ashcaw

Hi folks,

Im new to the forum so hi; ok, basically im knowledgeable g33k in most areas; web design, hosting, wired & wireless security, hardware, fairly new to Linux/UNIX etc. I know my stuff, I just know NOTHING about programming or the different languages. Like I have said I have dealt with a lot of web design; obviously touching html, java, php etc. but not coding the more advanced languages from scatch or anything like that.

So my question is, for a complete n00b to programming, what the hell Language do I start with or begin to learn? I would like to know what are good languages for beginers to start with and learn, and WHY.
Thank you for your time and help,

Ashley.

thechristelegacy

http://www.programmingforums.org/forum/ind...p?showtopic=420

Welcome and enjoy the community

BebopFusion

How much Java have you done. Depending on how much you have done it may be easier to start on that. However, if you don't know too much than I would start with Python. It teaches OOP well. It also does away with the confusing syntax of C++ beginners have a problem with.

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thechristelegacy

Python was my frist language and still is my main language. As of now, I'm teaching myself c# though.

ZenMasterJG

I second java as a first language. Its very object oriented, but not so much as to be distracting or a pain in the butt. It uses syntax very much like c++, so learning c++ next wouldnt be super-difficult. I started as a c++ programmer, and find java both simple and powerful enough for most of my programming needs. Its a fantastic language, the main problem with it is its poor speed, which should be getting better and better as new versions of the language are released.

Python is good too, though. I'm just starting to pick it up. For someone used to c++ and java, syntax is highly strange, and its a little too much like a scripting language for my tastes. But to each his own!

In summary, look around, find a language that looks interesting to you. You can really start programming in any language, its the way of thinking thats tough to learn, not the syntax of a particular language. All languages have their strengths and weaknesses. Java has a HUGE command set, and learning them all are a pain. C and C++ are very powerful, but it can be extremely hard to understand what someone else's code is doing. Python.... Python is more of a way of life then a programming language

Good luck! And don't be afraid to ask questions, it seems to me that most people on this forum can be a great help.

ashcaw

Ok, Hi Folks,

for some reason I didnt recieve notification of replies via email like I asked for, but np. Thanks for your responses.

Thanks;

thechristelegacy - looks like that link/post is exactly what I need I will give that a gd read in a mo, thanks gd resource!

BebopFusion - I dont believe I have done enough Java to make a start on that tbh, it was only like altering keywords on pre-made scripts -_- lol I have been recommend Python before for beginning on, I will check this out more.

ZenMasterJG - some gd comments and advice,

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Right well, I already have some more questions on my mind, like what different types/catorgaries of programming are there; I have heard "scripting languages" etc. and more questions, but you have given me more resources to read and get on with so I will check them all out when I have time,
Thanks for your help and time folks,
I will probably post back here when I have a new question (or start a new relevent thread and post the url link to it in here), thanks again,

Ashley.

bl00dninja

the general concepts of programming exist in all languages. also i don't believe that C++ is too difficult to be a first language. you can take or leave what you can handle at a time. hell, you can program C++ procedurally like C if you want. that's what most simple programs are anyways. java and c++ are both good, as is C# (albeit somewhat of a proprietary technology). python is a simpler OOP language, but the syntax is a little fucking weird if you ask me. some people swear by it, but using WHITE SPACE instead of braces so you're forced to write neat code? why don't we just write a language that kicks you in the nuts for every minor syntax error? bottom line...once you start to learn one language, you can usually switch to another and gain an equal level of proficiency in a VERY short time. i started with JAVA (actually i STARTED with HTML then Javascript, THEN JAVA) and converted my knowledge of that into C++ in a couple days. don't worry about being "locked into" whatever you start out doing. just learning some basic javascript or php will give you a big leg up on "real" languages. good luck. wish me luck too.

:ph34r:

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skitsai

i would like to know that how many data qualifiers are supported by Turbo C and what those data Qualifiers

ArchAngel

As for starting out with proging languages, it really depends on how far you gone with the ones you learned, I started out learning HTML, but that's cake, so when I really wanted to learn programming, I did LibertyBASIC, that helped me figure out variables and stuff.
how far have you gotten with PHP?

If you know your stuff with variables, strings, etc, go for C, if not, start with something in the BASIC family, preferably, LibertyBASIC.

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Dietrich

I would pick a language with a good IDE, a super helpfile and lots of sample code. That puts you into C, C++ or C# all somewhat related.