Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use contract programming companies to create custom software

There are many business problems for which no off-the-shelf solution exists. A contract programming company should already have a well-established methodology for developing software.

I recommend: Look at a computer programming and contract service like Accent Technologies that have a solid process methodology. A software developer typically spends the first 30 to 40% of the development time gathering user requirements. Alternatively, Surrex Consulting offers contract programming along with other services.

Contact different computer programming corporations to determine their areas of expertise

The goal of this first contact should be to describe the business problem that you need to solve and establish the programmer services firm's ability to provide a solution to that problem.

I recommend: Complete the questionnaire like the one at Computer Programming Services. Note that the requirements section deals with general information while the questions on the software environment are specific. Tometa Software provides a plethora of services.

Consider a flat rate for an application programmer instead of a fixed price.

A flat rate is usually more appropriate for contract programming where the task is frequently ill defined and 'feature creep' is inevitable.

I recommend: Look at companies like Computer Facilities Management Services that list a flat rate for their services. This makes it easy to calculate the ongoing expense. I and I Computing on an hourly contract or flat-rate fee.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Beware of consulting firms that try to fit the problem to their area of expertise. While programming languages are very different, an experienced application programmer can become proficient in a new language relatively quickly.
• •  Use a contract programmer's spare time to provide training for more junior staff programmers. This will decrease the amount of time you are dependent upon outside help.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gather a range of opinions from computer programming professionals

Expert opinions may best help you narrow down the best computer programming language that fits your needs.

I recommend: Visit respected technology-savvy blogs ranging from Slashdot to Lifehacker, or visit tech-savvy social networks like Ask Metafilter. At these websites, ask (or search for answers to) the question: "What is the best first computer program language to learn?" If you feel overwhelmed by the number of opinions offered, Tiobe Software's Index ranks computer software languages on the basis of programmer popularity polling.

Visit program language developer Web sites

Many high-tech community forums and blogs most-often cite Python, Ruby, Java, C#, C++, and even COBOL as best first computer program languages.

I recommend: Explore developer Web sites for Python, Sun Developer Network (Java), and Microsoft Visual Studio (C# and C++ are built in).

Read beginning chapters of each programming language's online tutorial

You might know at first reading which one of these tutorials is easiest to understand. At a developer's website, there may be several tutorials written in different styles. It may be best to select those geared to non-programmers.

I recommend: For Python, start with their online Beginners Guide to Python. For Java, start with the Java Developer Network's Young Developer page. (Don't be intellectually offended by the kid-oriented tutorials offered here.) For C# and C++, start with My Learning Path at Microsoft Visual Studio's Beginner Developer Learning Center.

Create an easy-to-execute program in each language

'Hello World' is a simple and almost ridiculously short computer printer command that can be executed by a wide list of computer programming languages. This may be a good way to compare and sample each language's ease of use.

I recommend: Louisiana Tech or Wolfgang Rosler's list of "Hello World" programs available in a wide variety of computer languages.

Download program language software free (or trial)

For safety's sake, these software downloads should preferably be from the developers' websites.

I recommend: The Java Development Kit with tools may be downloaded for free. An Express Edition of Microsoft Visual Basic computer programming language (recommended for beginners) may also be downloaded for free. A full version of Python software is also free.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  After choosing your first computer program language, you may want to print out the developer's tutorial if you are not comfortable reading an entire tutorial on a screen.
• •  It is no disgrace to give up. Programming requires a specific type of mental agility. Note that there are many intelligent people who cannot draw or play music.
• •  Don't worry about not having software certification or a B.S. degree in computer science programming languages. The programmer community tends to respect achievements more than degrees.