Want to learn how to program

[ltk007]

Where do I start, what language do I use, and what kinda resources are there for me to use.

 

[Haribo]

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
cout << &quot;I think Microsoft Visual Basic\n&quot;;
cout << &quot;is pretty good to start with.&quot;;
return 0;
}

<edit> F_ck I made 2 errors in this small peice of code Well they're fixed now, it compiles yey! <edit>

 

[HigherGround]

Language of choice: Since we are living in an OOP (object oriented programming) world, I would suggest C++. Java would also do, but it's even higher level than C++ ans won't expose you as much to certain topics that C/C++ offer.
Compiler: The best free compilers are Borland's C++ compiler aka Turbo C++ or GNUs C++ compilers for DOS.
Books: C++ How to Program by Deitel/Deitel

 

[virmaior]

well that all depends on what you are trying to do and how much patience that you have to learn. If you want to try and get a job
doing it, then you are probably going to want to look into getting
a MCSP (microsoft certified solutions provider). If you are just wanting to mess around, then you might want to look into Visual Basic (I personally hate basic in all its forms though) or Delphi (it's really nice, but I might just be saying that, because it is the only programming language that has made me any money so far). If you are in for a headache, you can do C++. If you are in it to make money programming on a pc using the windows platform, then you basically have to buy either a microsoft or borland product to do it. Sure, there are free compilers out there, but when was the last time you saw something major get published from one of them? (There are tell-tale signs of which compiler is being used even if you don't look at the binaries in a hex-editor).

Programming can be easy (If you start with really simple programs and slowly work your way up), or it can be hard (like expecting to have your first program be a device driver or trying to rewrite the ipx/spx networking program for doom so that it integrates support for a modem connection... that kind of went no where since I was also translating it from c to turbo pascal... but that's another story).
But anyway, the actual language that you pick isn't really that important anymore. A more important thing, today, is understanding the object-model and leveraging it your advantage. IF anything, learn oop (object-oriented programming). Then learning other programming languages is nothing more than speaking with an accent.

Don't expect to be putting out like direct 3d games for quite some time or anything. Programming is a long and hard road, but you can make yourself some rather useful utilities even with very little training. You can probably find large amounts of free code to look at from the internet, or you can buy a book when you buy the programming language. Even when these things give you code, don't just copy it. Learn what it means and start improving on their code and changing it your code.

 

[KoK_Thunder]

Haribo: How could you reccomend VB to a budding programmer? Look at your sig, as you already know MS makes a **** product. This includes VB, VBscript, ASP, and a bunch of other stuff I do not care to mention. After learning C as my first language, and then learning Perl, I found Perl to be very easy. I would reccomend Perl. You can search for a Perl tutorial on the net, go to http://www.programmingtutorials.com, or visit a local book store and find a book suited to your needs.

 

[HigherGround]

Haribo: VB is good for RAD when you need to get something out really fast, but I don't believe it will expose him to traditional programming techniques. Also your little program would fail to compile with the 'Return' : undeclared identifier error

 

[zippy]

Here is a link to my friend's site...it is still in progress (obviously) but he does have quite a few in depth tutorials up so far...his layout and whatnot are still rough and he isn't close to finished with the tutorials...but here it is:

http://www.freejavahelp.com

 

[Haribo]

It's fixed now

Well if you know absolutly NOTHING about programing I would sugest VB or any basic, they're all the same crap.

But well if you have some idea about the whole thing go with what the others have recomended.

 

[utopia]

I say HTML, then java-script, then java, then VB, then C++...