Programming?

[saffyangelis]

On the IRC chat, everyone was going on about programming (mainly because of Luzibot I think) and I have decided to learn, and apparently I should get a book on it.

So, any reccomendations?

I've downloaded Python, but I can download something else if it that's hard to learn from or something.

*still has no idea*

 

[Zealot]

In my hopes to learn programming, I have briefly tried out a few different languages, but now I'm set on learning Pythons. Compared to other languages, it's incredibly easy to learn, as well as understand. From what I've read, it is also pretty powerful.

I reccomend checking out http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide for some great resources.

For an excellent, newb-friendly tutorial, you should check out http://hetland.org/writing/instant-python.html

 

[FusionKnight]

Hmmm. If you've never programmed anything before, I'd suggest BASIC. Or maybe one of the many robo-wars type programs available online. Jumping right into a high-level object oriented language might be a big leap...

 

[Jesin]

I've downloaded Python

Great! You downloaded Python 3.0, not 2.6, right?

If Python is hard to learn, then you're using a bad tutorial. Python is easy to learn. (FusionKnight, BASIC is not a good idea. BASIC is harder and less useful than Python.)

I can help!

(Moving this thread...)

 

[FusionKnight]

Jesin, oh, I don't think Basic is harder. It's single-threaded basic logic. It's a good intro to programming (for someone who has absolutely ZERO experience) because the syntax is intuitive, the vocabulary is small, and it illustrates various programming paradigms like if-then-else forks, loops, memory allocation etc. You're right that it's not very useful though.

I personally love web and database programming, but I couldn't recommend it to a beginner. It requires a lot more basic understanding of computers, networks, and programming.

I'd still recommend something like http://www.robotbattle.com/ where you can program your own (virtual) robot. It requires you to learn basic programming skills with the addition of a concrete objective. Kick the snot out of the other robots. And it's fun!

 

[Jesin]

Jesin, oh, I don't think Basic is harder. It's single-threaded basic logic. It's a good intro to programming (for someone who has absolutely ZERO experience) because the syntax is intuitive, the vocabulary is small, and it illustrates various programming paradigms like if-then-else forks, loops, memory allocation etc. You're right that it's not very useful though.

BASIC is easier to master than Python, yes, but that's because there's less of it to master. In Python, learning to do everything that BASIC can do is easier than in BASIC.

 

[FusionKnight]

Well, I still think if Saffy has ZERO programming experience, it's best to start really simple, and get harder later. That's why I'd recommend something like Robot Battle; it's self contained, and has easily measured results. You can see your robot move and shoot, and you can measure it against other robots.

 

[Jesin]

OK, starting with something like Robot Battle is fine. (Though I think Python may have something like Turtle or something...) I was just saying that if you're starting with a bare language, and not some sort of educational framework like that, then Python is probably better.

 

[Kidege]

What about for someone who did very, very basic programming once upon a time?

 

[FusionKnight]

Robot Battle!

 

[Vegard Pompey]

Some experience with C++, recently started Python and it seems cool.

 

[saffyangelis]

Jesin, I got 2.6 'cos I downloaded it to try and run your othello game which I broke 'cos it was windows, remember?

 

[Jesin]

Oh, yeah. Well, since you're just starting now, it's probably best to start with the latest version, which in this case is 3.0.

 

[del]

I've been trying to teach myself Python as well, mostly just for fun little personal projects.

 

[Luzian]

I'm a c# programmer with experience with countless languages and technologies over the years.

If you want to learn programming on windows, I suggest C# or Visual Basic .NET. There are many reasons I suggest the .NET technology which I wont get into, but one of the most important is the Visual Studio IDE.

You can get their free "Express Edition" at http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/

 

[Jesin]

I would recommend something more cross-platform.

 

[Luzian]

Why is that logical?

I could argue that I suggest whatever makes you the most money if you plan on making a career of it, or whatever has more marketability.

 

[FusionKnight]

If the goal is simply to learn programming, then I would suggest staying far far away from .NET. Java would be a great object-oriented language to learn (once you've got the basics) as well as C++ or Python.

If the goal is to get a career, then .NET would probably be a good choice. Java will get you far as well.