Want to learn Coding

[shiv]

Yep, maybe I did.  In the end it was the non existent drivers for that hardware.  So, what is better for a new guy.  Dealing with all this or just diving in to programming without having to worry about OS/hardware issues, making mistakes, etc?  This is not a thread about what people prefer or what OS is better.  It is about how to get into programming the fastest and easiest way.  At list that is how I see it.

I still don;t have an answer on how you can do a lot more on Linux/Unix than in windows.  We have specific uses for it and it is the best at it (real time software).  If we are not doing that, we use windows.  Also, if anyone does take a shot at the question, keep in mind that you are giving advice to someone who is not even a programmer yet.  So, what more could he possibly do on Linux?  

Installing Linux is way easier than it used to be. Ubuntu is especially good with recognizing hardware. About as easy as installing Windows, or re-installing Windows. Most users have experience with that

The recommendations were in regard to learning programming. Much easier on Linux in my experience than Windows. You can run shell scripts for Bash to learn the basics, then run a local web server to play with web programming using PHP or Perl.  For higher level stuff there's Python.

It could be just my limited experience on Windows though. How would you recommend someone start out learning programming using Windows?

[Skuzzy]

It is not about being able to do a lot on Linux versus Windows.  If you are starting out, Linux is easier, to a degree, because you learn to use the standard C library.  It is simple and quick.

If you are learning on Windows, you also have to learn to use the Windows API, which is not so simple and quick.  The Windows API tends to be a pseudo-standard as Microsoft will not hesitate to deprecate functions as they move forward.

The C library has not changed much since its inception.  Code I wrote in the 80's still compiles and runs on any UNIX variant.  Try that with Windows 3.0 code.  Heck, find a compiler that will compile Windows 3.0 code.

If you want a good solid base to learn programming on, then a UNIX variant is a tough one to beat.

[jimson]

PM sent.

[dedalos]

It is not about being able to do a lot on Linux versus Windows.  If you are starting out, Linux is easier, to a degree, because you learn to use the standard C library.  It is simple and quick.

If you are learning on Windows, you also have to learn to use the Windows API, which is not so simple and quick.  The Windows API tends to be a pseudo-standard as Microsoft will not hesitate to deprecate functions as they move forward.

The C library has not changed much since its inception.  Code I wrote in the 80's still compiles and runs on any UNIX variant.  Try that with Windows 3.0 code.  Heck, find a compiler that will compile Windows 3.0 code.

If you want a good solid base to learn programming on, then a UNIX variant is a tough one to beat.

I am confused Skuzzy.  What exactly in windows is preventing you from from using standard C and why on earth would you have to learn the windows API in order to learn programming?  The basics are data structures and design patterns.  What does the OS have to do with this?  What debugging tools would you suggest a guy that never coded before uses under Linux?  Why mix OS with programming and why go through the extra effort of installing Linux rendering his PC useless in the process?  Do you think he has the skills to create a dual boot machine?  Again, why spend all the time and effort on other tasks instead of focusing on programming.  It may be easy for someone with 20 years experience but for people that cant find the "any key" I think it is unrealistic to even attempt anything in Linux.

[hitech]

If anyone cares to compare programing resumes, I'd be glad to. I started in 1974 on a pdp8 with paper tape and a teletype.

Start with visual studio on windows. There is NOTHING you can not do that you could do with Linux that you can not do 100 % the same on windows. Most people do not seem to understand that windows can run console apps. I believe you can purchase a copy fairly cheep as a student.

The integrated debugger compiler will greatly speed up your learning time.

But as to learning programing, that is far more then a few weeks or months teaching yourself. You can learn the basics , but beyond that the arena of knowledge crosses over into engineering where knowing the subject matter of what you are programing becomes a never ending learning process.

But as dedalos stated, find some good books on data and file structures. Data structures are really the key to learning coding.
2nd pick a problem or piece of code to write. Having an end task (nothing very huge) gives you a problem to work on , and hence forces the learning.

A great piece of code not only solves the problem efficiently, it also is easy for anyone else to understand at a glance.

HiTech

[Ardy123]

Start with visual studio on windows. There is NOTHING you can not do that you could do with Linux that you can not do 100 % the same on windows. Most people do not seem to understand that windows can run console apps. I believe you can purchase a copy fairly cheep as a student.

you can get the express addition for free I believe..

[dedalos]

If anyone cares to compare programing resumes, I'd be glad to. I started in 1974 on a pdp8 with paper tape and a teletype.

Start with visual studio on windows. There is NOTHING you can not do that you could do with Linux that you can not do 100 % the same on windows. Most people do not seem to understand that windows can run console apps. I believe you can purchase a copy fairly cheep as a student.

The integrated debugger compiler will greatly speed up your learning time.

But as to learning programing, that is far more then a few weeks or months teaching yourself. You can learn the basics , but beyond that the arena of knowledge crosses over into engineering where knowing the subject matter of what you are programing becomes a never ending learning process.

But as dedalos stated, find some good books on data and file structures. Data structures are really the key to learning coding.
2nd pick a problem or piece of code to write. Having an end task (nothing very huge) gives you a problem to work on , and hence forces the learning.

A great piece of code not only solves the problem efficiently, it also is easy for anyone else to understand at a glance.

HiTech

 

[Ardy123]

Without getting into the classic apple vs. ms purse fight, I always wondered how much farther we'd be along if the 68000 had won the chip war over the 80x86.

Although it has gotten a bit convoluted in recent years,  ARM has a much nicer instruction set than x86 too.

[dedalos]

Although it has gotten a bit convoluted in recent years,  ARM has a much nicer instruction set than x86 too.

Don't forget the Alpha with OS2 also

[-sudz-]

Also, check out these guys - very helpful bunch:

http://www.ioccc.org

You'll be up to speed in no time.

- sudz

[Ardy123]

Also, check out these guys - very helpful bunch:

http://www.ioccc.org

You'll be up to speed in no time.

- sudz

 

love how some mix ascii art with already hard to read code.

http://www2.us.ioccc.org/2004/anonymous.c