looking for advise.

[Byte 2.0]

If a person has, lets say next to No program skill or knowledge.

What is considered the best natural course and order of programming languages?

I am thinking about getting a basic understanding of programming and want to start self directed study, but I need to know a good starting point.


I will be working out of windows based computers. I am not asking for a complete step by step guide of how To:'s. Kinda hoping for a simple order of programming lanuages, suchs a C, followed by C++, visual basic. ect.

I believe C is one of the earlier ones, but is it the first step or is there something farther back then that?

[kram 2.0]

The nice thing about programming is that hopping from one to another usually is pretty easy - lately, a lot are C-based. I suggest Java or C++ as the first step. Learn the concept, such as the for loops, if statements, etc and you'll do fine on other programming languages.

For programming, I recommend Peachpit Press's Visual QuickStart/QuickPro Guides. Well written (depending on authors, but a sizable majority are), and are well paced.

kram

[foolishone]

I kinda want to say VB. It is great to learn the concepts, FOR Loops, IF statements, arrays, etc., in. Although it does stupid stuff like set the inital value of a variable to zero, unlike C based progamming languages. It has an "easy" feel to it, but like I said it also has many cons. So I say VB, closely followed by Java. From there it is basically just syntax between Java and any other C progamming language.

^fo

[shaticus]

I'd have to say c to C++.
Most of what you learn in c translates directly to c++.
just my two cents.

It really depends on what you want to do with the languages.
(I.E Do you want to write games, program to Math equations, unit conversions, etc.)

[kstatefan40]

Hey byte,

I would start out with C, and learn it for a while because almost all the other languages are based off of C nowadays. After you have a good sense of programming knowledge in C (not a whole lot is nessissary), you can start to branch out based on what you want to do with the language. C++, VB, and Java all have a different purpuse:
Java - cross-platform, can be used in a web browser as an applet
VB - simple, for beginners and people who want to work at m$
C++ - very complex, but worth the time. Best for games and major programs

HTH,
TT

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by kstatefan40 C++, VB, and Java all have a different purpuse: Java - cross-platform, can be used in a web browser as an applet VB - simple, for beginners and people who want to work at m$ C++ - very complex, but worth the time. Best for games and major programs HTH, TT

Java isn't as good and prominant as it is because of its applets - I've seen entire programs that somehow run on the Java Environment! Learn one and you have a wealth of languages awaiting you .

kram

[LindZ]

I would say to learn Java first for a number of reasons. Firstly, its syntax is very similar to C++ so the transition is easy. Secondly is that Java is an extremely well designed language. It is very well thought out in terms of order, structure and object orientation. Learning Java is best if you want to end up writing good clean code. C and C++ are filled with little rules and exceptions that make them more difficult than Java. I'd say learn the basics in Java and then move to C/C++ if you would like.