Programming? Options

[Maccabee]

I want to get into learning other programming languages.
Or atleast the basics.
First I have some questions...
Is there like a language to make like exe files or programs on a computer?
2nd what are some programming languages that arent harder to learn than html css?
3rd...What are some different programming languages and what do they do?
Here are some ive heard of but dont know how to start learning them or what they are or do!
perl, ruby on rails, actonscript and thats about it.
Appreciate the help!

[Maccabee]

Ive heard of c++ a lot! What does it do?
Is it like computer programs?

[heyo-captain-jac...]

.exe files have to be compiled from files written in a other languages, like C++ files.

C++ and Lua are the easiest to learn, but Lua isn't going to get you very far. C++ will get you everywhere.

You can do nearly anything with most languages, but some things are easier with certain languages. For example: A lot of games use Lua.

Is there a certain thing you want to start programming?

[Maccabee]

Not really...I just want to learn another language.
I started looking at some tutorials but they dont really treat you like a noob.
Are there some popular c++ tutorial sites that are for COMPLETE beginners?

[heyo-captain-jac...]

http://cplus.about.com/od/introductiontopr...ppbeginners.htm looks pretty good.

http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html is where I learned.

[Maccabee]

Introductory books they sell at bookstores.

I usually prefer online tutorials. Do you find it easier in books?
Id like to try using a book. Cause then I will have to type everything and not be tempted to copy/paste.

http://cplus.about.com/od/introductiontopr...ppbeginners.htm looks pretty good.

http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html is where I learned.

I think ill start with the first one.

[Maccabee]

How about C++ for dummies? I have never read a for dummies book. are they good?

[heyo-captain-jac...]

I've read one, it had some good information in it. It's all presented in an easy to learn way.

[shanaynay]

Perl is very easy, but it's a scripting language, not something you compile. I hate Java with a passion, and C++ and C# I herd weren't that hard.

[Insurmountable]

VB script is easy to learn once you have a good grasp of html and css.

Although it really doesn't sound like you know what you want to learn, if you want to actually learn programming. Then get Ruby, its one of the things I suggest to those first starting out and its super easy.

[Maccabee]

But I dont know what these things are!
Is ruby website stuff? or computer software stuff?
And ditto for vb script?

[illriginal]

I want to get into learning other programming languages.
Or atleast the basics.
First I have some questions...
Is there like a language to make like exe files or programs on a computer?
2nd what are some programming languages that arent harder to learn than html css?
3rd...What are some different programming languages and what do they do?
Here are some ive heard of but dont know how to start learning them or what they are or do!
perl, ruby on rails, actonscript and thats about it.
Appreciate the help!

Eh... I honestly recommend you learn about computers in general first.

[Maccabee]

Eh... I honestly recommend you learn about computers in general first.

I know html, css, windows, linux, mac os x.
I know computers. I just want to learn some new languages.

[illriginal]

Ah forgive me, I read one of your posts in another thread and totally assumed something completely different, my bad.

[Insurmountable]

VB - http://www.w3schools.com/Vbscript/default.asp
Pretty simple, you learn it in college if you go for web development or well most information technology associates.

Ruby - http://rubyonrails.org/

Learn some Java, its not that hard to learn and it comes in handy.

&seriously, you could have just used google to find these things. If you want to pursue a job later in web design or something then go look at job listings and see the requirements and then base what you should learn next from them.


If you buy books to learn from when you get to the section look for books from FriendsOf, their books are really good in my opinion. Typically you see their logo on the bottom of the spine of the book or the on the front bottom left corner.

[emberfly]

^ java is rocket science x 2 o_o

[Insurmountable]

well sit in a class for a while learning about it for a few hours, it doesn't seem that hard.

[heyo-captain-jac...]

Ah forgive me, I read one of your posts in another thread and totally assumed something completely different, my bad.

He's just clueless when it comes to hardware. He knows the software fairly well.

^ java is rocket science x 2 o_o

No, it's toaster science.

[Maccabee]

9001: Im not clueless about anything really.
And if by hardware you mean like computer components I don't know much but that means I know alot more than most americans.
So i think ive come to the conclusion I need to learn C++.
And figure out what a compiler is and stuff.
Maybe ill learn c++ on my linux computer since im pretty sure other os's come with that.

[Maccabee]

Whats a good compiler for C++?
And do I also need to download a compiler if I'm using linux?

[Insurmountable]

I know you want to learn programming, but what for exactly?

If you only know css and html why not look in to PHP? I don't know if you own a site but its nice to know if you do own one and to use it.

And if you want to learn c++ from others I've heard this book is nice to start with:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Accelerat...01703535/?itm=1

[Insurmountable]

Whats a good compiler for C++?
And do I also need to download a compiler if I'm using linux?

http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/2819

why not just search google.

[Maccabee]

I know php. But I think ill learn more of it.
And cause there are millions of compilers.
C++ is pretty confusing to me.

[mipadi]

I'm going to go against the grain and advise you to steer clear of C++. As a language, it really sucks, actually, and it's a pain in the ass to use well. Moreover, it's a pain in the ass to use as a learning language, because it has so many pitfalls. If you want something that's like C++ and basically fulfills the same goals, but is not painful to use, I'd suggest Java.

However, as a starting language, I highly recommend Python. It's easy to learn, and it allows you to ease your way from simple concepts to more advanced concepts at your own pace. It also doesn't require an explicit compilation step, so it's easy to change programs "on the fly" in order to try new things, or just see what difference a simple change makes in a program. It also has a really nice interactive interpreter, which means you can just fire up the interpreter and start entering little programs to see what they do -- and get immediate feedback. Finally, you can write desktop or web applications in Python easily. My own website is, in fact, written in Python.

Ruby is also a pretty decent starting language, for many of the same reasons as Python. I think Ruby has a slightly higher learning curve than Python, but it's still easier to understand than C++.

In the end, though, the biggest reason to choose Java, Python, or Ruby over C++ is because they have more creative, bad-ass names.

[dispn0ygonekrazy]

I tried self teaching myself c++ hated it, I like ruby though its easier.

[Maccabee]

I'm going to go against the grain and advise you to steer clear of C++. As a language, it really sucks, actually, and it's a pain in the ass to use well. Moreover, it's a pain in the ass to use as a learning language, because it has so many pitfalls. If you want something that's like C++ and basically fulfills the same goals, but is not painful to use, I'd suggest Java.

However, as a starting language, I highly recommend Python. It's easy to learn, and it allows you to ease your way from simple concepts to more advanced concepts at your own pace. It also doesn't require an explicit compilation step, so it's easy to change programs "on the fly" in order to try new things, or just see what difference a simple change makes in a program. It also has a really nice interactive interpreter, which means you can just fire up the interpreter and start entering little programs to see what they do -- and get immediate feedback. Finally, you can write desktop or web applications in Python easily. My own website is, in fact, written in Python.

Ruby is also a pretty decent starting language, for many of the same reasons as Python. I think Ruby has a slightly higher learning curve than Python, but it's still easier to understand than C++.

In the end, though, the biggest reason to choose Java, Python, or Ruby over C++ is because they have more creative, bad-ass names.

Cool, then I think i will steer clear of C++ cause i tried to start learning but I got lost at the compilers...
here I come google!
O! So python is like a program? You cant just learn it and type it up in notepad like html/css? Sounds cool. Ill prob start learning next weekend.

[illriginal]

Once you're done learning programming there's one thing I advise you to get into... and you won't regret it if you want to get into a Computer career.

L.A.M.P.

Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. This is godly for a Web Server Administrator. Web Hosting companies will pay top dollar for your services if you have mastered L.A.M.P.

[Maccabee]

I know linux, I dont know apache or mysql and I know php.
Im wondering when we talk about "knowing" these things do you mean just like understanding or being fluent?
Becuase I can just sit and type html or css and I can type the basics of php like using includes, and strings and variebles but im not fluent becauses its a much larger language. So when you talk about knowing apache do you mean...understanding and getting the idea? Or that and knowing the basics or being fluent.
Cause it seems with much larger languages there are often things that you dont neccesarily have to do manually.

[Maccabee]

...I have no clue.
I know linux as an operating system.
Which is the most important part right?
Atleast Im familiar so I can work in any environment.

[illriginal]

I know linux, I dont know apache or mysql and I know php.
Im wondering when we talk about "knowing" these things do you mean just like understanding or being fluent?
Becuase I can just sit and type html or css and I can type the basics of php like using includes, and strings and variebles but im not fluent becauses its a much larger language. So when you talk about knowing apache do you mean...understanding and getting the idea? Or that and knowing the basics or being fluent.
Cause it seems with much larger languages there are often things that you dont neccesarily have to do manually.

Literally being fully knowledgeable in all aspects of it. If you only know the basics and you get into a company, they might require that you know things off hand that you might not know, which wouldn't be good on your part, and they might just let you go.

But there's also other companies who will hire you as long as you know the basics and they would help you progress. If you're fully knowledgeable, they'd be willing to pay top dollar after your "trial period" which could be anywhere from 15 days to 6 months.

I'm pretty well rounded in computers and I only deal with contract work. I always like knowing what exactly it is that I'm getting myself involved with and what exact requirements they need from me during the interview before stepping into their building(s). There's been a couple times where their position was titled one thing and their requirements were completely for a whole other thing.

Nothing is worse than traveling across the country only to go to an interview to find out that the open position was unrelated to the title of the position and wasting flyer miles. So I always request an over-the-phone interview first then decide to go there and meet them personally.

Anyways, IMO, when it comes to computers... never half ass your education the more you know the more valuable you are to any company.

[Maccabee]

Hmm.. One thing I was wondering is... when will I ever need to use a programming language like python? Html/css make websites, php make websites better, pythin does what? Is it for making programs and games? I understand it I guess its just that if I wanted to make a game it would take a lot longer and use a lot more knowledge than it would to make a website.

[mipadi]

Hmm.. One thing I was wondering is... when will I ever need to use a programming language like python? Html/css make websites, php make websites better, pythin does what? Is it for making programs and games? I understand it I guess its just that if I wanted to make a game it would take a lot longer and use a lot more knowledge than it would to make a website.

You can write just about anything in Python (or similar languages), from web applications to desktop applications.

[hi-C]

HTML, CSS, and etc are not programming languages, FYI. If you can't use it to write a program then it's not a programming language.