Total Beginner Programmer

[ArnieCarnie]

Hello Guys, recently i have got the passion to learn programming, i am a total beginner and have no experience what so ever,

 

I mainly want to build applications and games when i get more experienced so i was wondering what the best language to learn first and what languages to progress on too.

 

i've read up and have mixed answers so i was hoping you more experienced people could point me in the right direction and possibly recommend me some tutorials or help

 

Thanks, 

ArnieCarnie

[Oshino Shinobu]

I'd start with some sort of C, probably C#. After learning the structure of C#, all of the other C languages and some others, like Java are all fairly easy to learn. 

[Baze_Ezra]

By my knowledge, Java is widely considered a good way to start. But it's also not got the best prospects. You'd want to move on to one of the  C's, Python or something.

 

For tutorials, there are several sites out there, as well as a number of courses. Really all you can do is look around and see what you can find.

I've had a look at Linda.com (one of LTT's sponsors) and they have some stuff, though I obviously don't know how good it is.

[trag1c]

I personally use C++ for when ever I do game development but that may not be the right choice for a beginner since its not exactly an easy language to learn but I certainly wouldn't say that it's a hard language to learn. I would recommend C# because It's a very easy to learn language that provides a lot of functionality and capability while still remaining very user friendly.

[Akolyte]

Honestly, you'll find what you like and catch on to it.  So because of this I wouldn't advise just going after one language.  Go after a few and just build your knowledge and find what you really want to do.  

 

I personally like C# and Ruby.  But, Python, Java, PHP, C#, Ruby, Javascript and even some more are all great languages to learn.  And widely used.  C# is used in creating games, not huge games but still, games.  With Unity.  Kerbal Space Program is made with C# and Unity.  

Javascript is used for websites, not to make websites but to add functionality to them. HTML as a whole and i guess CSS is used to make Websites. 

PHP can be used for allot of things actually, but its becoming older and less supported. But, its still an awesome language to learn 

And Ruby and Python are very simillar in the early parts.  But they are both great.  Python is more supported but Ruby is also too, and Ruby on Rails which is what you can use to make websites too, is used for allot of websites.  I think Twitch is made with Ruby on rails.

 

I'm just giving you some ideas as a core.  

Think of a project you want to make as a fun thing.  Something little but also a good challenge and start researching what you'll need and go from there.

In my opinion nothing gives you the will to learn and succeed other than Inspiration and Confidence. 

 

And remember.  You can litterally do anything given the time.  honestly, think of it that way.  

[mkylem]

Here's some help coming from a person who's mostly self taught for C/C++ and Java and tried helping others learning those languages:

 

Try different programming languages and don't feel intimidated to take time to think about something. Try focusing on what concepts are important for continuing to program no matter what language you choose. It may be disheartening at times because you're just not getting it, but I completely understand. It happens. Sometimes you just gotta stop programming for a bit and come back to it in a day or two.

 

Also, don't feel bad if you have to search other websites or reference material or ask a forum to proceed in programming.

 

Now to ask your question, I recommend C++ because it's functional, fast, and teaches you things like linking and using pointers while Java uses pointers for everything. But don't forget that you can dabble with multiple languages and find out which feels the most comfortable with you. Regardless of what you choose, there are two things that future you will be thankful of: Learn/teach yourself to use proper variable names that makes sense, even to people who aren't you, and comment where clarification is needed to help make programming faster (such as before functions to tell the reader the return values and what conditions make it return what).

 

If you do choose to start with C++, after you feel comfortable with it, you should add Lua or Python to your repertoire. They're scripting languages so you can modify parts of your code without having to compile. It saves a ton of time.

 

Just don't forget that, no matter what you do, just keep programming. It gives you more experience and more understanding of how the language works.

Again, this is just from my experience and what I've observed about other newbie programmers that were disheartened and gave up because they were frustrated and "didn't get it."

 

Hope this helps and works out for you!

-Kyle.

[a_block_of_wood]

Passion and logic thinking is much more important than language. Programming language comes and go, if not, they get updated over the years.

 

You're learning now, 10 years later you'll still be learning. 30 years later you'd probably still be learning (hopefully teaching younger generations to code.. maybe?).

 

I started with C. It helps cover the basics and build a foundation. I'm now coding C# but I'm mostly doing data modeling and database optimization. Nothing to do with games though...

[mkylem]

Passion and logic thinking is much more important than language. Programming language comes and go, if not, they get updated over the years.

 

You're learning now, 10 years later you'll still be learning. 30 years later you'd probably still be learning (hopefully teaching younger generations to code.. maybe?).

 

I started with C. It helps cover the basics and build a foundation. I'm now coding C# but I'm mostly doing data modeling and database optimization. Nothing to do with games though...

Doesn't mean in the slightest that you can't make games in your free time. 

[a_block_of_wood]

Doesn't mean in the slightest that you can't make games in your free time. 

Free time? What free time? *whimpers*

[mkylem]

Free time? What free time? *whimpers*

The free time you're using to respond to these messages. 

[a_block_of_wood]

The free time you're using to respond to these messages. 

Hahahaha. I'm still at work, just granted db access for the new DBA and I still have a logic error in my stored procedure to fix.. and I'm slacking off here. (it eases my mind so I can be productive later *excuses*)

[Shoob]

The first language I started learning in school was C++ and I have found it really frustrating for me as an absolute beginner. Although C++ is really powerful and universal, if I had to choose a programming language for beginners I'd probably go for C#. This book is well written and covers most of the fundamentals IMO. Of course I'm sure there are better books out there. You can watch some tutorials in youtube or lynda for example if you prefer that, but be sure to practice a lot. Practice makes perfect.