I need Advice for Starting Computer Programming

[iNsane]

I am really new in the field of Computer Programming. I am currently a Senior in high school and dont have enough knowledge about it. I have asked a couple of friends where I can start learning about it. I told them that I dont really have any plan what I'm going to use programming for and that I just want to LEARN programming in general. So what they suggest is learning Java.

I cant really think of any program for "Beginners".
If you guys have any suggestions/advice please feel free to share.

Thanks in advance

[bzforum]

Depending on what you have learnt in your school... if you have learned a little bit of C and C++ your next step would be Java ,

but if you have not learnt anything...the first step has to be C and C++ the mother of all programming languages...the only way you can get to the top

you need to make a check list for the Basics of Programming ...

1) Structure of a Programming
2) Variables and How to assign the values...
3) Programming Constructs
a) If Conditions
b) Loops
c) Case
4) Functions and Methods
5) Class and OOps

this will finish your Basics!! then head to advance and choose a advanced programming language like Java or C#

[alykins]

Originally Posted by bzforum

the mother of all programming languages...the only way you can get to the top

i beg to differ- i started in transistor logic building flip-flops which build other gates and thus the mother of all languages

[hey]

Doesn't really matter, just pick one. More importantly, find a decent book on a language. A decent beginner book will really help you out. C or C++ is a good language to start out with, in my opinion, because it teaches you a lot about programming in general. It might be a bit too difficult, though. You can try some higher level languages like Python, Ruby, or Perl. I personally prefer Perl, but it might be tricky for a beginner. I recommend C or Python. Make sure to get a decent beginner book and you'll be set to go.

As you learn more about programming and computers, you'll get a better idea about which field you want to work with, and you'll know what languages fit that field then.

To get you started, go here: http://www.python.org/getit/

Download the installer (assuming you're on Windows): http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.2/python-2.7.2.msi

Load up the newly installed program called "IDLE". Type in:

print "Hello, World!";

and press enter, and there is your first program.

[iNsane]

Thanks guys. I think I will be starting with C and C++ or python.

[ChrishHardwick]

Hello friends,

What is Java? Java is the most widely used object-oriented programming language. Java applications run on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris, and many other operating systems.

Start your programming career by learning Java SE (Java Standard Edition) and teach yourself to develop professional applications for desktop PCs, such as utilities and games.

To get started, download and install the Java Development Kit (JDK), and the latest NetBeans IDE today! The Java Development Kit (JDK) contains all the tools you need to compile code and run your newly written applications. The NetBeans IDE (integrated development environment) is an optional software utility that makes all these tools more easily accessible.

Best regards
Chrish

[CodingGuy]

I would also reccommend C/C++. However a high level lanuage I would also reccommend is Euphoria. It is pretty good for a beginner and is pretty powerful. Also, as some others have said, it is good to have a good reference book at hand too. The tutorials you find on the internet are decent, but in my experience, I've found that having an actual programming book around is much more helpful.

[pydsigner]

I would definitely recommend Python. It is easy but powerful, offers but doesn't require OOP, and requires you to solve your programs problems rather than a stringent compiler enforcing things. One of its major benefits and downsides is that it uses indentation instead of brackets for code blocks. This requires you to write clean code, but also may give you some learning hiccups in other languages using braces.

Originally Posted by hey

print "Hello, World!";

Python doesn't require semicolons either.

[Taro]

I recommend that you should learn TI-BASIC. It is a very easy language to understand (notice the word 'basic'), and can be used on both computers and external devices, like calculators. Here is one example on a TI-83+ calculator (a TI-84 version has better computer connectivity though):

PROGRAM:HELLO
:ClrHome
:Disp "HELLO WORLD!"

The programming backboard is a way to create user-defined functions and equations that make a program be executed faster then retyping it.

[BrianMartin&Co]

In my opinion, if you want to learn how to program, I'd recommend you learn Visual Basic command line that will give you the basic knowledge to go on. I have a tutorial on the brianmartin.biz I have to finish, however in my opinion, once you learn variables, if statements, ect ect ect you can go on to learn other languages with so much ease.

[financing]

I am really new in the field of Computer Programming. I am currently a Senior in high school and dont have enough knowledge about it. I have asked a couple of friends where I can start learning about it. I told them that I dont really have any plan what I’m going to use programming for and that I just want to LEARN programming in general. So what they suggest is learning Java.
I cant really think of any program for "Beginners".
If you guys have any suggestions/advice please feel free to share.

Thanks in advance