learning to program.

[Wraith]

I have desided to learn myself some programing and are aiming for C/c++, need some advice on a good and easy way to learn, taking lessons isnt an option.Type of programs to use to compile and so on.

Thx

[deep_sky]

easy and C++ do not belong in the same sentence in my book. C++ is very abstract and conceptual and can be very frustrating at times for it apparent obtuseness, but it is a very powerful language. You need to have a reason to learn C++, like a project you might have in mind, need to learn for work/school, or whatever. You have to have some motivation because C++ is not something you just pick up in a snap unless you are a very very good programmer. I have had 3 semesters of C++ in my major and I sweated and struggled through it and while I hated it for its abstractness I appeciated that it can do a lot of things. If you have had some experience in Java or another object-oriented language you already have a good start. If not, then you need to learn to think about things differently. I do not know if you have had any kind of programming experience but if you have that is good as well. Otherwise you probably should try to get lessons because you have to start from scratch.
I would buy a C++ primer and start from there. Those books for dummies are no way to go. You might also try a learn <insert appropriate suject here> in 21 days as well. It depends on how you learn. As for compilers, you need to get Microsoft C++, or Borland's C++. Both are not cheap.

edit~

A word of advice..if you are not an experienced programmer, try Visual Basic. It can be as powerful and is much more intutive and easy to learn. And probably more practical too. C++ is mainly used for programming hardware and writing code for games, which only the good programmers do for a living.

[This message has been edited by deep_sky (edited 12-02-1999).]

[Wiz]

also, try learning C first. it may be older and not nearly as powerful, but its easier to step into that first so you have some basic knowledge to use in C++. it took me nearly a year to learn enough to make a fully functional game that was somewhat difficult and still enjoyable.

[bigslammer]

yes C is a easier but I can honestly say that learning C before learning C++ is quite different. going from c to c++ is not the gradual step that some think. if you aren't interested in learning C then I'd just jump straight to C++(it may be easier to learn c++ this way). anyway good luck http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif.

[U-96]

C and C++ are wonderful languages, but a little like chess - fairly easy to learn the rules, but it can take years to master.
If your looking at a first language, I would also recommend VB or its variants. In my opinion, you may also be more successful with it, as it is far easier to apply it to things you may use every day (using VBA or VBscript for example).
I had six months' tuition in C and struggled to write a little program that controlled greenhouse temperature and humidity for my final assignment.
I bought a teach-yourself VBA book a couple of months ago, and just picked up a moderate cheque for a database I wrote using it.
My brother works professionally with VB and C++, and he prefers to use the latter only when necessary. He's mad enough to have used assembler stuff and Ada, so it's not laziness. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
There are also LOTS of jobs for VB programmers! On the other hand, if you have or intend to use a Unix or Linux environment, C++ may make more sense.
I do think that it would be very easy to get disillusioned without any tuition though, but that depends on your own personal motivation. From my own experience, I don't think I could have learned C from a book.
Getting your head round the concepts is the hardest thing, but it's a great challenge.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
U-96


[This message has been edited by U-96 (edited 12-03-1999).]

[deep_sky]

you're right about being crazy enough to use assembly language....i thought that C++ was a pain, but assembly language is so obscure and low level that it is is very hard to say at the least to look at a program and know what the heck is goin' on!


but yes if this is a first language for you, try VB first, then move on to C or C++. Yuo need to have to basic principles down before going to the heavy duty languages...

[Wraith]

Thanks all for the replyes.
I have minor knowledge of programing (did some basic programing years past), just want to get a feel for it and get some lessons, dont have time for lessons right now but will take some next year.

Thx
Wraith