Where do I start (basic programming question)

[daveleau]

Hi everybody!
Everyone I ask gives me a different answer, but I am trying to find out where to start when it comes to basic programs. What language makes it easier to learn others?

One person said that once you learn C, you know all the others...
One person said Java is where it is at...

I want to eventually get into PERL and PHP, but want to do other useful programming.

I plan to do this as a hobby, and not as a career (as far as I can see at least). So I do not want to go for my MCSD or anyhting.

Thanks. And in your replies, please tell me why you are backing your recommendation.

Dave

[Goldwingnut]

You have received good info. PERL, Java, Javascript and PHP are all similar to C.

C is not an easy language for beginners, like Basic. But if you are willing to tackle two tough jobs, learning how to think like a programmer and learning an advanced language without going through an easy one first, C is the plan.

[blind to truth]

you most likely can't just jump into C. You should start off by buying Visual Basic and learning all that you can, like begginer stuff, then move on to API, then to C.

[zskillz]

I know java pretty well, and i believe that it was a good one to learn first. Both of my roommates are CS majors, and at CSU, you learn java first, then you move on to other languages (mostly C++)...
from what they have told me, they believe that this learning path is very good
-Z

[daveleau]

Ok, so I have three votes saying C is the way to go and two saying Java is the way to start.

Any more input on where to start so I can do stuff I would enjoy creating? for the web?

Thanks
Dave

Also, that is Java and not Javascript, right?

[This message has been edited by daveleau (edited 04-07-2001).]

[Goldwingnut]

Java is a programming language derived from C

Javascript is a scripting language, not related to Java. The creators of Javascript decided to ride the coattails of Java by using the name.

Java can create freestanding programs. It is mostly used for sorting data in webpages. It runs on the server, sorts data in a fashion determined by the customers request. It can create programs usable on a desktop PC, but is rarely used for that.

Javascript is a series of commands for existing programs. With Javascript you can make a graphic icon associated with a webpage link get bigger when the mouse passes over it. Wheee. Javascript runs in the webpage viewers browser. Javascript commands that work in IE don't always work in Netscape and vice-versa.

C - the grandfather of all of these - can create freestanding programs that work on a server or home computer. Windows was written in C. Almost everything is written in C.

Consider this from the perspective of a potential employer. If you can write in C, you can come up to speed in the other later programs quickly. If you learn how to do a thing in C, and find an easier way in Java or PHP - lucky you. If you learn how to do a thing in PHP the easy way, and need to do the same thing in C - you may have to learn the basics to get the job done.

Learning C before you learn the languages derived from it will make you more versatile.

I agree with the previous post by blind to truth, jumping into C will be tough. I started way back when, with RT-11 Basic. When dinosaurs roamed the earth. You have to learn two separate things to write computer programs:

How to dissect a large and complex task into small modules; and determine the order of events required to perform the tasks in those modules.

How to write the code that performs those tasks.

The second task is a bear at first, gets easier over time. Learning how to code in C while learning how to think like a programmer ain't gonna be easy.

More. go to www.informit.com (http://www.informit.com) You will have to register to use it, but it's free. Check out the free books on Java, Javascript, PERL, maybe PHP and of course C and C++. I'll bet most of the books on the later languages expect you to have some experience in C. You are allowed to download these books - there is a legal notice to that effect on the site - but you will get plenty of practice in HTML editing while making the table of contents work.

[This message has been edited by Goldwingnut (edited 04-07-2001).]

[RobRich]

I officially started with Fortran77. This is not exactly a great starting point, as the language can become seriously difficult for anything more than moderate mathematical manipulation. Fortran code can become complex for performing more than the simpliest operation.

More specific to your question, the college I attended required for CS majors to first learn Visual BASIC before anything else. I felt VB was a limiting language as compared to C. Luckily, the CS dean was willing to sign off on an individually structured program for myself. I started with procedural languages, such as Fortran and C. Then I progressed to Visual C++. Those following the traditional program suffered during the conversion process to other languages, as VB was imprinted in their minds. C holds more relation to most of today;s languages than VB, thus I was already ahead of the primary group. I recommend starting with C. Mostly likely the best beginning point would be standard ANSI C, as the format used for this code carries over to several other languages.

Good Luck,
Robert Richmond

[captpete]

I suggest some reading: "A Guide to Programming Logic and Design" by Farrell to get a good thinking foundation. Then go to your local community college and ask a career counselor. Although you don't plan on making it a career, I believe most will recommend starting with Visual Basic. It is more fun for a beginner and you can quickly write applets with it. It also is Microsoft and you can modify their apps with it.

[dafremen]

I've suggested this before when asked the same question.

A REALLY good way to get familiar with programming basics including some pretty advanced topics is a game by Brad Schick(?) called Robot Battle. You can find it this game at www.robotbattle.com (http://www.robotbattle.com)

I'm sure you'll find it entertaining, and instructional and after you tackle the basics of that game, you SHOULD be ready for a basic C book or class.

The game really makes learning about programming fun and contains many things in common with both C and Perl.

Enjoy.

8) Daffy