Beginner Programming

[MJCfromCT]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new to computer programming, but am anxious to learn the ins and outs of making computer programs. Are there any languages that you would suggest for a beginner like myself that would be good to start with? The college that I am at offers Microsoft Visual Studio .NET edition, and I have already installed that as a possible option. Thanks in advance :)

[neverwhere]

Basic, Visual Basic, HTML, XML

For little bit harder try: C, C++, Java, Perl

[neverwhere]

oh, FrontPage is an _easy_ way to learn HTML.. so if you have that... create yourself a page, then click the view code option and take a look :)

[MJCfromCT]

thanks for the advice neverwhere, but aside from website development, which of the programming languages do you all suggest/recommend? Thanks again

[fishybawb]

If you want an easy introduction to the concepts of coding (and very fast results), Visual Basic is a good way to go. Other than that, C++ is the one to learn simply because of its power and widespread acceptance as the language of choice. Use Google to root out some online tutorials :)

[bassman]

Originally posted by MJCfromCT
am anxious to learn the ins and outs of making computer programs.
Start with C (simple and advanced, can give you some good background on Unix/Linux systems), then Java (spreading like a good disease ;) ), then Visual Basic (this latter because it can give you a good inside on Windows programs)

[qball]

nice bassman.

my path was:

trs-80/texas instrument calculators, but I didn't know.
fortran for numerical analysis in college, but I didn't know.
DOS, Lotus123/Symphony on IBM clone PC-AT. Then I knew!
then C.
then fortran on VAX/DCL.
then Powerbuilder, and OO. gui, logic, DB, the in's and out's, lol.
then java.

programming is like riding a bike. if never done, anxious!

[MJCfromCT]

qball,

I've also attempted a bit of programming on texas instrument calculators...my TI-89 and 83 both have proven interesting. Since I already have visual studio .net, and just recently got a java compiler, would you recommend c++ or java? Those are the two i think i have narrowed it down to. Also, I've heard that these languages are similar, can you shed some information/post some links about this? Thanks

[bassman]

Java is an object oriented language, as C++ is. You can find a load of documentation on Java programming at Sun's website (http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/new2java/index.html).

[qball]

[quote]
Since I already have visual studio .net, and just recently got a java compiler, would you recommend c++ or java?
[quote]

billgates.net supports both c# and java.

just like riding a bike, you learn, can ride ALL bikes!

can you ride a bike? what version, was it C++, or java bike?

the programming language does not define the programmer, the programmer uses all tools available...

[neverwhere]

I use C++ and C# (C# is _very_ advanced form of C++) along with C,VB, and little Perl.... try some of those

[nothing]

I see a lot of people saying that C++ is too hard for a beginner. I don't think that is true and that's the language I recommend. Just get yourself a good book such as C++ How to Program (Fourth Edition) by Deitel and you will be amazed.

:t

[neverwhere]

I never said that C++ was too hard, I started with C++ :) Im saying that C# might be a little hard for a newbie programmer

[qball]

aye carumba!

1) NO programming language is greatly advanced beyond any other. Why, if it was NOBODY would use!

if you want to learn programming, just start and learn!

Like riding a bicycle!

If you want to read in a book, fine, find info online, know somebody?, whatever???

until ONE actually does it, what difference does it make?

[MJCfromCT]

update -

I found a program called TextPad which i am using to write/compile in Java and am currently looking for documentation (websites , pdf's) on the ins and outs of Java itself...if i keep at it, maybe one day i'll be able to post advice to peoples' questions in this forum :)

[neverwhere]

GOOD! I use TextPad for my java/html/xml/c++ needs. Very well written!! try www.java.sun.com for _all_ your java needs (after all, they did develop the language....)

[qball]

I found a program called TextPad which i am using to write/compile in Java and am currently looking for documentation (websites , pdf's) on the ins and outs of Java itself...if i keep at it, maybe one day i'll be able to post advice to peoples' questions in this forum


you want a good text editor, OR learn how to program?

textpad is an excellent text editor, even paid 15$ for license, many moons ago, use it to this day.

why?

"is _very_ advanced" version of notepad!

now, if you want to learn how to do something, let's take programming, there are 2 ways:

do it and learn.

or not do it and not learn.

program:

lottery page, USER enters 3 digit number, return how many random loops it takes to match inputted number.

tic-tac-toe, the game.

BAM, step it up a notch, program:

garage door, oops that's to follow.

checkbook. diary. chess.

what???

[MJCfromCT]

qball,

I like the progression of the programs you mentioned....some of the early ones like the lottery and the tic-tac-toe seem like good examples of learning the basics of programming...the chess program at this point seems extremely difficult, but once i learn more about the language, i will give it a shot