Good intro to programming?

[Swagtastic_Semicolon]

I am interested in doing some light programming here and there for fun but what I am wondering is how to get started. I want to know what kind of software I will need (mac compatible) and what the best why to learn languages like Python, Javascript, and HTML

[ddddanil]

I recommend NetBeans as a simple and light IDE (integrated development environment) for JS and HTML.

[Gachr]

HTML is much different to JS and Python. Don't take it into an account. Also, don't use IDEs, they are good for normal work but they will overwhelm you.

I can't answer your question before you answer mine - What do you want to do? Do you want to learn to program to make games, money, websites or perhaps something else? Or you don't know what quite yet?

[Scatoogle]

I would highly recommend netbeans and java. Netbeans is really easy to use and java is super easy to learn.

[straight_stewie]

The path you should take to begin programming is dependent on two sole factors: Your end goals for programming in the far off future, and what resources you have available to you to learn. We can give you better and more specific guidance with answers to these questions:

• What exactly is it that you want to do with programming (webapps gui, webapps backend, games, scientific discovery, arduino, just for fun...)? 
• Do you have anyone that is close to you that you can ask for help on a regular basis? If so, what languages are they most familiar and what is their domain of experience?
• How much (if any) money are you willing to spend to learn?

[vorticalbox]

16 hours ago, Scatoogle said:

I would highly recommend netbeans and java. Netbeans is really easy to use and java is super easy to learn.

java is the worst for starting out. Well not java so much but the materials used.

 

when I was in college right off the bat they stuff OOP down your throat before you have even done things like getting user input, adding numbers or printing different things based on input.

 

as the op is after "fun" c# would be better as the visual studio makes it very very to create gui based application.

[Scatoogle]

4 hours ago, vorticalbox said:

java is the worst for starting out. Well not java so much but the materials used.

 

when I was in college right off the bat they stuff OOP down your throat before you have even done things like getting user input, adding numbers or printing different things based on input.

 

as the op is after "fun" c# would be better as the visual studio makes it very very to create gui based application.

I personally find Java to be better for fun because of how straight forward the syntax is. Don't get me wrong, C# is definitely more powerful especially with the .net implementation. Couple that with its very C like syntax, writing complex algorithms is much more enjoyable. I just keep net beans on my computers for quick and simple applications.

[Graystripe]

The most important thing is what you want to do. Almost all languages require a similar amount of knowledge to use them, like variables and functions, but what makes them separate is what they accomplish. Here are some examples:

Swift: iOS / OS X app development

Javascript, HTML, CSS: Front-end websites (what you see on the screen)

C, C++: Generally low-level apps, or games

C#: Windows apps

Java: Mainly used for backend server operations (managing user data, etc.). 

Python, Ruby: Generally used as scripting languages, but are extremely dynamic

 

As for software, each require different things:

Swift: Xcode (free, on Mac App Store)

Javascript, HTML, CSS: Any old text editor, but I reccomend Sublime Text (unlimited trial), BBEdit, or TextWrangler

C, C++: See Javascript

C#: Get a PC, use VisualStudio

Java: IntelliJ, NetBeans, or Eclipse 

Python, Ruby: Sublime Text (unlimited trial)

 

Many sites, such as code.tutsplus.com, udacity, treehouse and lynda.com offer comprehensive tutorials on these languages, but in the scope of what they can do (i.e., Javascript tutorials will be in the context of building websites).

 

Considering you have a Mac, I'd recommend learning Swift: https://developer.apple.com/swift/

It's really easy to use, and has a lot of use cases (iOS apps, OS X apps today, and developing Linux and future Windows support).

Apple is going to be releasing an iPad app that has walkthrough tutorials in Fall that cover each step of the process. Alternatively, they currently offer various video tutorials (such as this one, just released, or this one: a slightly older version), a comprehensive book, and more.  If first-party information isn't your thing, then there are many websites like Treehouse, Udacity, good ol' YouTube, iTunes U, and a few others that offer Swift tutorials bundled in with iOS app instruction. 

To answer what it requires, just one thing: Xcode (available free!).

It has a feature called "Playgrounds" that lets you start writing code right away, with no complicated setup or file management.  

But that's my biased advice  

 

[VulsaviiK]

14 hours ago, Scatoogle said:

I personally find Java to be better for fun because of how straight forward the syntax is. Don't get me wrong, C# is definitely more powerful especially with the .net implementation. Couple that with its very C like syntax, writing complex algorithms is much more enjoyable. I just keep net beans on my computers for quick and simple applications.

I hate how verbose Java is, that's one of my biggest gripes with it. I still use Eclipse for writing Java, but with a cool theme which makes it look like Sublime Text. Eclipse's C/C++ package... Not a fan, so I've also got Visual Studio 2015 Community, Atom, and Vim that I all use for different things

[Guest]

Java sucks because it claims to be OOP yet the language is littered with relics of structured, procedural programming. I agree that it should be avoided by novice programmers as it is a bad introduction to OOP; so much is done wrong even in the SDK.

 

I recommend this ebook for getting started:

http://interactivepython.org/runestone/static/thinkcspy/GeneralIntro/intro-TheWayoftheProgram.html

[Zulkkis]

"Learn Python The Hard Way", I've heard a lot of positive stuff about that one.

[TheDragonLord9191]

I recommend that you start with python. That is what i started with and it was easy to learn and get use to and it teaches you the basics and it will help you be able to go into more advanced languages later.

I recommend that you use https://www.codecademy.com/ to learn python. It also has some other languages that you might like to learn as well.

 

I recommend you use the IDE that comes with python when you download it that is all you will need when you start to code in python if you ever get more advanced i recommend https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/ it is a great IDE.

 

Hope this helped

[Dat Guy]

I recommend to use a language with a REPL, like Common Lisp or Python, for your first steps, because you see your results immediately.

 

Ex.: Practical Common Lisp -> http://www.gigamonkeys.com/book/