How do you make a computer program?

[Digger3000]

Yeah I know. Real specific question right? Anyway, I've always wanted to make computer programs, but one thing has always stopped me. I don't know how. And what I mean is that I can program in something like javascript because all you'd have to do is type some javascript in notepad and save it as an HTML file. I'm pretty sure I could learn something like C++ (I'm a fast learner), but you can't just type it in notepad and save it as a .exe file. I know, I've tried. So how do you do it? I think it involves something about compilers or something like that, but the first time I tried to figure it out, I was stupid. Now that I'm a little less stupid, can you give me some tips?

[enumerator]

Not that I know much, except that it depends on the language and tools... for example, JScript.Net: type some code in notepad, save as .js, run it through jsc.exe... and you get an exe (or dll). I think its about the same for C++ (article (http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/vctoolkit2003/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dv_vstechart/html/vctoolkitcmd.asp)). Beyond that, its more about how easily (or visually) this can be done--which is where IDE's are handy (or so I've read)... and the rest is about the syntax, debugging, using system resources, API's, etc.

[nikkiH]

You need a compiler and an editor for compiled languages like C and C++. An IDE (integrated development environment) is very helpful, though.
For interpreted languages, it depends. You usually need the interpreter and an editor. IDEs, again, are often good.
For Java, get the Java SDK from Sun and something like Eclipse or JCreator.
For C, get a C compiler. I like this one. It has an IDE and compiler.
http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html
For Perl, I just use a text editor and this.
http://www.activestate.com/Products/ActivePerl/

[JamieR]

I'm still trying to learn C++ - however whats the difference between C++ and MS Visual C++? I've asked that question before but didn't get much of a response :p

I have DevC++ and find it pretty easy to write code etc in there - however I took a small piece of code from a c++ tutorial site a while back and tried to compile it in C++ and it wouldn't compile it :mad:

[aman]

C++ is a programming language, and MS Visual C++ is an Microsoft's IDE for C/C++.

You don't need an IDE to create C++ programs. All you need is notepad and a compiler, but an IDE makes it easier because it comes with an editor that supports syntax highlighting, point-and-click compiling, and alot of other features that make it easier to build programs.

[nikkiH]

Also, keep in mind that a compiler is platform specific. C for Unix is not quite the same as C for Windows. Different APIs exist, different things can be done with the UI, etc.
ANSI C will work anywhere, since it's core. But anything really useful has to interact with the OS (GUI). So, choose your IDE and compiler for the platform you're developing for.
Also, sometimes you have to configure paths and whatnot. "Won' compile" could be due to a variety of problems with just your environment, not the code. Then, if you're using the Windows API, it won't compile for Unix. Then there's versioning. Old stuff gets deprecated. New stuff comes out. Old stuff may stop compiling with a new compiler, and new stuff won't compile with an old compiler. And so on. ;)

[cayucodies]

;) you can make computer programs in a variety of languages. What you should figure out is: what do I want your program to do? Then you can ask which language is better to use for that specific program. Depending on what language you use, you may not even need a compiler. Remember even a dinamic web page that would do a specific job for the user is considered a computer program. You can use embeded apps in all types of API's so, yeha, think of what you want to do first

[JamieR]

IMO OOP (object orientated programming) programming languages are easier to code + learn because of the syntax etc :p

I heard Python is good but I wanna try and learn Ruby :D