Today there is a tremendous demand for professional programmers. This is the single most lucrative and rewarding career path available to the self-taught and self-motivated, and this book tells you everything you need to know to get started. Take this road map and completely understand the work environment, alternative career paths, and the skills needed to be a professional computer programmer. Find out about the really important stuff, too: salary ranges, paths of self and assisted training, interview preparation, obtaining job experience, and how to network for job advancement. The Complete Idiots Guide to a Career in Computer Programming puts you in control.