Getting Started

[MrMiniBeast]

So I've been trying to get into programming. I know a very limited amount of java, HTML, and css, but have never gotten very far with any of these. I would like to find one programming language and master it before I start learning a different language.

 

1) What language should i start with? I'm thinking either Python or C++, knowing Python is easier but C++ is more useful.

 

2) How should I learn the language? I've used TheNewBoston's videos before and they were great, but I don't feel like they are very complete and also don't think any videos are easy to use if you ever want to reference something. Any good books or websites?

 

Thanks for the help.

 

Oh and I'm not really interested in web development, I'd rather be programming games or other software.

 

[sabot]

Pick a program that you want to make. I made tetris using python. I really enjoyed making it and learned a lot. You can also view the sources of programs and look around to learn how it works. I personally would recommend python. Use wingide as your development area.

http://www.wingware.com/

[MrMiniBeast]

That's probably a good idea.

What should I use to learn though?

Cab recommend any books?

[arkon]

Here's a good "book" for Python! http://interactivepython.org/courselib/static/thinkcspy/index.html

[MrMiniBeast]

Awesome! Thanks for the help

[Zonked]

I would usually recommend Python as a first language in most cases. It is simple to get going quickly with it and will teach you lots of core concepts such as loops, algorithms, conditionals and just the process of coding. From there learning a more complex language like C++ will be somewhat easier.

 

Check out this thread for some learning resources:

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/14904-ultimate-programming-resources-thread/

[Darkfeign]

If you've already made a start with Java, it wouldn't be a bad decision to stick with that as you should be comfortable with the compiling stage and the libraries, etc. My suggestion, therefore, would be 'Java: How to program' (Deitel). It's a full programming guide with a concentration on Java, but is very thorough.

[AroundWayOtherThe]

Python is really good for getting basic concepts down-pat. Then you'll find it easy to go into more useful languages like C (at least I did, managed to get a HD in a computing course I had to do without paying attention for 80% of the semester. Learnt in Python beforehand, got taught C)

[Zonked]

If you've already made a start with Java, it wouldn't be a bad decision to stick with that as you should be comfortable with the compiling stage and the libraries, etc. My suggestion, therefore, would be 'Java: How to program' (Deitel). It's a full programming guide with a concentration on Java, but is very thorough.

If you're going the Java route then I highly recommend this book! It is very good! 

[MrMiniBeast]

Pick a program that you want to make. I made tetris using python. I really enjoyed making it and learned a lot. You can also view the sources of programs and look around to learn how it works. I personally would recommend python. Use wingide as your development area.

http://www.wingware.com/

I checked this out...but it seemed you had to pay for it. Im only 15 so I dont have money to spend on something like this right now. Is it like winrar where i'll never actually have to pay or is there another IDE i can try.

[sabot]

Use the free version, that is what I used (I was 15 when I learned using it.)

[arkon]

I checked this out...but it seemed you had to pay for it. Im only 15 so I dont have money to spend on something like this right now. Is it like winrar where i'll never actually have to pay or is there another IDE i can try.

 

http://www.wingware.com/downloads/wingide-101/4.1.13-1/binaries

[Zonked]

Use IDLE and read some books or online tutorials.

 

 

http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book - Extensive HTML book on the basic of Python

http://www.diveintopython.net - Same concept as the above resource, but slightly more advanced

http://www.pygame.org/news.html  - Features tutorials for Python game development.

http://www.python.org/ - Official Python website. Includes tutorials and documentation.

http://inventwithpython.com/chapters/ - Online tutorials of actual programs and games (very good!)

http://www.codecadem.../#!/exercises/0 - Interactive learning with rewards in a variety of languages including Python

http://www.youtube.c...er/thenewboston -Python tutorials of lots of languages, also entertaining.

 

Think Python - Allen Downey

 

Good luck.