Learning programming
 

I am not new to programming, but I certainly am far from proffessional.

I am 20 years old and I really really want to learn as much programming as possible. I know that my age is not going to provide me with practical programming (since I'm all alone here with no one to show me), so everything I can learn I will learn from books and internet sources.

my background: Applescript language, applescript studio and C++ (not so high-level knowledge) (I use Mac for 10 years now).

I have finished the book "Learn C++ from the ground up" by herbert schildt, which although at first I thought it was good, I must admit I have never seen such a bad-written book like this (this is my personnal opinion). Although it covers many subject, it failed to make me learn how to implement all these things into my programs. Since then I find sources on the internet, and some old books my co-students have (not so good though).

1)So I am looking for a book that covers everything. I already know the basics, so I'm looking for something that can teach me some real programming, and introduce me to the world of intermediate-professional programming, by teaching me how to effectively manage memory problems, exceptions, templates, and many other things.

Some people advised me into getting "Bruce Eckel's Thinking in C++". I downloaded both volumes, but I am looking for more sources. These sources can be anything: Internet sites and references to libraries, sites with example programs, books for the intermediate programmer... anything would be great.

2)How did you become a proffessional programmer? who or what taught you? I know that practice makes perfect, but I am not so naive to believe that practice makes up for not having someone around to help you with these sorts of things... Not even my friends care for these things, so I feel I'm drowning here... :o

Thank you in advance for helping me rule the world! :p :cool:

It was excellent advice, about Bruce Eckel's books, "Thinking in C++", Volumes I and II. They're free online. They're very good. The Whitebook should be part of your repetoire.

I became a professional microprocessor programmer because there weren't any, but there were microprocessors.

Primarily self-taught. It was only once I attended University that I was actually taught, and then I suspect that I learn more from my peers than my lecturers. Some rather intelligent people were successful at convincing me that I shouldn't have been so quick to reinvent the wheel, which was one of my major flaws back when I was 18.

If you're having trouble with C++, you might want to look into a language like Python which may do a better job at giving you the understanding you need. Programming skill is pretty much language independant, so you might want to look into a language that lets you forget about handling the low level details. Learning about pointers and memory management isn't as important as understanding the zen of coding; how to break up a problem into smaller, and preferably reusable, pieces.

That said, it's perfectly possible to learn C++ with the aid of a good book. Just harder, in my opinion :)
I think one of the best ways to learn is to get a good book, or a good online guide, then practise making your own programs and then post them to the forum. Inevitably, someone will be able to show you how you can improve your code. Listen to them, and try another program. Rinse, wash, repeat and you'll steadily improve.

Welcome!

I started programming back in the late 80s as a hobby when I was a kid. The hobby became an addiction, so I continued it to present day. I took a few classes in high school (Basic, Fortran, Pascal)... then continued into college with the same addiction, where I was "formally" educated and earned a BS degree. I've been working in the field since I was 16, over time I learned most of what I know through trial-and-error and examples...

I wasn't a fan of Thinking in C++ - I found the fundamental concepts are glossed over to make room for the more advanced stuff. However, if you've programmed before, you should be fine with them.

A lot of us are self-taught, and we're nothing special. It takes hard work, discipline and a total disregard for sleep, but it can be done. :)

i am reading the book right now, and I think it's a well-written introduction to advanced programming.

So far, I am self-taught too (since in out university programming is a non-existent hoby of a non-existent group of individuals), but I fear I am at the point that I finished the very basics and I don't know which road I should follow to become a real proffessional in programming (I don't care about how much time it will take.).

I guess all of you were at that stage and I shouldn't complain though. :)

Anyway, every recommendation is welcome.

Programming is like your website, ugly but effective. By the way, I like your avatar. Do you have that picture large sized?

thanks, man :)thanks again.
yes. look at the gallery section at my site. It's at the "newest work" section among with other ones. Click on the image to view it in its full size.

BTW, the site was programmed by me. I'm getting involved with C++, and HTML and .css come second to me, as my time goes to C++. I made this website just to share pictures that I made, and to share programming documents with my friends in the university. I was sucessfull to that.

Thanks for taking the time to look at it.

BTW the "whitebook" dawei mentions in the "K&R" or "the c programming language" ...there are two editions, the second is ANSI C compliant. great reference... i have one by my computer.

I recommend the book Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and Sussman. The entire text is available online through the link above. It teaches abstraction, recursion, modularity, etc. at the same time it teaches the Scheme (a subset of Lisp) programming language. The excercises are difficult but definitely worth the effort. I strongly recommend this book.