yazalpizar_ (3/28/2012)
One can learn to program and be a hell of good programmer without ever stuying computer science or anythig related to it....BUT be sure that this person will study by his own everything he needs and even more. Finishing a full 4-5 years of computer science will not turn you into Alan Turing, Linux Torvalds or any other, but will help to set the bases. Again, those bases can be settled up by your own, maybe in less time, maybe already targeting a known goal, sql developer, sysadmin, dba, .net developer, etc. But just knowing all the .net framework and all the commands does not make a good programmer. Studying and practice is the key to success, without spending hours studying and then applying that knowledge, no way that person can turn into a good developer/dba/etc.
I agree that it can be done outside of an academic institute or other structured learning methods but this issue is twofold:
1) People don't know what they need to learn without decent guidance.
2) People just don't do this (the majority that I come across anyway).
There are always exceptions of which I think that you will find a higher percentage amongst contributors to forums such as this.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!