MrSmiley

C++ is OO, and it is a first for me.

On the Python note, here at Kansas State University decided that would be a good language for starting people out on (CIS200) later they use java. So far most people like it, and for books I would suggest our text. I'll have to post later the name of it because I never really needed it. I see python as more of a scripting version of C++.

Another one to learn if you are looking for scripting is PHP, switch if you want imperative then I suggest sticking with C++ and finding someone who can help you.

Next note, my job and my school use java. I HATE JAVA. K, good .

nnxion

Yeah I know C++ is, that's why I said C was not. Not sure if Python is.

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MrSmiley

Python is OO.

aznluvsmc

Fair enough. The only reason I learned C first is because that's the first programming language taught at my college. They decided that by introducing students to structured programming they can teach good programming practices. Now I realize you can teach structured programming in C++ also but I presume the reason behind not going straight into C++ is that they didn't want to really talk about object oriented programming. In this case C was the better choice since it has no concept of objects to confuse the student and since it's pretty "close" to the computer hardware without being assembly, it helps you understand a little bit of the memory management concepts.

Mind you, I'm only 23 so my experience in computing is not as extensive as some of yours. In fact, I've only been programming for 6 months since I entered the Computer Programming program. Prior to that, I spent 3 years studying and focusing on computer networking. This is just really my opinion based on my own experiences. Would I have had an easier time if I had learned another programming language first? Possibly, but then again, I didn't find C completely mind boggling.

I assume the OP is trying to do a little self-studying so maybe C/C++ might be harder to pick up without an instructor to guide you. I had a great instructor who explained the concepts very clearly which allowed me to pick it up without much difficulty.

Anyways, like I said, everyone has their own opinion and that's fine. Opinions come from personal experiences.

DaWei

Actually, there is a condition where your point is perfectly valid: if you have a formal course of study where you are being forced to learn part 1 of C++ before part 2 of C/C++, then you may be subject to increased difficulty. Left to your own devices, you may obviously elect part 2, which is common to both languages.

@nnxion: As mentioned in another thread on the forum, my first professional program was Fortran, written on a form, transferred to punched cards by a keypunch operator, and submitted for batch processing.

Attached Images

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Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

bl00dninja

yeah, and if C++ did it like that, every time you forgot a semicolon, bjarne stroustrup would come over to your house and rape you with a pineapple.
try this on for size...
http://chortle.ccsu.edu/CS151/cs151java.html

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Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?...Morons.

MrSmiley

Oh god, that made me laugh.

DaWei

I have to say that I don't think much of the idea of forced amounts of whitespace. It's a poor tool to use as a syntactical element. I'm big on clarity. It's the sign of a smart coder. Having the language dictate your whitespace is somewhat like your mother making you eat your broccoli. Grow up and do things properly, yourself.

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Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

mt_mikal

I'm actually one of those guys who went ahead and learned Java first, and now I'm trying to expand my knowledge. I'm taking a course in VB.net at my college, and just generally looking around at other languages (Python included).
I've also read up a little on C and C++, but I'm not sure if that would be the greatest language to really buckle down and learn right now. The biggest advantage I see in it is creating independent applications, that don't rely on a runtime environment. However, it seems to be extremely difficult to find any good tutorials on graphics, sounds, etc.
I'm getting kind of disillusioned in my search right now - I don't see the advantage of learning C++ if I'm limited to command line applications. It seems I might as well just use Python or Java.
I usually program on a Mac, so VC++ is pretty much out of the question. However, I'm perfectly willing to learn to develop using GTK or some other Unix based system, it will at least get me started and teach me how to use the librarys. Anyone have any tips on where I could go to learn how to do that kind of thing?
Thanks in advance.

n00b

Gunman: I think you should just continue learning C++. it's also my first programming language, but i've managed to overcome most of the beginner problems in a short time. first, i'd really recommend ebooks such as "C++ by example", especially "thinking in C++". go step by step, learn how to use some basic stuff such as I/O, arrays, loops, functions and stuff like that. don't break ur mind with going into details at first.
start making very simple programs and think about how it works.

Hey, i still dont understand lots of things for my math exam next month, u think i should quite college?