Computer Programming [moved from Vista]

[christopher2405]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place, so please advise.

I am interested in getting into computer programming (nothing too advanced at the moment), but have no idea where to start.

Please could you point me in the direction of some decent tutorials and software (preferably free) so that I can just get a taste of what computer programming is like. I've heard of several programming languages (C++, Visual Basic, Javascript), but I'm not bothered about what the tutorials are for.

I just want a taste for programming at the minute - if I find I enjoy computer programming I may take a course in it or dedicate a lot of time to teaching over the internet.

Any advice welcome, thanks.

[jamiemac2005]

Hey, as you're not bothered about which language(i applaud that actually, the first thing you should do is learn the programming concepts), i suggest you try out C++... Here's a good link for tutorials: http://www.cprogramming.com/ Go to the C++ quickstart(not C, unless you'd rather try C), they advise you use the Dev-C++ IDE(i do to, it's free)...

If you want something easier you could try a watered down language(in my opinion) like AutoIt or AutoHotkey, these two are generally aimed at pc management but if you google them they're both free to use and have a lot of documentation on them...

If you want web-based languages (X)HTML, CSS and Javascript are the main 3 to learn and theres some good tutorials here(yet again all free to learn and use, i started with web-based but it really depends on what you want to be able to do): http://www.w3schools.com/

You could also try Java(I think Java's popularity is going up) but personally i havent found a load of documentation on it(other than Sun's tutorials) if you want this i can provide more links but google will also help...

Cheers,
Jamey

p.s. if you want a sturdy introduction to programming concepts(which will help you pick up new languages in future) i definately advice C++

[dm01]

I would go with Ruby or Perl. C++ is fine, but the ultra-strict code can be infuriating to deal with. Java is best to save until you have mastered C++, because Java and C++ share about eighty per cent of code.

I use the Visual Studio Express Edition C++. It's also free, and is a lot easier to install and work with for the average user. http://www.microsoft.com/express/vc/
I found Dev-C++ to be completely incompatible with Windows, but it was probably a special case.

Ruby help and download: http://www.math.umd.edu/~dcarrera/ruby/0.3/
Perl help: http://www.tizag.com/perlT/

You don't need a special program to create files, but you do need a compiler for C++ (included in Visual Studio), and a compiler for Ruby is helpful. Perl compiles in the browser, just like XHTML/CSS.

I recommend Notepad++ [http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm] for coding, because the syntax highlighting makes finding mistakes easier, and user macros make repetitive tasks, such as creating page headers, faster and easier.

[christopher2405]

Thanks all, both very helpful tips. I think I'll probably start with C++.

[jamiemac2005]

Originally Posted by dm01

I found Dev-C++ to be completely incompatible with Windows, but it was probably a special case.

Yeah, i think it was a special case, Dev-C++ worked out the box for me(well once installed it was fine)... But any IDE that uses a good compiler would do it.

I hadn't thought of ruby or perl actually, (mainly because i have no experience of them)...

and if you're going to start with C++ i definately suggest you take a look at cprogramming.com it has tutorials for complete beginners to advanced programmers.

Cheers,
Jamey