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Old 12-18-2004, 08:52 PM   PM User | #1
GrmRpr3000
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Question First Programming Language

Hi there.

I need to know a good language to start with, at first i tried C++ but that is way too hard for me at this point, so i tried C, but am starting to get a bit confused as well. So what i really need, is a language that is easy for a n00b to learn, and that would enable me to easily move onto something like C or whatever is suggested as a next step.

Thanks for any help

*edit*
Oh yeah, I am only interested in this as something to do as a hobby, not really wanting to spend any money, and need to be able to spend as much time as i like learning it, so IDE's or whatever with trials before i buy are bad.

Also, could you suggest some sites i can get free good tutorials off for the language suggested? Also any IDE's or whatever, just so i can get started.

Thanks again

Last edited by GrmRpr3000; 12-18-2004 at 08:57 PM..
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Old 12-18-2004, 10:48 PM   PM User | #2
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I've read that Scheme was designed with teaching in mind.
Several links for that and other languages can be found here: Computer Programming Resources
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Old 12-18-2004, 11:40 PM   PM User | #3
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basic is pretty easy to learn...I learnt it at school. well, that was PicAxe Basic. Bearing that in mind, I would go for Assembler. I'm planning to learn that in the near future.
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Old 12-19-2004, 03:10 AM   PM User | #4
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Java might be okay...it's very similar to C++, but is also much simpler. For example, there is a lot more built-in functionality (classes, functions, etc). And you don't have to do memory management like you have to do in C++.

Java is a free language, and is widely used. There are also a number of free IDEs you can use to write, compile, run, and debug Java code. I like NetBeans, but there are others, although I can't remember names at the moment.

To learn a little more about Java, go to Sun's website, where you can download the SDK and find links to various resources on the language.
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Old 12-19-2004, 04:53 AM   PM User | #5
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I wouldn't recommend java. I struggled with it for the first month in class even after having javascript for a semester. Python is fairly easy, well documented, and free. It's even better if you use linux.
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Old 12-19-2004, 05:57 AM   PM User | #6
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try QBASIC or pascal. qbasic is simple and the website has compilers and tutorials etc to help you get started. pascal is a pretty basic language aswell and you can download compilers for it around the place.. it's a basis for c/c++ and delphi so it's always good to learn.
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Old 12-19-2004, 12:27 PM   PM User | #7
GrmRpr3000
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Thank you all for replying, I have decided I like the look of Python and so will have a go at that.

Last edited by GrmRpr3000; 12-19-2004 at 01:34 PM..
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Old 12-20-2004, 04:34 AM   PM User | #8
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As someone taking an intro computer science course, I would recommend checking out the "Little Man" computer. It really helped me to understand what the machine is doing at a very basic level. You can write programs in "Little Man" code that is basically an assembler language. I think it's worth looking at. I started out with Java and was very frustrated, but then did some work with the Little Man and then moved to c. C has been much easier for me than Java was, though it is still challenging for me. I think now if I tried to use Java I would have a much easier time.

www-perso.iro.umontreal.ca/ ~aboulham/F1214/lmc4pages.pdf
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Old 12-20-2004, 09:11 PM   PM User | #9
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Start with basic, then expand to Java. Basic really teaches the basics (no kidding) of programming and Java introduces object oriented programming in it's most pure form.

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Old 01-04-2005, 07:41 PM   PM User | #10
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Hmm, i'd have to say start with BASIC get used to the whole programming thing, then move onto C, then go for Java.

Java is a good introduction to OO in my honest opinion. C++ you really have to know what you're doing with it.

*edit*

BlueJ is good for learning about OO really breaks it down for you.
Get BlueJ here

netbeans is good for developing, you can get it with the SDK with it too from Sun.
Sun's website
Netbeans

Last edited by mr_Al; 01-04-2005 at 07:48 PM..
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Old 01-05-2005, 01:00 AM   PM User | #11
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Full OO language? Start with Java.
Learn OO/programming techniques? PHP.
Want results quickly? Visual Basic.

(you can acquire a free copy of Visual Studio Student Edition from MS @ the movies...er...wait...appears they're done giving away free copies.... sorry).

I've got a pretty good OO tutorial (written in PHP) if you want to read it.

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