should i start with C before i move onto C++?

[Flammable]

thanks for your input

 

[Nothinman]

Probably not and if you don't specifically need C++ for whatever you're trying to accomplish you should probably look at starting with something a little higher level like C#, Python, Java, etc.

 

[Atheus]

Ever programmed before? If not don't bother with C++ right now - you will need to be familiar with advanced concepts like OOP and memory management in order to use it properly.

If you already know an OO language like Java though, or even VB (yuk), you might as well just jump straight to C++.

 

[xtknight]

Just start at C++. Master the OO stuff and then you can refine your knowledge by learn the low-level stuff (you'll probably get enough exposure to it in C++ itself).

If this is your first language start at VB.NET.

 

[VIAN]

no, C++ is better, so learn from it.

 

[her209]

Don't bother. You'll only confuse yourself.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Atheus
Ever programmed before? If not don't bother with C++ right now - you will need to be familiar with advanced concepts like OOP and memory management in order to use it properly.

If you already know an OO language like Java though, or even VB (yuk), you might as well just jump straight to C++.

I wouldn't spend too much time on C++, but I think learning it can help with understanding of OOP concepts in other languages, because you have to understand pointers and references and whatnot. It's nice that C# and Java make that stuff easy for you, but I like to actually understand what's going on even if it's done for me.

 

[Schadenfroh]

no

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: VIAN
no, C++ is better, so learn from it.

On the spectrum of languages out there, C++ is probably one of the worst ones. It is an ugly behemoth, to say the least.

 

[Markbnj]

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: VIAN
no, C++ is better, so learn from it.

On the spectrum of languages out there, C++ is probably one of the worst ones. It is an ugly behemoth, to say the least.

Haha, well... yes. It can be quite powerful in experienced hands, but in it's middle age it is nowhere near the svelt youth it used to be. Of course, back when it was a kid the C guys still thought it was a bloated mess.

To the OP: No, don't start with C. Starting with C++ is enough of a challenge. If you're doing Windows development just skip C++ and start with C#.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: VIAN
no, C++ is better, so learn from it.

On the spectrum of languages out there, C++ is probably one of the worst ones. It is an ugly behemoth, to say the least.

I am sure to find that C++ is a very easy language compared to others out there, for I am taking a 10-week class this summer to learn assembly (required for my major).

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: VIAN
no, C++ is better, so learn from it.

On the spectrum of languages out there, C++ is probably one of the worst ones. It is an ugly behemoth, to say the least.

I am sure to find that C++ is a very easy language compared to others out there, for I am taking a 10-week class this summer to learn assembly (required for my major).

Easy to learn? Depends on how much you plan on learning. Overall it is a highly convoluted language. Comparing it to assembly is pointless, as the domain of both languages is different. No one learns assembly to learn how to program.

 

[ElDonAntonio]

The approach my university took was to teach us to program using a C++ environment but no OO concepts at first. Once we were comfortable with thinking in terms of algorithms, using the syntax, writing small programs, debugging and having basic concepts of memory management, we moved onto OO programming.

I found the approach very clean and efficient.

 

[Flyback]

I don't know why anyone would bother with C++ at first.

Learn C. It's a rather simple language (much simpler than C++).

You will learn the essentials with it: variables, flow control, conditions, evaluating statements, memory allocation, and arrays. The essentials are the fundamentals to programming and you will use them in all programming you do subsequently. It is best to understand and grasp these before tackling more.

Trying to combine Object Oriented concepts while learning to program is too overwhelming for most people and you'd just grow frustrated with too many things going on at once.

Once you establish the basics in C and understand fundamentals, move onwards to C++ or Java. I'd recommend Java or C# but I'm bias.

The best C book out there is "The C Programming Language" by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie. It is a terse book but very good. If you buy it, force yourself to do each exercise before moving forward. By the time you get to the end of the book you will have a strong programming concept foundation.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
To the OP: No, don't start with C. Starting with C++ is enough of a challenge. If you're doing Windows development just skip C++ and start with C#.

:thumbsup: If you want to push someone to suicide, Windows API + C++ may be a quicker solution than a drug overdose.