dcw9996

Hello everyone,

I apologize in advance for what may be an age old question for you folks.

I am interested in learning to program/learn a language. But I don't know where or how to get started. I'm 53 and disabled. I was a quadriplegic for a few years, and rehabed back to a functional state. I was a diesel mechanic for 20 + years. While rehabbing I taught myself about computers, and have built several of them for friends and family. I am also self taught in Excel, and recently took the Microsoft Office Specialist test and received an Expert certification. I often work with Visual Basics for Applications to write my own macros for Excel.

I do work part time. My work involves keeping statistics for the physical therapy dept of a hospital and I have built a handful of databases (in excel) with macros for my bosses. A few years ago I bought a book & software to try and learn VB.Net. I devoured the book and loved doing the excercises.

But I had 2 problems. The first being---did I start with the right language? Is there a better language? There are somany options and variations my head is swimming.

The second, and bigger, problem is---what do I "do" with it? When I finished the VB.Net book I was so excited to get started, but so utterly frustrated in not knowing how to proceed or what to build/do/create with it that I walked away from it all.

So I guess what I'm asking is-- what would you tell a complete beginner to do to get his feet wet? I guess because of my work it would be beneficial to learn how to create/work with databases.

I don't really have the money to attend college courses. So any suggestions about which path to start down, and any recommended resources, would be most appreciated.

Again, I'm sorry for such a wide open question. I know the respnses can be many, and varied. But I appreciate you takig the time to read this.

Thanks,
Don