Programmer's Advice Needed...

[Rip the Jacker]

Well, I'm trying to get into programming with my first programming language, PHP, and the variables, strings, and the beginner-stuff are pretty easy.

However, when I start looking at scripts in CMS's, or just any advanced php scripts, I just get confused and intimidated...

I'm trying to learn the advanced stuff now (well for me), or the stuff after the beginner's level and I just can't seem to get it in my head.

Is this because I was not made to be a programmer? Is it easier for other people? Do you have to really kick the knowledge in your head, or do you just "get it" ? I'm starting to think of giving up programming, but I do want to make my own content management systems, and scripts, etc.

Programmer's advice please. (BTW: I'm 17, I take Algebra 2 which I don't do well in (weak math student, and this is my first programming language. I'm pretty good with XHTML/CSS, but those aren't real programming languages).

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you took programming classes in school you'd work your way up, from 1-paragraph programs, to 1-page, to several pages, to group projects that are a small book.

It sounds like you're trying to make too big of a jump.

You might go to some PHP site that has smaller scripts, and work with those.

 

[kamper]

The first time I started looking at real life code from the wild, I was already proficient enough to handle it. But I'm doing a formal education which gives you about (in my case) 2 or 3 semesters of actually learning languages. After that you just continue to pick it up on your own with all the other stuff that you do. I think the key is really to find something that you are capable of writing and do that for a while as practice which will help you improve. Of course it's important to be quite interested in it if you don't have marks motivating you

Also, don't assume that everything out there that you can't understand is just too advanced. It could very well be that you're just looking at crap

 

[Rip the Jacker]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
If you took programming classes in school you'd work your way up, from 1-paragraph programs, to 1-page, to several pages, to group projects that are a small book.

It sounds like you're trying to make too big of a jump.

You might go to some PHP site that has smaller scripts, and work with those.

I'm in school, but I haven't taken any programming classes. Just trying to learn at home, etc.

 

[Cooler]

Originally posted by: ItmPls

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
If you took programming classes in school you'd work your way up, from 1-paragraph programs, to 1-page, to several pages, to group projects that are a small book.

It sounds like you're trying to make too big of a jump.

You might go to some PHP site that has smaller scripts, and work with those.

I'm in school, but I haven't taken any programming classes. Just trying to learn at home, etc.

PHP will spoil you in programming because of lose type casting.
C++ is good idea to learn to get a good understanding how fuctions work ect.

 

[Rip the Jacker]

php

ERR, I meant up

 

[notfred]

Ask a more specific question. What is it that you're trying to do that confuses you?

 

[mundane]

You're focusing on web programming - I'd almost suggest taking a step back and picking up a base language first (Java, C/C++/C#, Python, Ruby). Once you learn [one of] those, you can extend the concepts into nearly any other language.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz
You're focusing on web programming - I'd almost suggest taking a step back and picking up a base language first (Java, C/C++/C#, Python, Ruby). Once you learn [one of] those, you can extend the concepts into nearly any other language.

I'll second that - actually anything other then PHP as a first language.

But in general, I wouldn't worry to much about being intimidated looking at the code for a big project. I've come across some big "professional" projects that still took weeks (if ever ) to figure out which way was up.

 

[beyonddc]

Originally posted by: Armitage

Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz
You're focusing on web programming - I'd almost suggest taking a step back and picking up a base language first (Java, C/C++/C#, Python, Ruby). Once you learn [one of] those, you can extend the concepts into nearly any other language.

I'll second that - actually anything other then PHP as a first language.

But in general, I wouldn't worry to much about being intimidated looking at the code for a big project. I've come across some big "professional" projects that still took weeks (if ever ) to figure out which way was up.

I agree with you.
It'll take me atleast a day to understand people's code in a real project.

 

[ttown]

do you like it and find it interesting?
if yes then continue else quit

at age 17 with "beginner" status, you shouldn't feel bad about not "getting" all the code behind a CMS system. Something big in php can be pretty overwhelming.

I'd suggest thinking of something that you'd use... code a very small piece of it... get it working, then expand on it
Early on, I think it's important to see results quickly -- then work on adding functionality

And ya, I doubt I'd pick php as a starter language.... probably recommend java or even vb.net

 

[tuteja1986]

Originally posted by: beyonddc

Originally posted by: Armitage

Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz
You're focusing on web programming - I'd almost suggest taking a step back and picking up a base language first (Java, C/C++/C#, Python, Ruby). Once you learn [one of] those, you can extend the concepts into nearly any other language.

I'll second that - actually anything other then PHP as a first language.

But in general, I wouldn't worry to much about being intimidated looking at the code for a big project. I've come across some big "professional" projects that still took weeks (if ever ) to figure out which way was up.

I agree with you.
It'll take me atleast a day to understand people's code in a real project.

boy when C++ became basic language ;*(

 

[Cheetah8799]

Originally posted by: ItmPls
Is this because I was not made to be a programmer? Is it easier for other people? Do you have to really kick the knowledge in your head, or do you just "get it" ? I'm starting to think of giving up programming, but I do want to make my own content management systems, and scripts, etc.

I think your first problem is that you are trying to learn by looking at other people's code. Every programmer has trouble trying to interpret someone else's code. Everyone does things a little differently. I see this a lot in PHP and Perl scripts. There are a LOT of ways to get a job done. Some people don't have many comments, some don't tab their lines to make it more readable, things like that.

I think the best thing to do if you are new to all of this is to think of some sort of project you want to do. Maybe you see a web site that does something neat, well, try to duplicate it from scratch. Don't look at their code, that won't help much. Buy yourself a book or two, then go check out the online PHP manuals. From there, come up with your own way to get the same results.

If you do that, you'll start to learn how to do things in PHP. Once you can start to write code yourself, then you should look at other people's code so you can pick up other tips and tricks.

anyway, that's my advice.

 

[Atheus]

The CMS you are looking at is probably chock full of SQL database code which has nothing to do with PHP and will probably be unreadable to you.

I agree with others PHP is not a good beginner language for several reasons. Try C (if you want to do something low-level or network related) or Java or VB (if you want to make graphical apps quickly) then move to PHP if web applications are your main goal.

 

[Rip the Jacker]

Ok. I've decided to start with C++.

Other than ebooks, actual books, and online resources, what do I need? A compiler?

 

[SaturnX]

Originally posted by: ItmPls
Ok. I've decided to start with C++.

Other than ebooks, actual books, and online resources, what do I need? A compiler?

One thing to note is that depending on the compiler used, the libraries will differ, and therefore some functions will differ.

Borland offers a free compiler for download, www.borland.com

But yeah, all you need to get started is Notepad, and a compiler (there's plenty out there, just google)

--Mark

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: ItmPls
Ok. I've decided to start with C++.

Other than ebooks, actual books, and online resources, what do I need? A compiler?

A compiler - I like the free gnu compilers. And I'd reccomend a decent programer's editor. I use nedit on Linux, not sure what's good on MS. A good editor with syntax highlighting can help you spot problems that may be hard to see on something like notepad.

To be honest, starting with a compiled language puts a steep bit into the learning curve. I'd consider Python. If you do go with C++, I'd start with a simple command line compiler like Gnu, vs. trying to learn an IDE at the same time.

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

Looking at someone else's big pile o code can always be tough especially if it's sloppy/uncommented.

There's more than scripts.... look at object oriented stuff like java or VB.NET, which is probably what you'll have to do sooner or later anyhow.


I say python for people who never coded before but you have some.