Computer Hope

Software => Computer programming => Topic started by: Calum on November 30, 2006, 01:27:00 PM

Title: Learning to program?
Post by: Calum on November 30, 2006, 01:27:00 PM: Hi all
My first foray into the programming section
I've decided I'd like to learn to program, as one of the A levels I am looking at doing includes a bit of programming and I'd prefer to know at least the basics before starting (if I actually do that A level and even if I don't I just think it'd be cool to know how to program)
Can anyone point me to some good online tutorials or books to get me started?
Anyone have any tips they'd like to share?
I've heard C is a good language to learn, is this true? What would be the best language for me to start with?
Never done any programming before so any advice is appreciated
Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Dusty on November 30, 2006, 03:48:06 PM: Others will scoff but I recommend you start with a high-level language such as QBasic version 4.5. With no knowledge of programming C and/or C++ can be confusing to a newcomer. Also QBasic is an interpreted language which is created in an Integrated Development Environment, in other words you can write your program (some checking will be done as you enter each line) and immediately Run it to check the results. With some other languages you must write your program in a text editor then compile it then run it.

QBasic is widely used in colleges in the USA and UK as a starting level for students.

QBasic tutorials are freely available on the WWW as are many forums dedicated to that language.

QBasic is a DOS based language so some features such as direct line printing are not available when running in the Windows XP Command environment but there are workarounds for most.

Good luck
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: ghostdog74 on November 30, 2006, 08:13:11 PM: you can learn to program using Python. Its easy and fun, with lots more stuffs.
http://www.developer.com/open/article.php/625901
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Calum on December 01, 2006, 01:55:22 AM: Cool, thanks a lot for the advice guys
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: DaveLembke on December 01, 2006, 02:21:03 PM: Thanks Ghostdog74 ... Never knew that Python was FREE, so I never checked into it... Another language to learn... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Rob Pomeroy on December 01, 2006, 03:20:44 PM: Python, Perl, PHP, Ruby, Quanta, etc, etc. There are loads of free compilers out there. It is always a good idea to choose a programming language that best suits your intended use. I rarely stray outside of PHP and javascript, since most of my programming is web-related. If I were fascinated by A.I. however, I'd probably be sticking to something like Prolog.
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Neil on December 05, 2006, 09:56:39 PM: Visual Basic is good, to create "useful" applications fast. That and a C++ compiler for .NET Express edition can be downloaded for free from Microsoft, suprisingly.
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Calum on December 06, 2006, 11:30:15 AM: Awesome, thanks a lot all of you.
I'll try and make some time soon to learn some of this then.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Dilbert on December 13, 2006, 04:32:10 PM: I too would start with VB, just to get the basic concepts down, then move on to a more complex language.
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Jeronimo_Mc_Kinsley on December 16, 2006, 01:08:23 PM: If u wanna program ur own games start (http://If u wanna program ur own games this site is the best site to [url=http://www.gamedev.net/reference/start_here/) with :)

I started with C++ and I like it :)]this site[/url] is the best site to start with :)

I started with C++ and I like it :)
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Neil on December 16, 2006, 02:02:46 PM: Obviously not so good with the HTML :P
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Calum on December 17, 2006, 04:32:07 AM: Apparently not . . . ;)
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: HTFC_Stevo on January 19, 2007, 04:57:25 PM: I strongly recommend C# as a starter language. Microsoft has a free prgramming interface, Visual Studio Express C#, that you can download from their site.

Stevo
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Kiwisue on March 05, 2007, 09:37:39 PM: I too have just started to learn to program using python. A gr8 site is python.com You can download the python program from there too. Check it out!
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: fffreak on March 06, 2007, 06:02:25 AM: That's a BUMP.
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Calum on March 06, 2007, 08:47:48 AM: Bump and a half.
Great way to increase your post count, huh?
Title: Re: Learning to program?
Post by: Dilbert on March 30, 2007, 11:47:30 AM: Latest post split into new topic. This one is closed to prevent further bumps/discussion of bumps. :)