Couple of general questions. - Overclock.net

Jacks Smirking Revenge · 06-03-05

Wow, It's amazing how many expeienced programmers are on this forum. Also that the idea for a programming forum has not been thrown up before.

But yeah, I'm looking to learn... something. And was thinking about one of these "Learn to program (language name) in 24 hours" books. (24 one hour lessons obviously

).. anyway, my question is are they worth it? Or should I look on the interweb for more/better resources.
And could someone give me a rundown of what each language is generally useful for/how easy or dificult it is to learn and such.
Where to begin? - Incase you can't tell i'm a total n00b to all this btw, In the past it's always been using other peoples code instead of forging my own.

ripken204 · 06-04-05

1st of all are u good at math? if u rly suck that programming is not for you. i would start at something like QBASIC becasue it is pretty much basic, then u can work ur way into JAVA which will be rly hard to learn by book

kris_cs1 · 06-04-05

Hmmm... I really don't think those "learn ... in 24 minutes/hours/days" books are that good. I've had a couple and I think that you would be better off looking on the internet IMO.
Now, if you're new to programming then it is probably best to start with a BASIC language then move onto something more complicated. I started programming with Liberty BASIC, which although it is not very well known, I think it is one of the best BASICS out there. You can be making GUIs in no time at all and it has a great helpfile, tutorials and newsletters. The software is also very cheap and you get a free trail. http://libertybasic.com/.

MrSmiley · 06-04-05

Math isn't all it's about, but a lot of feilds you will find yourself needing math. Such as wireless programming, I'm finding a great deal of Trigonometry and Basic Calculous. Programming is for the people who enjoy reading text manuals, over and over and over again to understand the information they are reading. When you start programming, you devote your life to it, or you fail at it.

*Xaimus* · 06-04-05

The webtarweb is all you need.

Jacks Smirking Revenge · 06-04-05

Kl, ty all. That's really helpful thank you.
Devoting my life eh? Hmm, *looks at groove in office chair* we'll see eh?

Thanks again

ldk · 06-04-05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacks Smirking Revenge

Kl, ty all. That's really helpful thank you.
Devoting my life eh? Hmm, *looks at groove in office chair* we'll see eh?

Thanks again

Java is good to start with. Its not that difficult and there are plenty of resources on the web. C is difficult for beginners to learn. I would avoid that until you got at least Java down. Basic is cool but you'll get bored with it quickly.

Jonrezz · 06-04-05

i tought myself html, java, visual basic and C++ all by book b/c my cruddy school doesnt offer anything computer related, but i started learning with the "Teach yourself xxxx in 24 hours" series and then when i mastered that book i moved on to an intermediate book, and then on to an advanced book, but its nice having a forum to ask questions on, when i learned i wish i knew about this great site.

kris_cs1 · 06-05-05

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldk

Basic is cool but you'll get bored with it quickly.

I've been using Liberty BASIC for years and i'm no where near bored

*VulcanDragon* · 06-07-05

I have used several of the "Teach Yourself xxx Books in 21 Days" books over the years. They are not comprehensive texts, and they don't necessarily teach in the best order to cement learning. But they are a good way to get a n00b writing actual programs that do something in a short amount of time. Consider these books "starter books": use them to learn the concepts, and then go get a "real" book that is comprehensive (like the Dietel and Dietel books, those things are like textbooks; awesome).

Which language to start with is dependent on what compilers are available to you. If you have access to or if you can get Visual Basic, then that would be a good place to start. It is English-like, won't let you hang yourself, and still powerful enough to make real applications. (Note that Visual Basic for Applications is included in Micorosft Office products like Word and Excel as the macro language, and is just fine for learning.)

True programming beginners should not be playing with Java or C++ in my opinion. Neither of them are excellent learning languages, you have to pay too much attention to language specific crap (e.g. including the right type libraries or header files to get access to a simple function work). It is important to learn basic programming concepts first (such as variables, program blocks, and conditional execution). Once you understand these concepts (which should not take more than that first 21 days), then you can take the training wheels off and learn a "real" language. (Not to slight VB, I think it's a great language; I use it all the time.)

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Couple of general questions.

06-04-05	#2 (permalink)
ripken204 Overclocker Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 190 Rep: 1 Unique Rep: 1 Trader Rating: 0	1st of all are u good at math? if u rly suck that programming is not for you. i would start at something like QBASIC becasue it is pretty much basic, then u can work ur way into JAVA which will be rly hard to learn by book

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