What language should I learn first (programming wise?)

[Tranceformers]

I'm a beginning, very very beginner. I know nothing about programming. I would like to get into it though. Can you guys leand me a helping hand and tell me what language I should start out with? I'm a 18 year old college student, so It's not like I'm a 12 year old or anything. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Delusion2001]

start with vb......very easy

or even easier is javascript and the sort so you get the "programming mentality" so-to-speak

 

[Jumpem]

Start with Java or C, see what your school uses for comp sci 101.

 

[ChicoConKarma]

IMO the best possible environment for a beginning programmer is a good text editor (such as Emacs) and Sun's Java Developer's Kit. Both are free and available for nearly every platform out there. Plus, there are loads of excellent Java tutorials and resources on the web - particularly Sun's tutorial - the equivalent of a $40 book for free online.

Other than cost, why start with Java over C++? There are a pluses and minuses to both as languages (which is a topic for another thread) but here's why I think Java is especially suited for the beginner:

• In order to do anything really impressive in other languages, you need to learn other things that are specific to your OS or programming environment. Java includes a GUI framework, networking (very easy networking code), etc all built right into the standard libraries.
• It's got similar syntax to C++ and C, so moving to those languages is fairly painless.
• It's an object-oriented language, which is a very popular way to design programs. C++ is also generally considered object-oriented, so again there's some crossover.
• Last, and probably least, it's a popular language in industry. It'll help you get a job.

 

[BFG10K]

I'm a 18 year old college student

Take a few 1st year programming courses at your University. No doubt they'll be teaching you C++.

a beginning programmer is a good text editor (such as Emacs)

Emacs? LOL! What POS.
It's probably the worst text editor I've ever seen. I'd rather program in Notepad than use Emacs.

 

[Ladi]

A 12-year-old and an 18-year-old learning programming is really the same thing...code is code.

Java will actually hurt you when you start learning C/C++. Do yourself a favor and work from C/C++ to Java...you'll have a stronger programming background. Java is a new language with plenty of quirks and despite its current popularity, it's still got a long way to go. Strong C/C++ knowledge is more important for getting a job and for learning other object-oriented languages. Free compilers exist for both or you can buy IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) for fairly low prices as a student.

That said, neither Java nor C/C++ are the best places to start with programming entirely. Languages like javascript are great for object-oriented style and instant gratification -- it's easy to learn enough to turn out results fast, and you don't need to worry about a compiler because all you need is notepad and a browser. VB (visual basic) also has lots of resources available and is cheap to get started on. Scripting languages such as PHP have many object-oriented characteristics (and that's the important part) and you can learn some database while you're at it; PHP is free, you can run it off a free mySQL backend, code it with any free text editor or a free PHP editor available online. Delphi is another interesting language to take a look at. Learning TCL, perl, or similar and/or doing shell scripting on a *nix machine is also useful and still "programming."

Find out your interests first -- what do you want to do with code? -- then decide on the best language to learn.

~Ladi

 

[coder1]

I put some info on this earlier.

Here's the link to the thread. Let me know if you have any specific questions

Programmer's Thread

 

[Bluga]

C++. If youcan master it you can master ANY programming languages, period.

 

[coder1]

Bluga, I agree that C++ is a great language, but it is not necessary in many situations. I started with C++, and went on to write small applications in it, but found myself taking to long to write the apps. I soon learned that a combination of different technologies is the best solution. It all depends on what type of coding you want to do. (Again refer to my thread earlier) If you want to do games, then you WILL have to do C++ (I know some people may argue that you don't have to write games in C++, but ask any competent game developer and they will let you know it's the best platform currently) If you want to go into Web development (This is what I do) then you don't need alot of C++. (now some places you will need some C++) I find myself doing less and less C++ these days. Between writing my COM+ components in VB and using ASP and some client side scripting thats all I need to get my job done. (And it looks and performs great!) More and more company's are needing online database access. This is a great area for programmers. Yes there is also just plain desktop app development. Your gonna want to know C++, but more important, you will need to know Win32 API and probablly some MFC or other wrapper. I find this area little more boring. (again this is just my opinion) Anyways, that sums up my view in a nutshell

 

[bigrash]

I would recomment either Java or C++, only because most colleges with cs degree require one of those two(if not both)

 

[coder1]

Java is very nice, It is truly an Object-Oriented Language. And because of this, it's harder to grasp some of it's concepts. It's a very elegant language. Sometimes I see beginners getting turned off by some of these lower level languages due to their complexity. If your not really sure what coding direction to go in, I would suggest starting with Visual Basic. It will help to start thinking in a more logical sense. (I know the others will to. but with VB he can see results a little quicker) Again just my opinion. I have been down that very path and wondered where to start.

 

[DocDoo]

I am always amazed why no one ever mentions Python.

Python is perfect for a virgin programer.

 

[esung]

C/C++ will be a good choice.

 

[Blizzak]

c++ deffinately and get MSVC++ i just got it from compusa for 100 bucks but theres a rebate on it for 50 dollars.. i don't know if its still good tho

 

[Shazam]

Java.

Not dealing with garbage collection and pointers that are also objects will help you understand OO faster.

 

[Blizzak]

^^ true

 

[davidf]

I'd say it depends a little on how you think -- if programming comes naturally, Java is a great place to start. If it feels a little awkward, maybe VB then. Of course, there is a chicken-vs.-egg problem in my comment
If you are going to get into CS classes, knowing something of Java and/or C++ will be usefull. Based on my experience, going from Java to C++ is more satisfying than the opposite -- due largely to the included GUI-building classes and the avoidance of "garbage collection and pointers" that shazam mentioned.

If you do start with Java or C++, get a Deitel&Deitel book. They are the best (imho), and typically include decent GUI, all-in-one compilers/editors. These are much better for beginning to program in than any text editor.

David

 

[Nevyn522]

I personally taught myself to program, going from C to a bit of C++ to VB to C++ to Java to ASP (with Javascript and VBScript, both), to now Scheme (a LISP dialect).

That being said. Any programming text that starts with C++ or Java or any other language is going to start with basic functional programming. Not even touching on Object Oriented code. For functional programming, pretty much any language will suffice. Visual Basic or VBScript are probably your best bets due to accessibility. Javascript might be a better choice, as the syntax is closer to that of C/C++/Java.

After you've started getting the hand on writing code in whatever functional language you choose, then start worrying about Object Oriented programming -- but at the start, don't worry about GUI displays or MFC or ATL or anything more than simple text output. Just get down the way of THINKING about programming. For that reason, I would almost certainly recommend staying away from Java. As someone else said above, it's far easier to go from C++ to Java than vice versa -- after all, it's a lot easier to learn NOT to worry about something than it is to learn TO worry about something.

You might even want to take a look at Microsoft's new C#. Nah, forget I said that.

So I would recommend starting with JavaScript, do some client side scripting. There are a lot of tutorials on that. After that learn some basic C -- the two will seem very similar, just adding a compile step. From there, go on to C++ -- the jump from C to C++ will just require you to add OO to your repertoire, and maybe make a few other adjustments. From there, the jump to Java or VB or any other language should be easy.

Good luck!

Andrew

PS: There are TONS of free compilers available on every platform. Borland has released theirs for free, and Microsoft has a cheap introductory version -- you just can't sell the finished program. There are other compilers also available. Good luck. Check out lcc-win32 , from Bloodshed, I think it is.