367 replies to this topic

[jack_canada]

VB

[bwx]

Best way to find out is to try for yourself; each person will have a different opinion on what's easy and what's hard. When you try a language you won't lose anything either; time is never wasted if you're learning something. Also what seems to be confusing to many is that once you start to use a language, you should always stick to it. This is completely untrue; programming languages are only tools used in writing programs, nothing more, nothing less. Whichever language is appropriate for the task, you should be able to choose it selectively based on your experience and the strengths of the language. For example if you're looking to extract data from a website, or do heavy string manipulation, C++ wouldn't be the smartest choice compared to Perl.

That is my opinion anyway.

bwx

[parimal_kumar]

If you want to start with VB then get yourself a copy of VB 6.0 - may still be available under Microsoft's Student License (assuming you qualify). Other than that you'll have to acquire it elsewhere - I am sure there are plenty of people willing to sell licenses for VB 6.0 as they no longer need it since they have .NET


Parimal

[Ryan V]

If you watch five movies on programming at http://msdn.microsof...ic/atthemovies/ and offer feedback, they will send you a copy of Visual Basic.Net Standard. Cheapest and Easiest Way

Edited by Ryan92, 19 May 2004 - 22:59.

[eversor]

tcl/tk gives you quick results and gui...

But what regards a "real" programming language i would also say vb

[Monkeh]

Definitely VB, even I understand it .

[serox]

I will not repeat the "choose one for you" comment but my vote of personal choice goes to either C# or VB. Even though I learned C++ first

[GreenSkid]

Used to be BASIC
Used to be Pascal
.
.
.
Now C#

[Leo Natan]

I'd say VB...

[gaviaal]

Definitly Python.

[Ivan Kot]

Thanx people, some how the topic changed as Schmoove started chatting about some other stuff didnt answer my question, but i think visual basic and pascal get a lot of votes

Can't agree with you...I think pascal is kinda old and that's why it is not so popular as vb...

[UKer]

I'de say it depends what you want to do. If you want to move onto more advanced languages in the future I'de say Java (or C# if you're willing to shell out for VS.net) is a good start, they teach that at my uni to people who have no programming experience and while it's not easy it does allow for easy migration to C/C++ and even makes learning scripting languages like PHP easier as the syntax is the same (ASP on the other hand uses VB style syntax), plus the OO elements and automatic memory management make it a good choice for beginners with a will to learn. The fact that apps can be used on any platform also make it a good way to be sure your apps work for everyone, whether PC, Mac or Unix. VB is good if you just want to scratch the surface of programming, and aren't interested in taking it much further, as its syntax is very easy to understand, although learning anything more advanced is quite a step (although not impossible). Pascal is becomming less common, and in my experience isn't used much in commercial environments.

I'de recommend the Java and Netbeans combo (http://java.sun.com/...d-netbeans.html) as this means you get a free IDE too.

[ElectronicRealm]

vb, seems to be a hell of a lot tutorials and knowledge base (vbcode.com) to teach you to do anything, i've made 4 or 5 programs with it, with no prior training. only other language i've used is c++ but i only installed that because it came free with a cd and i wondered what it was :\

[adam.sproul]

I would say VB.

[Hosiah]

I concur with those who say BASIC is the easiest to learn, BUT...

It is true what they say about Basic being a spoiler for learning "stronger" languages later on. I speak from experience, having learned BASIC in grade school in the 80's, discovering Qbasic in the 90's and falling in love with it as a hobbyist programmer, and then getting so hooked on programming that I am now *trying* to master C++.

My "learning-curve" is now shaped like a 90-degree angle!

The thing I see clearly now, is that BASIC was never a real language, not like C++ is. In just scratching the surface of C++, I have already out-classed anything I ever wrote in QBasic, with about 3/4 of the language left to explore!
OK, I did acomplish a few cute little games in QB4.5 that I'm not quite ready to tackle in C++, but it's taken me this long just to get to where I'm confident that I'll eventually be able to "do it all". I can easily see where you could write a BASIC compiler in C++, no problem, but I could never imagine a C++ compiler written in BASIC! (Maybe Visual Basic....)

So, anyway, if you just want something to play with, Basic could work. But, take it from one who's been there, if you want to *really* program, it's much easier in the long run to learn the right language the first time!

JMHO...

Hosiah