a lot of music theory won't make you a great concert pianist without years of practice.

Computer science theory will allow you to attempt some problems beyond the reach of intuition. However a great deal has been achieved by people just having a go.

I don't think there is any one answer. There is no definitive example of a computer scientist or hacker. I'd recommend just getting stuck in. Try many different things. Find out what interests you and then read the relevant books. You'll go farthest if you're doing something you enjoy not by adhering to some consensus from a disparate bunch of usually jaded hackers :)

[simplegeek]

Thanks, I just want to have a firm grasp of theory and algorithms because I want to prove I'm not just a tester :) Also, I think I want to improve my chances of getting hired into a good software company. Because I guess if I apply to Google then I think they expect me to know decent theory and algorithms. So two aims a) internal gratification and thirst b) improving my odds.

Thanks again for writing in.

[bprater]

Want to prove you aren't a tester? Come into my office and slap down a couple hundred pages of well-written and documented code -- and be able to have a well-rounded respectful conversation about the technology involved.

You can tick-talk all day long, but I want guys that have the guts to get serious and the guts to get it done. Theory doesn't pay the bills, shipping code does.

You shouldn't wait to find a company to start your education on churning out great code, you need to start now, today -- go find an open-source project and dive in.

Every hacker here will tell you the same thing: You can read about having sex all day long, but when the lights are out and you are in the sack with a pretty lady -- experience is what counts.

[sutro]

Exactly! You need to come into bprater's office when the lights are out and slap something down. Then, dive in and start churning. Wait, what were we talking about again? Oh, right, having sex.

[tphyahoo]

you're probably not going to get hired at google without some kind of degree in computer science.

maybe you should do a long-distance course in CS.

fern uni hagen has one that I considered.

[atarashi]

I don't think thats true. Nostrademons, for example, was just hired there, and he has a degree in physics. If you can somehow demonstrate competence, even if its just from self-study, you should be fine.

[tphyahoo]

I shoulda said, if you have a B.A. and not a B.S.. (IE, a degree in some kind of science, rather than a humanity.

The OP was a history major if I recall correctly.

[simplegeek]

Do they offer courses in English? If so, can you please give me your email? Mine is rolf.oltmans@Google'smail