Tips for a Soon-To-Be Programmer

I'm planning on taking up programming but I don't know where to start. Note that I have ZERO knowledge when it comes to programming. I don't know what they do and how to do it.

With that being said, where do I start? What's the first thing that I have to learn? PHP? mySQL? CSS? I noticed that there are several languages. Can you give me a hierarchy of the things that I need to learn starting from the most basic?

First you must realize that specific languages are mainly used for specific things. For example, PHP is used to make websites, while C++ is used to make programs/games.

Since you have zero experience, you might want to try this little 15 min tutorial to Ruby
It will give you basic understanding of variables, tables and so on. Although I do NOT recommend Ruby to learn first.
I would recommend C++/Java for writing simple programs, or HTML/PHP + CSS + SQL if you prefer websites.

I am no programmer but have been thinking about trying to get into it. I was looking at code university. It's a free online course provided by google. Google it

Looks pretty promising but with google you can never tell. Maybe some experienced programmers could look at it and see if it is worth a shot.

you should start with C, its the basic of all programming language. If you understand C you can understand other language easily. Btw, CSS and mySQL is not programming .

Thanks! I'm thinking of attending a short-course. I prefer it over an online course because I would need an instructor to really show me the way since I really don't know anything about programming.

Can you tell me which one among these courses is good to start with?


Judging from the listed prerequisites, I think the most basic that they have is Visual Basic 6. Is it a good place to start?

At this point, I can't really decide if I want to create programs or websites. I guess websites first since I create websites but with Wordpress.

bucksgen: When you say C, are you referring to C#?

BigMarcusStud said:

Thanks! I'm thinking of attending a short-course. I prefer it over an online course because I would need an instructor to really show me the way since I really don't know anything about programming.

Can you tell me which one among these courses is good to start with?

Code:

http://www.cnctc.com.ph/courses.htm#mand

Judging from the listed prerequisites, I think the most basic that they have is Visual Basic 6. Is it a good place to start?

At this point, I can't really decide if I want to create programs or websites. I guess websites first since I create websites but with Wordpress.

bucksgen: When you say C, are you referring to C#?

Click to expand...

C is the basic programming lanugage, it's the most indeep, and hardest to learn completely, because you have to keep care about really "everything".

So keep in mind, that you will have a tough time understanding things, and that it's going to take you a LOT of time.

Whereas C++ is the evolved version and C# is using .net references, which makes it easier as you can use already programmed functions, so C# of these 3 is easier.

For visual basic you can use the .net enviroment for exmaple aswell.

But as already said, if you learn the basic things like variables, arrays, object programming aka functions, and methods, etc. you are good to go with other languages in the long run aswell.

Regardless, without a purpose of why you want to programm and what exactly, it's hard to tell, what to use.

I'd say visual basics .net would be a good starting point, although some would argue that it teaches bad habbits.

BigMarcusStud said:

Thanks! I'm thinking of attending a short-course. I prefer it over an online course because I would need an instructor to really show me the way since I really don't know anything about programming.

Can you tell me which one among these courses is good to start with?

Code:

http://www.cnctc.com.ph/courses.htm#mand

Judging from the listed prerequisites, I think the most basic that they have is Visual Basic 6. Is it a good place to start?

At this point, I can't really decide if I want to create programs or websites. I guess websites first since I create websites but with Wordpress.

bucksgen: When you say C, are you referring to C#?

Click to expand...

take C#.NET Programming if you want to make programs

PHP and MySQL Programming for website

but..really, start with C# first

First you might want to have a look here: http://www.w3schools.com/

I'd suggest to learn the basic structures of any procedural programming language: conditionals, loops, types of data including different variables, arrays.

Then since you're on this forum it might make sense to start learning and putting in practice a few simple constructs on some scripting language, either some simple php and javascript that are among the most common foundations of the web.

As you get a grasp you can further the exercise and go deeper into the study of compiled / bytecode programming languages: c/c++/c#/java you name it. Learn a few frameworks, maybe .net, qt, mfc and start building your own apps: that's the best way to learn.

When you are a bit more seasoned and have understood the concepts of compiling, debugging, profiling, heap, stack, managing the memory I'd suggest trying your luck with some functional programming languages and/or move to other more exotic paradigms. Ruby, erlang, haskell should never be considered a rookie's first choice imo.

When you're a half pro, chances are that you'll have strong desire to learn even more, even not for profit and that you might want to complete your education by investigating the guts of how your machine *really* works by learning assembly for a few hw architectures. That would be the kind of path that I'd recommend someone that's very serious about learning how to become a decent coder not some half-assed script kiddie.

HTH

Start with any variant of Visual basic and go from there (java, C++, C#, etc...).

The very basic of everything is vb.net =)

Start with Studio.net. It's a little easier to learn and there are jobs out there for that type of development.

If you are going to web route I don't know what to say. If you are going to desktop software route I highly suggest using VB for a while but then buying "The C Programming language" by K&R and reading it/doing the exercises. Then start accomplishing tasks like designing games, apps, etc to get some experience.

as said above it depends on your goals, do you wanna be a web programmer or an applicatio,bot programmer? for the web programmer html,css,javascript and a server side programming language of your choice you can choose c or you can choose java for desktop applications,games etc...

I would recommend Ruby on Rails to get yourself familiar with MVC concepts, and ruby i find generally great to work with

Try to go with scripting at first (html, css), then try to understand programming logic with PHP or Javascript. After mastering PHP + one more desktop app programming language (I suggest Java) you will have enough knowledge to choose your next language and it will be easier for you to learn it.

If you're interested in web programming, yet still wish to make windows based software as well,

I suggest you learn C#.Net. It's just as easy as learning VB.Net anymore, and is now the new 'standard'.

With knowing C#, you can make your windows software, as well as you can make websites in ASP.Net(Which supports VB.Net/C#.Net). The only "down side" is that your web host has to be a asp.net(windows web host) however, there are plenty of sites that offer cheap windows based web hosting.

I would recommend going to the library & getting your hands on the "programming for Dummy books". Sounds odd but they break things down great and can help big time. I'm no expert but everything I learned about building websites came from those books & books related to this.

Good Luck

The first question anyone will ask you is: what do you want to program? Is is a web page? Is it a web bot? Is it a standalone accounting program? Taking this into consideration, you will have a plethora of options available. However, there is something all programming languages have in common: variable declarations, functions, loops, conditional cycles and so on. You should start with a book like "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Programming Basics" that will teach you all of the above and more. Only then you will be able to make a pertinent choice regarding the programming language you want to learn afterwards.

I would also suggest you to start with C, then move on with C++ if you want to make programs. They are very hard to master but it's worth it. Some similar languages to these (which are not that hard to learn) are visual basic, vb.net, C# and others.