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New Programmer (aspiring)
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Hi everyone, I'm new here and this is my first post. Like the title says - I'm new to the whole coding and programming thing, I really LOVE the thought and the idea, I've started out with XHTML and CSS, it's going easy so far and I think I have a working mastery of the XHTML and I'm working on CSS. I really so badly want to start C and/or C++. Anyone aware of ways in which I can go about beginning, and which should I start out with bearing in mind I am doing this on my own, Any suggestions?
And thanks, I'm looking forward to really having fun while learning here!
And thanks, I'm looking forward to really having fun while learning here!
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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Junior Poster in Training
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Originally Posted by Lynqu2 
Hi everyone, I'm new here and this is my first post. Like the title says - I'm new to the whole coding and programming thing, I really LOVE the thought and the idea, I've started out with XHTML and CSS, it's going easy so far and I think I have a working mastery of the XHTML and I'm working on CSS. I really so badly want to start C and/or C++. Anyone aware of ways in which I can go about beginning, and which should I start out with bearing in mind I am doing this on my own, Any suggestions?
And thanks, I'm looking forward to really having fun while learning here!
In terms of compilers....
Java - Free from Sun Microsystems
C# - Free from Microsoft (Visual C# Express Edition)
VB - Also free from MS (Visual Basic Express Edition)
C++ - Also free from MS (Visual C++ Express Edition)
Also, there are many tutorials posted online (google them). But I, personally would start with a textbook if you can afford it.
Regards,
Tyler S. Breton
Western New England College '08
Computer Science
Programming Lang's:
C, C#, Java, Lisp, MASM, Visual Basic 6
Computer Science
Programming Lang's:
C, C#, Java, Lisp, MASM, Visual Basic 6
Starting with VB will only teach poor practice, don't do it.
Java is a better option, but will take you as long to master as does C++.
C# seems to be a slightly smaller language to learn.
What language you start with hardly matters as long as it's a good one, which C or C++ certainly is, and you have good teachers and documentation.
"Teach yourself C++ in 24 hours" and similar books don't count, those books aren't worth the paper they're printed on.
When you start, don't get caught up into learning an IDE thinking you're learning the language, which is what happens to a lot of beginners.
Get a good book or two, like "Accellerated C++" and "Objects, Abstraction, Data Structures, and Design using C++" and go through them one step at a time from beginning to end, repeating everything until you understand it.
This won't take 2 weeks, or even 2 months, but you'll soon grasp the basics.
You may also want to get you a copy of Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language" in the latest edition (3rd I think by now), which is THE standard reference for the language.
Java is a better option, but will take you as long to master as does C++.
C# seems to be a slightly smaller language to learn.
What language you start with hardly matters as long as it's a good one, which C or C++ certainly is, and you have good teachers and documentation.
"Teach yourself C++ in 24 hours" and similar books don't count, those books aren't worth the paper they're printed on.
When you start, don't get caught up into learning an IDE thinking you're learning the language, which is what happens to a lot of beginners.
Get a good book or two, like "Accellerated C++" and "Objects, Abstraction, Data Structures, and Design using C++" and go through them one step at a time from beginning to end, repeating everything until you understand it.
This won't take 2 weeks, or even 2 months, but you'll soon grasp the basics.
You may also want to get you a copy of Stroustrup's "The C++ Programming Language" in the latest edition (3rd I think by now), which is THE standard reference for the language.
As people are clearly allowed to attack me but I'm not allowed to defend myself, I no longer post to this site.
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Java is a very nice language to start with.
*Voted best profile in the world*
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Originally Posted by Lynqu2
Anyone aware of ways in which I can go about beginning, and which should I start out with bearing in mind I am doing this on my own, Any suggestions?
Don't PM me with questions -- you might get a nasty PM in response. If you have a question then post it in one of the forums.
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Originally Posted by Lynqu2
I really so badly want to start C and/or C++. Anyone aware of ways in which I can go about beginning, and which should I start out with bearing in mind I am doing this on my own, Any suggestions?
And thanks, I'm looking forward to really having fun while learning here!
I started off with C and so whichever modern language I look at makes me feel happy seeing the kind of abstraction they offer along with the host of inbuilt functions which make your life a lot easier. If you in this *only* for money, I would recommend you to go with C# or Java since there is a lot of market for these langauges.
As an ending note, a very interesting article on which language you should go for, a must read.
I don't accept change; I don't deserve to live.
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Originally Posted by ~s.o.s~
Programming in C will give you the feeling of a creator since they don't have a host of functions to do everyday tasks which you would have to code on your own.
Regards,
~Tyler S. Breton
Last edited by TylerSBreton; Dec 25th, 2006 at 1:41 pm.
Western New England College '08
Computer Science
Programming Lang's:
C, C#, Java, Lisp, MASM, Visual Basic 6
Computer Science
Programming Lang's:
C, C#, Java, Lisp, MASM, Visual Basic 6
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After you learn a JAVA or even C#, I'd backtrack (I say backtrack because of the language decendancy from C for both languages) to C so that you can get a full appreciation of the language.
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I WANT the language to provide methods/functions so that I can get the jist of whats going on before I decide to play jesus.
Many others support my view point.
I don't accept change; I don't deserve to live.
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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Junior Poster in Training
I don't disagree with you....C is a much more powerful and useful language, however I just feel like someone starting with C is going in a little over their head at first, as near everything (useful) you wish to accomplish has to be written manually. Plus I'd love to see someone pick up pointers as easily as objects. I'd find it much easier to understand an object and then go backwards to how pointers are used.
BTW...I started with VB and JAVA, higher level languages, and have no problems with understanding the semantics of a lower level language such as Assembly or C. But I certainly understand the higher level languages more because of the lower level ones, however, I understood enough at the initial learning of them to get the true passion for programming, which is what can drive a person to keep trying to understand C better.
Just a side note....I understand the argument that C should be taught first and am not by any means saying it's wrong. It's totally opinion at this point.
Regards,
Tyler S. Breton
BTW...I started with VB and JAVA, higher level languages, and have no problems with understanding the semantics of a lower level language such as Assembly or C. But I certainly understand the higher level languages more because of the lower level ones, however, I understood enough at the initial learning of them to get the true passion for programming, which is what can drive a person to keep trying to understand C better.
Just a side note....I understand the argument that C should be taught first and am not by any means saying it's wrong. It's totally opinion at this point.
Regards,
Tyler S. Breton
Western New England College '08
Computer Science
Programming Lang's:
C, C#, Java, Lisp, MASM, Visual Basic 6
Computer Science
Programming Lang's:
C, C#, Java, Lisp, MASM, Visual Basic 6
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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It really depends on what is your original intent of learning the language. If you are a 33 year old who wants to earn a living, I would very much recommend you to learn C# or the other hot technologies rather than dabbling with pointers in C. On the other hand, if you are a 15 year old who really wants to get his concept cleared and is very intent on going for research work, I would recommend him to learn a assertive language like C or Python and a functional lanauge like LISP, Haskell, etc.
IMHO, it solely depends on the purpose one is trying to achieve.
Yes, exactly the point I was trying to prove.
IMHO, it solely depends on the purpose one is trying to achieve.
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Originally Posted by TylerSBreton
Just a side note....I understand the argument that C should be taught first and am not by any means saying it's wrong. It's totally opinion at this point.
I don't accept change; I don't deserve to live.
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