Study Informatics because I like programming?

Question

Maybe this question is not really programming related, but since I believe that a good number of SOlers had to ask themselves the same question once SO seems to be the right place to ask.

Next year I want to study here in Germany. Since I have many interests there are many possible branches of study. One of my favorites is Informatics, because I like to program and arguably am good at it. Last year I wrote a paper on CMSs. Also I like setting up servers and all that administration stuff.

Needless to say that Informatics is not nearly only about these two topics. But nonetheless I'd like to know whether it is a good idea to make a decision for Informatics because of these interests?

What I'm looking for are people who may already have made experiences with studying Informatics, just because they liked to write programs.

Answer 1

The best programmers I know are great learners and do not artificially limit themselves to just learning new programming skills. I would follow your curiosity as you please, especially if it is in what sounds like some very useful domain-specific knowledge.

Joel/Jeff, The Pragmatic Programmer, and others often talk about keeping your programming skills up to date. Often this is discussed in the context of giving yourself a fresh perspective on something outside your day-to-day programming activities. For example, a C programmer learning Python will get a lot of use out of their time investment.

I also think that the same C programmer working on widgets can make a similar investment in learning about the field of widgetry. In both situations the programmer makes a time investment, and will have a good return on investment.

In general that type of programmer is going to be the same person you hear about spending their non-programming time trying and learning lots of new things just for fun. They thrive on learning, even if its just fun stuff.

Answer 2

I guess that depends on what type of learner are you, and what the formal study of Informatics will offer you as opposed to your delving into what interests you about Informatics and pursuing relentlessly on your own. Are you assured that your instructors will inspire you while they are guiding you? Do you run the risk of not being exposed to proper methods if you study on your own?

Some areas of computer science absolutely require formal training, yet with so much information available to you via the Internet you could probably create a nice self study curriculum in conjunction with formal classes at the university.

Answer 3

Many years ago, I studied computing science for a year in University before I dropped out. I found the theoretical side didn't interest me much at the time.

I'm now a full-time professional progammmer, and I find myself rather belatedly studying a lot of the things I would have studied in university. It turns out that the "theoretical" stuff is actually quite practical, too, once you get to a high enough level.

You're fortunate in that, if you like programming, it's not so tough to get a job in the field even without a degree. So start the informatics programme, and if you really don't like it, you can quit. But if you go in with the right attitude, I suspect you might enjoy it.

Answer 4

I think there are three main reasons for studying at a university:

• Theoretical background: Even though you may only need a fraction of that in your career, there is no way tell which are the things you need, and I have found it harder to "page fault" theoretical background than, say, a programming language. Learning these things also broadens your understanding, beyond "I know how to do X".
• You'll meet people and get exposed to attitudes and opinions, you probably won't encounter if you just started to work. (This is obviously true for studying anything, not just informatics/CS.)
• Having a degree will probably broaden your career options. I guess in Europe employers pay more attention to formal education than they do in the US.

Answer 5

I am now in my second year of my Bachelor in Informatics (at Ghent University, Belgium). I haven't got a single doubt that it was the best choice for me, and I chose this on a basis of liking programming as well.

One very important thing though is that you are good in (and actually like) mathematics, because we got quite a lot. It is also important that you can easily understand (sometimes very) abstract concepts, for Formal Logic and the like.

Here you can directly get a Master's degree in Software Engineering if you want to after the Bachelor, but there is also the "real" follow-up Master that continues the more theoretical approach. Either way can be very interesting. But if it is the same at your university, you could at least go to the less theoretical and more practical branch if you don't like it too much anymore. But the formal basis will definitely be an advantage.

So in short, go for it, but only if you are confident in your math abilities.