Programming - from scratch

[SMO]

First post, (I actually wrote one last night, then deleted it).

I can see the great potential for programming for an intp, but how to start, I mean start from the very beginning? Is there a recommended website to get a feel for it, I just need a push in the correct direction.

Alternately I am going to try and finish a novel, I have started several, none finished.

Background about me - Mid-thirties - different jobs - farm work, fast food, retail clothing, art model for class, resident adviser in the dorm, server, bartender, jewelry store sales, cold calling sales (the worst), licensed series 7, 66 investment advisor, banker, and now I own a real estate company that I started 2 years ago.

Associates degree in art, bachelors degree in general studies with an emphasis on business (although I am a couple of credits shy from having a bachelors in history and art).

I feel like with my artistic ability, finance background and small business background I could really get into something dealing with computers, IT, or programming. Just looking for some feedback/criticism/just basic information. Couple of question (yes, I realize these are subjective depending on skill etc. so you can save that lecture).
- What language to start with
- How long to get a basic understanding
- Money? (I know, for me a means to an end)
- How much time spent on it per week
- Any other info
Thanks in advance

 

[intpz]

To quote someone: "The P is strong in this one!"

Depends on what you wanna do and if you actually continue doing it with your Pness.. Just Google "C++ programming tutorial" or whatever language you wanna learn. Java, C#, D, C++,; I wouldn't recommend going for anything else. I've started with C++, people say it's too hard, start with Python. You could start with Python if you feel like getting an easy start.

You don't need money, obviously.

Other info depends on your needs, Google the damn thing first, will ya? Read it, practice it, come back in a week, or better yet - find a programming forum.

The questions about "how long" and "how much time" are utterly idiotic. In other words, they are screaming "I won't do it, I just got a wimp and am hoping to do it!" Nonetheless, they can't be answered by anyone but you.

 

[Architect]

What intpz said, plus

• What language to start with Java is a good one to start
• How long to get a basic understanding. If it takes 10 years and 100,000 bits of information to become an expert, as is believed, then you can define a basic understanding as say 10% of that (1 year and 10,000 informationals)
• Money? (I know, for me a means to an end). I don't know what you're asking here, how much you make or how much it takes to get started? Since you have a computer to ask this question you probably have all you need.
• How much time spent on it per week. Every day in your spare time
• Any other info. If you enjoy hacking around on your computer then you will like it.

 

[SMO]

Well, to clarify the "how long" as I think the 10 year/expert may be a misnomer. As an example, I knew nothing about real estate before I started a company in it, I now think of myself as being proficient, but to someone who has no knowledge about it, I am an expert. So, could I, lets say, start with a couple of hours a week, after 6 months what would that represent? Would I be able to program something simple after that time frame, and as time goes on you do things that are more complex or do you just get better and make fewer mistakes as you gain experience?
"money" sorry, I was trying to illustrate that I don't necessarily want to program simply for the sake of money, but since that is a good ancillary benefit it would be nice.

 

[intpz]

I will partially quote Architect here: "stab me in the crotch, PLEASE!"

Start doing the damn thing and you'll find out. But yes, if you aren't stupid (which you aren't, you've just got huge Pness... I think), you will be able to do it significantly sooner.

I've written a rather fancy calculator after spending less than 24 hours reading and trying various examples. I've been able to write Pong in spending less than 8 hours reading about the library I used. Pong contained some extra features, and I've made the graphics, which probably consumed about an hour. I've written some other random shit in a relatively short period of time. I struggled with some subjects until I actually needed to apply them, then I got them in half an hour to an hour (pointers and classes if that means something to you).

Anyway, I recommend Python, C# or Java. Java is the most prospective language at the moment... And stop asking dumb questions, curb your Pness!

 

[SMO]

"I will partially quote Architect here: "stab me in the crotch, PLEASE!"

I will try to avoid your femoral artery, but I can make no guarantees.

Java it is, looks like I will be up late tonight.

 

[intpz]

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and experience on the upcoming weekend.

 

[Etheri]

To quote someone: "The P is strong in this one!"

SOMEONE?!

Java it is, looks like I will be up late tonight.

You can pick up basic java within a month or less, if you have ... an hour a day, the interest and the insight to learn quickly. Autodidactism is fun.
As for learning method, I'd say focus (80% of your time?) on PRACTISING IT. Writing random programs, making them bigger, better, more awesome. Test what you've most recently learned. And this is coming from "someone" who NEVER EVER makes excercises for pretty much anything... Because theory is interesting, applying it is rarely something new.

I do not agree with architect, I don't think that the time needed to learn the basics (said 10% in his case) is linear to the time needed to know everything (100%). It takes far less time to learn the first 10% than it does to master those last 5%.

 

[Intellect]

I agree with Etheri: the best way to learn is by actually writing code.

Another piece of advice: when you're going through tutorials, never just copy/paste the code. always type it up yourself. You get a better feel for what's going on by doing this.

While everyone has their own personal preferences for languages, I recommend picking a language that connects to something you're interested in. For example, if you're interested in building web applications, learn PHP/MySQL. If you like video games, then learn C++/DirectX.

Coding is fun. If you like problem solving, you'll enjoy it a lot.

 

[SMO]

Well, I started going through some JAVA and found that I needed to understand HTML first, so I will be going through some HTML tutorials first.

What is the basic definition of these codes as far as what they do? I will try to explain my question from exercise physiology. If you lift heavy weight for low reps, you build strength, medium weight medium muscle, you build muscle shape, low weight and high reps you build slender toned muscle. Even though they are all exercise, the goal with each is different. Is this a similar concept with codes? What do the different codes do and for what is their main purpose?

Does this "code" create everything? Why is it not more automated? Certainly there could be a simple one line that condenses previous code into an easier format? Is this not possible?

Forgive my ignorance I am just trying to absorb as much as quickly as possible.

 

[pjoa09]

Udacity? A bunch of interactive video courses.

Apparently, it makes me feel stupid very often.

Code are a series of instructions provided to a computer to perform simple or complex manipulations of data.

That is as far as I know. I am a complete beginner so I don't know how COD 4 resulted.

I think programming is like designing buildings. You got a mud house and you got a large busy city.

When you start you are building the mud houses. Three to four lines of code.

When you go for the large busy city you can get up to tens of million lines of code. By then you got quite a few guys helping.

 

[walfin]

Why is it not more automated?

What do you want to automate and what IDE do you use?

 

[Affinity]

I'm currently taking classes on Java right now and this is the book we are using...

http://www.amazon.com/Program-early-objects-Edition-Deitel/dp/0132575663

It's not too bad IMO. You can get the international edition off ebay for like 40 bucks or if you look hard enough, you can find the digital copy for free.

 

[SMO]

What do you want to automate and what IDE do you use?

I didn't have anything specific in mind that I wanted to automate, but it seems like you could just have a "hot key" of code that would pre-write a long string of code that had been previously used instead of typing all those lines again and again.

Since I had to look up IDE, I will have to get back with you on the answer.

 

[SMO]

Udacity? A bunch of interactive video courses.
.

Very cool site, thank you.