Computer Programming?

[GreenBMP]

I was wondering what computer programming language would be good for a total beginner. It's kind of hard to find out since almost everybody has a different opinion. I'm looking for a language that could be learned over the Internet or by book and doesn't require you to take courses. If anyone knows of such a language can you please recommend some good books which explain everything clearly for a beginner. Thanks.

[doctorgonzo]

Either Java or C++ would fit the bill. Both are useful, and there are online tutorials for both.

As for books, just do a search at Amazon. Sams Teach Yourself are pretty good for just about any topic.

[james8547]

Visaul Basic 6.0 is also good for beginners. It runs in a Windows environment and is more graphical (generally, fewer lines of coding depending on what kind of prog you're making) compared to C++.

[David14259]

I'd start with C++.

I reccomend the book - Starting out with C++ by Tony Gaddis....its like $50, but well worth it.

[doctorgonzo]

Visual Basic isn't bad (I have worked more with VB than with anything else), but unless I am mistaken there isn't a free IDE out there for you to use. With Java or C++, you have access to free IDEs.

[morcos]

see the top message in this forum group for many links to free sites for C. turing is really simple. VB is very simple. i would suggest any of the 3. its kinda useless to program in any older languages like foxpro or seomthing, just because its so obselete.:rolleyes:

[cdnref]

I'm very interested in writing programms and such, but what kind of stuff do you do with VB and C++, what's the differance? Doing C++ will you understand binary?

[juicelooser]

PHP is a great language. Check php.net for more.

[cdnref]

PHP? I;m not good with these abbrev.(or whatever it's called)

[vizun]

PHP is not a programming language, it is a server side scripting langauge used for the web, lol dont confuse a n00bie

[juicelooser]

ah, sorry about that.

i never made the distinction before, but that makes sense.

in that case, i'd start with vb.

[cdnref]

I did a little with VB last year in high school but I was only in the class for 2 months....I made MC Hammer dance across the screen. I was funny. Thats the most I know, but I forgot it all.:D

[doctorgonzo]

Visual Basic is probably a bit easier to learn. It is for rapid Windows GUI development. A few lines of code and you have yourself a Windows program (granted, it doesn't do much, but it is a Windows program). VB isn't as powerful as other languages, though. It isn't a true Object-Oriented Language (though this changes with the newest incarnation of Visual Basic, VB.NET).

C++ is a true Object-Oriented Language. It can be used for programming either console apps (run in DOS) or Windows apps, although coding Windows apps using the Windows API is much more complicated that coding Windows apps in VB. C++ can do just about anything, and most serious apps (including Windows itself) are written at least partially in C++.

You will learn binary using either language; after all, no matter what higher-level language you use, it all comes down to 1s and 0s.

[David14259]

hey doctorgonzo, what are you views of starting with Java?

[james8547]

If you want hardcore coding, go for Assembly. There are free compilers out there and you only need notepad (or DOS edit) to write the code. It's the most powerful / painful language I ever encountered. You will learn binary, hex, and debugging. It's powerful since you have direct access to the memory, registry, etc. It works fast with number calculations. The only downside is that it isn't good for business apps...I think it takes 4 lines of coding just to do a cout.