when did i start programming? ... about 8 weeks ago, seriously. wanted to learn, so got a book out on xml as it seemed simple. then wanted to do some real programming, so i got a book on C from the library, which is due back this monday. Had to renew it because i didn't have time to finish it ;D

now got one on java and one on Visual Basic. working my way through it all

this should be taught in schools. at leat within the IT syllabus. I wish BTEC ICT covered more of it :-\

XML, C, Java, VB....

Girl, you sure are messing up pretty bad. At first concentrate on a single thing otherwise would end up being a jack of some trades and master of none. Too many languages will only confuse you.

yeah i learnt them like this

HTML
VB -> VB.NET / C#
PHP + MySQL / ASP.NET + MSSQL
C -> C++ -> Assembly

been programming since age 10, about 12 years now (i think?)

i prefer java for applications and php for web apps

when i was young an stupid, i programmed in MS languages: started in qb, then vb1-6, and finally vb.net. learned to hate MS and kicked the MS habit years ago. have been using java or c since, as well as various scripting/markup languages.

programming is a lot like math or physics, i don't think you can interest a child in programming. programming never feels like work to me, it interests me on a mechanical level. math and physics are the same way, most kids are just bored by those things.

im the opposite. i hate maths and physics but love computers,biology and chemistry?

i used math/physics as an example, but the same holds true for all sciences, really. i think it takes a certain mindset to be interested in any science, for me it's because i like to know the mechanics of how things work

well, XML is real simple. at least it seemed to be, the thing is, when i read stuff of the internet it doesnt sink in. (i.e. ebooks). So i borrow books from the library, and i finished the C one and saw a Java from the same company so thought might as well. the first half is pretty much the same as the C book. and VB was because is had a £5 smiths voucher :mrgreen:

if your learning vb get "VB 2005 Step By Step By Microsoft Press" from amazon (its about £25

best vb book i have ever read

I started at age 10 with qbasic and batch files...quickly picked up html and javascript, then moved on to PHP and SQL...After that I picked up C++ and am now trying to figure out assembly...I definitely think it's a personal decision about going into programming etc...I have alwways loved the math stuff and the IT stuff...I had great encouragement from my parents while growing up, but in the end, it was I who was curious about how things worked...That was the biggest factor...the curiosity...

1. what age they started programming.
About 30, but then again that was 30 years ago when the first Radio Shack TRS-80 became available. It used "Level I BASIC" (by Bill Gates and Paul Allen - too bad we didn't stop them then).

2. how did they learn the language of their choice.
My first language "of choice" was Forth (still one of the most powerful I ever used). I used it because it was small enough to fit on the Trash-80 and far faster than BASIC. When I went to PCs I tried about everything (C, C++, Java, Smalltalk, "4GL" systems...). Most of my work has been in Pascal, Modula-II and Delphi because they are the easiest to debug and maintain in the long run and every bit as powerful as those from the C family.

3. which one is their favourite now.
Delphi. For Win32 it cannot be beat. For NET I'd probably go with C# (designed by the same guy who did Delphi). VB prior to NET was a good idea which never got finished. The NET version is a lot better but from what I hear not many people are using it.

4. can parents/schools help kids learn programming at an early age to get them started into computers.
Yeah, buy them a good computer and something beside games.