Any suggestions for a young teen to start looking into computer programing?

[jkac123]

I have a son that would love to start working on the computer programing, and general interest in computers. It is obvious that the future is now for computer technology and I just want to help him get a jump start, You know like Tiger had!

[Bovon]

Here is a forum that has a section dedicated to programming. Not too many threads there, but you might get lucky.
http://www.forumoc.com/

And, from one post there, is the following link...looks like a good starting point.
http://www.dcs.napier.ac.uk/hci/VB50/home.html

[Joel Kleppinger]

I would Print This Article: http://www.webmasterbase.com/article.php/228

Build a cheap little Linux box ($150 would probably get you enough of a machine to learn on) and start learning PHP and SQL. If you can learn some decent programming design and syntax, you'll have a start. It will take time and effort, but it's well worth it.

[randy48]

I would recommend starting with C++, inexpensive to get started, most high schools tech it, a lot of employment oppurtunities! Here's a web site, I've referenced when I played with code: http://www.tpu.org

It's called Teen Programmers Unite! I've found it usfull (and I'm 43 years old!)

[GroundZero3]

Awsome site Joel! thanks useful for me!!


Jason

[qball]

I second Joel.

Get him $200 computer and start programming. Basic, C, Java, COBOL, PHP, even HTML, anything. Get some of the Idiot/Dummy/21 days books and start doing it. Almost all provide a CD with everything you'll need other that PC.

Provide the resources, if he really wants to do it, he will.

BTW, Tiger started golfing at like 2, much too young to write code. His Dad, though not great is/was a decent golfer. How well do you program?

[jkac123]

qball,

I do not program. I may start sometime! After I see what he may or may not get into? It is just food for thought.

I was just using tiger as an example, with the "jump start"

[jkac123]

Hey everybody,

Thank you all so much for your Ideas!