Wanna learn programming

[TheManx]

Here's a good link that I still use.

http://www.developer.com/

Also, it's probably best to start with a language where you can see quick results. That way you don't get frustrated. Two good examples would be Perl and PHP. Both are great fun to code in, and aren't too difficult to get the hang of. From there, Jump to C, then C++, then Java.

Knowing perl and php first will give you a definite headstart on C.

[AKS\/\/ulfe]

Java is something you use sparingly and in conjunction with another, or several other, languages.

For example: A well done webpage will use mostly html or one of it's derivitives while using very little Java since Java would be agonizingly slow to use all by itself.

Start with C, get really familiar with C to the point you will only need to look up a few variables or names to remind yourself- and get a good grasp on computer networking in order to do anything internet related.

I really wouldn't recommend using Java at all really, C can do it with a lot less overhead so long as you know what you are doing.

You can learn C on your own, most classes follow the same guidelines for teaching C that many C compliers come with. I bought MS Visual C++ 6.0, and it came with a Learning to Program in C instructional book. It's going to require a lot of dedication to learn it on your own, so it's really one of those things you have stick with it to really learn it.
-SW

[udet]

there's a free compiler called LCC, with an excellent interface, very easy to use. download it if you plan to code in C++

[Tuomio]

Originally posted by AKS\/\/ulfe
I really wouldn't recommend using Java at all really, C can do it with a lot less overhead so long as you know what you are doing.
 

Which is the problem itself. For writing something useful in C takes a lot study (not once, not twice but for months to come). If you REALLY want to be haxor, learn the assembly code, but its not fun at all, thats guaranteed. Unless you like to see how stupid the computer really is, its like teaching your dog to draw picture of you.

With C you'll end up playing with sources that other people made, usually not (wanting to) understanding how it does what it does. In Java you have these implemented from the start with interface and what it doesent include you dont need. Unless youre going for something big, which i dont recommend as a starter. You learn the programming structures and computers limitations with any programming language (well, maybe not the MS-DOS memory limits, but hey..). After you learn one its much much easier to go for another. If needed. Only reason i ever gave up QBasic for Java, was the lack of variable handling and timer functions. If its too big for the language its prolly too big for you too, unless you live from it.

Only showstopper you'll face in programming really is the lack of motivation, lack of coordination and messy code. If you can avoid these for years, you become very good programmer, no matter what language you use. After all, they utilize the same thing, Assembly.

[DmdMac]

Originally posted by straffo
Found this (I've no idea of the quality ...)

http://jedit.sourceforge.net/
http://www.jcreator.com/

I tested JBuilder some 1 year ago it looked sexy but Java was not selected for any of our project so I didn't use it professionaly.

Concerning book I've allways been satisfied by Addison-Wesley books.

The best editor for Linux has always been, and forever will be, Emacs. OS without end.  Amen.

JED works pretty decently also and since the script language is slang(similar in sytax to C) it is good for C programmers.

[MrCoffee]

Most real programmers know more than one language. I learned Basic in seventh grade then took advanced Basic  (lol) during the second semester. Then Pascal, Ansi C and C++ and the list goes on. If you learn Ansi C and you get it as your first language, you'll eventually learn more langauges since programing is one of those things that you either get or you dont. First language is the hardest. Once you have one language down, you'll want to learn another to augment. You'll never be a great C programmer if you dont know assembly. I'm not a great C programmer, havent written C in 8 years so Im rusty to say the least but I code in a bunch of other upper level languages because its more practical for what I do. I do read alot of C still at work when stuff breaks so knowing C is important in that regard.  I would recommend you only learn Qbasic if you want to get into VB. Havent dont any VB in over five years myself but its a cool language for a windows person.

[ccvi]

If you need a good editor, try nedit.

http://www.nedit.org/


One of the few editors that can do column-wise cut'n'paste

[Pei]

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Pei, operating systems are written in C, not C++.  This is just one example of highly complex code that is best written in C.

As far as structure, it is simpler to write structured code in C, but it is a discipline.  You can certainly write ugly code in any language.
C++ can also teach you bad memory management.  C forces you to understand memory management.  For a beginner, it is imperative they understand memory management.  C++ lets you get lazy in this area.
Where most beginners stumble concerns pointers.  Using C, it is easier to see how pointers are used.  C++ allows you to be lazy here as well.

I agree that you have to learn C thoroughly befor eyou move to C++, and I recognize that C is better for low level stuff, including OS and some of the network stuff, but lets face it most of us don't do that on any kind of a regular basis. And I also agree that you can write well structured C. Proffessionally I write large transactional business systems and I would hate to have a team write them in C. Properly written C++ with a well structured OO design is just so much better: these systems tend to be both very complex and need modifications on a regular basis (to meet the customer's changing needs).  Of course it's all based on personal preference, but very few business applications, packaged products or even games are written purely in C these days.

C also wins hand down on efficiency, in terms of code execution speed as you have very specific control over parameters being used/passed in functions.

Anything that is going to be highly CPU-bound is probably better off in C (one reason why OS kernels are usually written in C). When I was writing a lot of mathematical code I always used C as those kinds of programs are almost purely computational. But most programmers deal with programs that are I/O bound and so you won't see much performance difference between the two (unless you get heavily into C++ Virtual functions, Templates and other RTTI stuff). Memory is a different matter, but memory is much cheaper than programmer time these days so it's usually more efficient to sacrifice some memory efficiency for a system that  is less painful to deal with. It comes down to the right tool for the job.

[DmdMac]

Originally posted by MrCoffee
You'll never be a great C programmer if you dont know assembly.

This is not correct anymore.  Back about 10 years ago it probably was valid, but modern compilers have gotten much better at optimizing code because you can specify flags that target specific platforms.  The compiler is now likelier to write better asm code then the assembly programmer.

I would recommend you only learn Qbasic if you want to get into VB. Havent dont any VB in over five years myself but its a cool language for a windows person.

Granted it doesn't require much to get a functional program going, but I vote as many others in here. For C/C++.

Mac out

[Nilsen]

GCC something i can use?

[Pei]

Shold be: you will have to learn to use the windoze command prompt but it works fine.

[Nilsen]

Ok, ive decided to start with C and get GCC + some other aps + c for dummies and go from there....

[Vulcan]

mmmmm Prolog

Now theres a fun language.

Its like this BBS, Skuzzy writes rules, and we figure out how to bend em. Prolog's like that, you write a program then it does something totally unexpected ends up teaching you great logic flow though.