I want to start programming on a Macbook.

So, I am still in high school and want to pursue a career in computer programming. Before I do, I wanted to check out what it is like. I have been reading stuff, and a lot of people start way before they graduate high school Soo, I wanted to know if any one knew any good websites/applications I could get to teach me the fundamentals of programming on my mac. I have OS X 10.4.11 Tiger. Thanks ahead for any help.

Macs use the X-Code Program for developing however if you are starting out I would recommend Microsoft Visual Basic which is PC only - If you have an Intel Mac you could set up a dual boot with OSX and Windows so you can use VB.

What is your long-term objective?
Do you wish to be an actual programmer?
Oar are you more inclined to manage people and business decisions?
Either way, you do well to find a well-structured study guide.
Are you a good reader? How are your communication skills?
And have you made use of the advice you have in your neighborhood?

First rule of serious study is to not have faith  in what you read on the Internet.
Except, of curse, my advice. I would never mislead your. Trust me.

Macs use the X-Code Program for developing however if you are starting out I would recommend Microsoft Visual Basic which is PC only - If you have an Intel Mac you could set up a dual boot with OSX and Windows so you can use VB.

Um... no. Visual Basic 6 is not cheap, and it's impossible to find. And .NET is even more expensive. And Either way, even with the express version, it doesn't get them any closer to their goal of programming OS-X.


you can use Script languages on Mac OS-X; Python, for example. Also, Mac OS-X programs are generally written using C++; XCode just happens to be a tool used to write C/C++ for the mac OS-X. Just as you don't have to use Microsoft Visual C++ to write Windows Programs, there are free alternatives. Since OS-X is based on UNIX, many free alternatives, such as GCC exist.

Personally, I'd start learning programming concepts with a Operating-System neutral language, and then learn about the UI side of things a little later. From what I understand, the OS-X API is called "Cocoa" and while generally accessed from C, I'm sure there are ways to leverage it from python or another script language. Visual Basic is only for programming Windows-based applications; and it will be of little use knowing Visual Basic. Python (well ,really, a number of scripting languages, such as perl and so forth, too) are available on almost any platform, so knowing one of then good is enough to do something useful on nearly any operating system. And yes I do sound like ghostdog in this post, but hey, he makes some good points.

First rule of serious study is to not have faith  in what you read on the Internet.

I believe a more appropriate rephrasing would be to not have faith for what you find on the internet at large; most scripting languages, and even compiled languages, have some sort of official, trustable reference material; python.org; w3schools for most web languages; It's the random little web pages started on geocities and angelfire that purport to help you that you want to stay away from.

Additionally, Monsieur geek, you perhaps misread the original post:

What is your long-term objective?
Do you wish to be an actual programmer?

If you would kindly re-read their first sentence, it pretty much answers your question!

So, I am still in high school and want to pursue a career in computer programming.

Quote
So, I am still in high school and want to pursue a career in computer programming.
Tongue

Let's agree on one ting. Something that will give him...
a broad based tool that will lead him to his goal.

           Python       

Python Programming Language -- Official Website
http://www.python.org/

(I am so glad you did not recommend VB 6.)