Beginning programming

[Sutareteiru]

Programming has been something ive wanted to dive into for a while now and im looking for the best way to start. I am a very dedicated person, I am a quick learner, and have a basic understanding on how computers work. Basically i can google my way through technical problems pretty easily. So im looking for suggestions on where to start, what books to read or projects to start. I have been told PHP and SQL are good languages to learn. So any suggestions are appreciated, thanks much!





Nick

 

[Markbnj]

I would suggest starting with some simple things you'd like to be able to do. Maybe that means displaying a web page, or writing a little windows app to do something. There is a thread with a list of free tools at the top of the forum, and there are lots of sites with tutorials (a good idea for another thread). If you come up with a couple of ideas for small projects we can point you in the right direction.

Otherwise all I could suggest is to get a copy of Eclipse if you want to do Java, or Visual Studio Express for VB/C#, and just start playing with it. You can feel free to post your questions here as you go.

 

[Cogman]

I would say that what language to learn first and where you want to start really depends on your interests. For example, if you want to make simple programs that open text boxes, calculate numbers, ext. I would suggest VB as it is fairly easy to learn and has lots of tutorials available.

If you wanted to learn to make webpages (dynamic web pages) I would first suggest you learn HTML (VERY easy to learn, not really a programming language IMO) and then either PHP, python, or Ruby on rails.

If you wanted to start making games, then I would suggest learning C++ or C#.

Don't get me wrong, you can pretty much use any of these languages for any of the other areas (there are a few python games out there) but those are the areas I see these languages best suited at.

My self I started with Perl and VB. Now my favorite language to use is C++. Your millage may vary.

 

[irishScott]

If you can afford it, I'd suggest taking a class a local college. Much more efficient than teaching yourself if you find the right instructor.

As for the language, depends on your goals. I wanted to jump into OS/game/technical programs, so I had 2 years of Java in High School (Basic CS followed by AP CS), and 2 years (and counting) of c++ in college. The transition was nice, because you learn most of the basic programming concepts in java, which "holds your hand" by comparison to c++ (more detailed error messages, automatic memory management, etc), then you graduate to c++ and lower level, more technical concepts like manual memory management. c++ and Java have almost identical syntax, making the transition even easier.

The only other language I've really gotten into is Python. It's WAY easier than Java and is an awesome language, but c++ and Java are the general gold standards if you want to make a career out of it. If you're just in it from a hobbyist perspective, choose whatever language you want and go for it.

 

[Sutareteiru]

Thank you for all the informative responses, I would like to make a career out of it as well as a hobby, as for classes, I tend to learn faster on my own and learn more detailed information, only because I have the entire internet at my disposal and great places like this for any questions that may come up during the learning process.


As for my interest in which programming language I want to learn? to be honest all of them, but for the moment i would like to do something career orientated such as working with databases and/or web site management/support. Thank you again for your replies!



Nick

 

[sourceninja]

Learn to use scratch http://scratch.mit.edu/

It really helps you grasp the fundamentals without much barrier to entry. Then worry about program languages.

 

[Schadenfroh]

t i would like to do something career orientated such as working with databases and/or web site management/support

JAVA, IMO.

Once you get the hang of JAVA, here are some free tutorials to help you learn how to make use of JAVA's website / database ability:
http://www.coreservlets.com/Apache-Tomcat-Tutorial/

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: Sutareteiru
Thank you for all the informative responses, I would like to make a career out of it as well as a hobby, as for classes, I tend to learn faster on my own and learn more detailed information, only because I have the entire internet at my disposal and great places like this for any questions that may come up during the learning process.

The internet is an excellent resource, no doubt about it. But as far as self teaching goes, I would strongly recommend finding a good book to learn from. Most internet tutorials don't go into enough detail and they often jump into teaching you the 'interesting' stuff without giving the foundations behind it, leading to a lot of voodoo code that you'll copy&paste into your source without understanding it properly. Just my $0.02.

 

[drebo]

I second the above poster. The internet is a terrible tool to use when learning a language. A professor, instructor, or book will teach to the methods behind the madness. The internet and tutorials generally only give you an example of the madness.

Now, if you already have a good grasp of the language and simply have a question about one single task (such as "How do I initiate sessions in PHP?"), then the internet can be a great boon. But, it requires that you already have a decent grasp of the language and programming in general.

 

[Sutareteiru]

I have obtained a book for java and also a book for php and sql. I have also just purchased a Synology DS-107E NAS along with a 1tb hard drive. Apparently it already has sql and php installed on it and I would like to use it for a small project such as a test forum or some sort of platform in which to practice. For now i am reading my book and going to go from there, but if there are any other suggestions out there, it is very appreciated, thanks all!



Nick

 

[trexpesto]

Originally posted by: trexpesto
Python - it's fun!

It's easy to set up

and

get started fast.

The language is simple, pretty natural language, with less clutter like { ( / * * / ; ) }
The tutorial and documentation are awesome, tons of open source too.
Great for games - check out pygame tutorial as part 2!

Only problem is it might spoil you for learning something "harder" like C++ or Java, which are more industry standards.

 

[brandonb]

For beginning programming, download Microsoft VB.net express edition (its free).

The reason I suggest this is because .net is used frequently in the industry, and Microsoft always has a nice solid package which works. When I first started programming graphics (games) I decided to try OpenGL because thats what everybody told me to do (this was in the late 90's btw)... But I found the help, examples, and everything else to be very hard to follow and I didn't get anywhere. It wasn't very intuitive. Then I downloaded DirectX and just reading the help files Microsoft provided much easier to follow and I stuck with DirectX.

I just started rewriting a program at work, it was in VB6 and I'm using Vb.net express edition, and each time I run into a snag, I google, and I find a solution within minutes. I've tried Java for work (the other programmer here uses Java and other free tools like Postgres SQL) and I find it alot harder to work with compared to Microsoft .net and their SQL server.

For starting off you don't want to be bogged down with platform problems/issues, you just want to code, and I believe Microsoft VB.net express edition is a perfect place to start.

 

[aceO07]

Have desire to learn and be creative. Sometimes programming can be frustrating and you need to WANT to keep going and find the answers and sometimes you need to find alternate way to accomplish what you need. If you put it down and delay for a couple of days, it can turn into months or never again.

I would recommend setting up everything on your computer and doing it there. That way you see the tools you're using and also install them.

Definitely learn the programming fundamentals first.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Do you want to learn programming or web development?

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Do you want to learn programming or web development?

That's a stupid question, both are same. Both need coding work.

for op:
if you are a beginner you might want to try VB.net or RealBasic(Multi-platform) for client side programming. For server side nothing is as productive as ASP.net.

 

[hooflung]

http://www.amazon.com/Object-O...-Library/dp/0672326116

Reading this would be good too. It is a very, very good introduction to understanding objects.

 

[hooflung]

Originally posted by: Aberforth
For server side nothing is as productive as ASP.net.

Please, it would be best to not start someone off with opinions on which language is productive and dive into an OT flaimbate war. I disagree that ASP.net is productive over something like CodeIgnigter or even Perl with Catalyst. See how this will end up? Only in trolls and epeen.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Do you want to learn programming or web development?

For server side nothing is as productive as ASP.net.

:laugh:

 

[spamsk8r]

I would lean towards either learning ANSI C (to learn the real basics of programming), Java (to learn object oriented programming), or a language like Python or Ruby (which have really good online communities and tutorials available, along with being simple to set up and play around with). SQL is not a programming language (it's a query language), and PHP is not really a good basis for learning programming in general (as its object oriented features are hacked on, and it mixes too much with HTML code, IMO).

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: hooflung

Originally posted by: Aberforth
For server side nothing is as productive as ASP.net.

Please, it would be best to not start someone off with opinions on which language is productive and dive into an OT flaimbate war. I disagree that ASP.net is productive over something like CodeIgnigter or even Perl with Catalyst. See how this will end up? Only in trolls and epeen.

Well, our company switched from Apache to .NET because they feel Apache is going to the dogs.

Php and Perl sucks- its true.

 

[Markbnj]

Language wars are funny. Rant and rave away, but keep it respectful.

 

[drebo]

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: hooflung

Originally posted by: Aberforth
For server side nothing is as productive as ASP.net.

Please, it would be best to not start someone off with opinions on which language is productive and dive into an OT flaimbate war. I disagree that ASP.net is productive over something like CodeIgnigter or even Perl with Catalyst. See how this will end up? Only in trolls and epeen.

Well, our company switched from Apache to .NET because they feel Apache is going to the dogs.

Php and Perl sucks- its true.

First off, Apache isn't a language. Second, .Net isn't a language, either.

Third, ColdFusion owns all in terms of raw productivity, anyway. It's the only web framework designed for rapid application development around. ASP.Net is catching up, but it's still a ways behind. This is what ColdFusion was designed for, and it does it well.

Yay for WISC (Windows, IIS, SQL Server, ColdFusion)

 

[degibson]

ADA IS THE BEST LANGUAGE EVAR.

 

[Markbnj]

I like a nice 1988 Turbo C++, maybe with a filet and some sauteed mushrooms.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: drebo

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: hooflung

Originally posted by: Aberforth
For server side nothing is as productive as ASP.net.

Please, it would be best to not start someone off with opinions on which language is productive and dive into an OT flaimbate war. I disagree that ASP.net is productive over something like CodeIgnigter or even Perl with Catalyst. See how this will end up? Only in trolls and epeen.

Well, our company switched from Apache to .NET because they feel Apache is going to the dogs.

Php and Perl sucks- its true.

First off, Apache isn't a language. Second, .Net isn't a language, either.

Third, ColdFusion owns all in terms of raw productivity, anyway. It's the only web framework designed for rapid application development around. ASP.Net is catching up, but it's still a ways behind. This is what ColdFusion was designed for, and it does it well.

Yay for WISC (Windows, IIS, SQL Server, ColdFusion)

*cough* ruby on rails *cough*