Grubbish

Alright,

In the past i've tried to get into programming before and sort of failed. Is there a good way to get started? I don't know where to start or what program to begin with. I'm really intrested in it, just having troubles making that first step. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

DaWei

I guess you could decide on a language, get a compiler, and write a "Hello, World" program. Everyone else does. I would suggest, first of all, that you do some reading. It isn't something one picks up by osmosis.

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Darkhack

The first thing to do would be to pick a certain programming language. I would recommend you do your own research before deciding which one to choose, because if you ask other people, it will only start a flame war, as people have their own opinions. I can make some offers though that would be a good start for you to look further into. Java and C# are both very similar and would be good for general purpose applications. I hear a lot about Python, although I know nothing about it, so hopefully someone else can shine some light on it. PHP is a good choice if you are interested in web development. PHP or other similar langauges (ASP, and a bunch of others that I know nothing about) allow you to create dynamic webpages. These forums are programming in PHP infact. PHP makes it possible for me to hit the submit button and have my text show up instantly on a website which would be impossible with normal HTML.

C or C++ are similar languages which are probebly the most popular and well known languages to date. C which has been around longer is a little more complex and lacks OOP (object oriented programming) which is a method or ideology of how programming should be done which is present in C++. OOP uses "classes" in order to organize code. Meaning a language must support OOP in order for someone to use it. C++ does support classes and at one time in its early development was even called "C with classes". C++ allows you to use anything from C but NOT vice-versa. These languages are a little more complicated but nothing that you couldn't learn even as a first language. The real question comes in as to whether you learn C or C++ first. A lot of people say you should learn C before C++ others say that it isn't nessisary and that it may be better to learn C++ first. My personal stance, is that if you are a beginner and are looking for a first language, then C++ would be most preferable as you can learn OOP which will be a very big advantage if you decide to learn another language later on.

To summorize... Java or C# are my two top choices for a beginner, and also looking into Python would be good but I can't recommend it off hand because of my lack of expierence. PHP for web development. C++ if you want to go for a very popular and powerful language and are willing to put a little bit more effort in. Finding C++ documentation is a little more difficult as there isn't really a standard place to find it like there is with Java and C#.

I'm sure there are other languages which would be good as well. The others can fill you in on those if you aren't interested in what I have mentioned. Doing your own research through Google (or whatever) would be better than taking opinions from people who might put too much of their own bias into their post. I do admit, I have a slight bias to C# and PHP as those are my best known languages and to Java as well since I have many friends that program in Java, but with good reason.

ReggaetonKing

How about Visual BASIC? That was my first programming language I learn and still use it today to make corny-add programs when I am bored. Also as Darkhack said Java is great! but always Visual BASIC took about a 2 week to really get on bored with the IDE and the syntax! Its really great for beginners! I recommend that. C# is very similar to Java but I prefer Java tho! Though, I plan to learn it due to its power and popularity! Also Darkhack made a good point in doing your own research to decide the programming language of your choice! Choose wisely! lol
boy dont we know that for sure!
http://www.programmingforums.org/for...ead.php?t=8547

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Nebula

I actually started with Python and I still use it more than any other language I know. Aside from C++, Python is probably the next best thing for beginners.

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Mjordan2nd

You may find some useful informatino here:

http://programmingforums.org/forum/showthread.php?t=409
http://programmingforums.org/forum/showthread.php?t=435

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nnxion

Say what? C more complex than C++ or than what?

I agree with this, except that in my opinion C++ does not give more of an advantage than other languages, if Darkhack meant that. I think that every language has its merits.

I also heard some great stories of Python, I have yet to try it, but am lacking time. Java is great if you want to get the OOP right (in my opinion a lot better than C++).

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zander

i agree with reggaeton VB is really good for just getting to grips with if's and all that crap. C++ i wouldn't recommend for begginers as i'm studying it the now and struggling.

java would be quite good as well as the layout is easy to get the hang of

hoffmandirt

Look for a good book that focuses more on the concepts of programming rather than the language used in the book. Once you got basic concepts down, you can jump into almost any language you can think of and be off to a good start. There are a lot of good C++ books out there that will do this. Search Amazon for books that have good ratings.

ReggaetonKing

yeah, I wouldn't recomment C++ for a first language neither, I tried to start out with C++ and failed, it looked too confusing for someone who didn't know what programming was at the time. As I said, Visual BASIC gave me a jump start on Java and Java turned out easy for me. I haven't tried C++ again but plan to. Download the the Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition. http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/
And if you need any advice or wisedom, post a thread, and I am sure everyone is more than happy to help you with it! Enjoy!

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