best introduction to programming book

[xyyz]

i'm a total idiot when it comes to programming.... I tried taking an introduction to programming class using Java... but I well... it was too much to handle.

Can someone suggest a really good intro book... to get me started?

Also... would you recommend that I start with linear programming languages first... or shall I jump straight to object oriented languages?

 

[FOBSIDE]

i say object oriented programming is the way to go...C++. i would recommend the deitel books but i know there are those in this forums that disagree with me.

 

[BearX00]

If you want to jump right into object oriented programming ( as i did ) java is much easier to start off with than C++ that is the way my school structures it too... i learned java after C++ but in any case one of the best ways to learn it is on suns website. the tutorials on java.sun.com are really well put together and you can basically get any information you need off of them. also about the deitel books, i agree they were very helpful, especially the one i used for c++

 

[gittyup]

Book suggestion: "Java How To Program" by Deitel & Deitel

Java is a very nice language. I program in both C++ and Java in my job. I prefer Java over C++
any day. Ofcourse, they are both object oriented, but in Java everything is an object. I started
with C ( linear ) and then jumped to C++ ( object ) and then to Java ( object ). My 2 cents...

 

[Jumpem]

I actually used that Deitel book Gittyup mentioned in my CS 101 class.

BearX00, could you do me a favor and post the link for the tutorials on java.sun.com? Or are you just talking about the API?

 

[Jaraxal]

Speaking as a non-programmer in the learning mode, if you just want to get familiar with programming and concepts, I would recommend Visual Basic. It is extremely easy to pick up and understand and will at least help you learn the concepts.

If you want to learn a practical language that will take you some place from the get-go, then perhaps C++ or Java would be better.

I personally am starting off with C++, but I have experience in Unix Shell Scripting/Programming, Perl, Pascal and a little Visual Basic. I understand most, if not all, of the concepts. I just need to learn the language and how to implement it best.

Perl rocks ... ;-)