Programming And Such, Help?

[DeshiKicksFTP]

Alright so, I think I made a mistake here. I went to the library and got this massive book on C# because I was under the impression it would be a good first language to learn. I think I was under the wrong impression. Thoughts?


Also, I got a book on Perl that came with a CD. Should I learn this, or is there anything else I should learn first?

I just don't want to screw myself up. Thanks.


EDIT: I just realized the book was "Revised to cover Perl 5.6!", and the current release is 5.10. Before I realized this, it came with an install file. So I installed it, but it didn't do anything. So I read the read-me, and it gave system requirements for all the way to Windows 95, but it only went up to Windows 2000. Fail. I just downloaded the new one.

[Emulated_Reality]

C and C++ are some of the best languages to know, so if you can learn them then do it. Otherwise, start out learning HTML/Java/whatever. C isn't that hard though.

[DeshiKicksFTP]

Originally Posted by Emulated_Reality

C and C++ are some of the best languages to know, so if you can learn them then do it. Otherwise, start out learning HTML/Java/whatever. C isn't that hard though.

I'm learning HTML at the moment. What's the difference between C#, C, and C++?

[Jo0]

I took Java in High School, now that I'm in College I'm taking C++. So far I know that java and c# are run off a runtime, which takes care of memory and what not. Making it a "safe" language (so my professor says). C/C++ are languages that run without a run time and the memory usage and stuff is managed through the coder/code, and that you have more direct access to hardware through C/C++ where as java/c# wont give it to you. I think C++ is just C with added stuff. I could be wrong. Whatever I'm missing I'm sure the code gurus around here will give a better explanation.

[NamelessNom4d]

HTML isn't really a code... it's more of a formatting syntax.

Java is a very good language to learn, it's similar to C++ in syntax. Both are good first programming languages. Start out experimenting with Hello World type programs and just work your way up from there. I took classes in high school and learned both C++ and Java but I also experimented a lot and figured out some stuff on my own. A lot of learning code is experimentation...

[Jo0]

Originally Posted by Slice_760

HTML isn't really a code... it's more of a formatting syntax.

Java is a very good language to learn, it's similar to C++ in syntax. Both are good first programming languages. Start out experimenting with Hello World type programs and just work your way up from there. I took classes in high school and learned both C++ and Java but I also experimented a lot and figured out some stuff on my own. A lot of learning code is experimentation...

This. Too bad I'm one of those people who can't come up with an idea to code unless someone gives me something like a lab sheet or some problem to solve. So I can't really experiment on my own.

[DeshiKicksFTP]

I know HTML isn't code. I just figured it'd be a good thing to know, and a good place to start. Cause if I can't learn HTML, I'm not gonna be able to learn a legit language.

[MunkeyQ]

Moving to Codes Of All Kinds.

[Axiom]

Maybe you should write down all the things about C# you thought made it a bad language for first timers. Then we can find a language that limits the use of those features. Everybody struggles with different aspects in learning, in theory C# should be a great first language as it's a managed language, but that level of obfuscation from the system is also overwhelming and hard to navigate if you don't have the underlining C background to understand what's going on and why you need to perform certain actions at certain times.

Perl is a great language, but the syntax would be hard to read for someone with no experience. PHP might be a good first language. Pascal is another good one for applications programming (Borland Delphi). C is simple enough and useful as well. Ruby is a good introduction to an all rounder, beautiful syntax to work with. If you've got 15mins you can try an interactive Ruby tutorial at http://tryruby.sophrinix.com/ type "help" to start.

Do some research and be prepared to commit a lot of time to learning your first language. Once you get your first, the others come pretty easily. Also, learn how to read formal documentation. A functions implementation is not always written in plain english...

[lolocaust]

C is a wonderful language that's completely worth learning. I feel that C++ or Java isn't the best first language to learn because OOP seems cumbersome and annoying at first (keep in mind this is only my opinion); also if you understand C, you understand the general syntax of a shitload of languages (including Java, C++, perl, and many others).

I use perl pretty much as duct tape (along with bash scripts); it can be an incredibly powerful language, but it's often messy. It was the first real programming language I learned, if I recall correctly.

Lots of people would also recommend Python. I don't like it because I'm difficult and don't like to take my whitespace seriously, but to each his own.

Ultimately I recommend either perl or python, I guess. I think you'd be able to get the most use out of them the quickest. Other than that it doesn't really matter, once you get the basics and get in a certain mindset you can (and should) pick up most other languages fairly easily (except functional languages - haskell is melting my brain at the moment).

also,

Originally Posted by DeshiKicksFTP

What's the difference between C#, C, and C++?

C is farily low-level. Most unix programs are written in it. It's also incredibly fast.
"C++ is an octopus made by nailing extra legs onto a dog" - Anonymous
C# was designed by microsoft so I always just assumed it was for fascists.

Hope I was at least somewhat helpful. Good luck

[DeshiKicksFTP]

Thanks for the help guys.