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Learning a programming language


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Dear Friends,

I have been using computers for the last 10 years. I am being forced to a change of careers pretty soon. I would like to learn how to program. BUt I don't know where to begin. I wanna learn a language (Something HOT on the market today) that I can use to secure a job. Please advise as to where to start.

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Go to school and learn CS concepts. Programming isn't really about languages as much as it is about solving problems. Languages are a means to end. Actually, I take that back. Languages are one of many tools used as a means to an end.

That said, problem solving skill are much more important that mastering a syntax.

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But I really wanna learn to code. Should I start with something like C , C++ , Java, C ##.. Basic, Visual Basic..

In Other words, what the language in which I can invest and not waste time?

ThanX

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If you wan't a programming job than Java is a must. I like to learn how things are done in a low level so I would recommend you learn C before C++. It will give you a better understanding of how C++ works.

EDIT

If you're in the windows thing than C# and the .NET framework is a must but I would start like this: C, C++, Java, and than you decide.

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C or C++ to learn procedural practices, then any OO language, including C++, Objective C, Java, C#, etc, to learn OO principles. I suggest sticking with C-like syntaxes for familiarity purposes. It becomes almost trivial to move from one language to the next for simplistic projects. The more complex features of a language(templates, iterators, delegates, etc) will be smaller hurdles as you get more familiar with the core syntaxes.

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Well what kind of applications would you like to write ? With Java you can write applications for the web using JSP, servlets, etc, however it has an extremely hard to learn UI classes (SWING and AWT) . I suggest starting off with Java or C++, OO programming is much easier than procedural languages. Or you can start off with VB, which is very simple. ( If you are really crazy you can always learn assembly. ;) )

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I suggest you start with Perl (use strict) or C. From there, you can easily pick up other languages. Just keep in mind that Perl isn't very strict by nature, unlike most real programming languages. There is no strong datatyping, and you don't need to do any garbage collecting. But seriously, if you know algebra, and enough about computers, go learn C. Perl is very useful, but not marketable.

If you are really trying to become marketable, go for Java or C++. Even though both are terrible, in my opinon. Also, Objective-C is starting to catch on because of MacOS X/Cocoa so you might look into that. But ObjC, as most object oriented languages, have a steep learning curve.

When all is said and done, go grab "Learning Perl" by O'Reilly. It's a good introduction to programming and the sort. :D

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Well what kind of applications would you like to write ? With Java you can write applications for the web using JSP, servlets, etc, however it has an extremely hard to learn UI classes (SWING and AWT) . I suggest starting off with Java or C++, OO programming is much easier than procedural languages. Or you can start off with VB, which is very simple. ( If you are really crazy you can always learn assembly. ;) )

assembly is a B*TCH, but it was fun to learn. If he doesnt know how which programming langauge to use and currently doesnt know one, then he would have to be way off his rocker to even consider assembly

:laugh::laugh:

STV

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Learn programming concepts, such as general algorithms. Java is a good language because it forces you to write good code, and believe me when I say that Java WILL be everywhere in a few years, so learn it if you can. Oh, and do not learn x86 assembly, it will only give you headaches and not a job.

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Most colleges CMPS programs teach JAVA, as that is where the market is heading right now. Since you are switching jobs, you'll most likely want to be making yourself more marketable. So I suggest JAVA.

On a side note, O'Reilly, For Dummies, and Sam's 24 hours all have excellent literature on introducing yourself to programming. The price is a bit steep, but if it's for your job, 20-40 bones is not all that bad.

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Learn programming concepts, such as general algorithms. Java is a good language because it forces you to write good code, and believe me when I say that Java WILL be everywhere in a few years, so learn it if you can. Oh, and do not learn x86 assembly, it will only give you headaches and not a job.

Are you serious about this? I'm just asking!.

If SUN keeps going nuts and Java will not get Open Sources.

SUN will loose over .NET in the long run. Why .NET and not C#? well because

the equivalent to Java is .NET and not C#.

With OpenSource .NET implementations going full speed and many new kids hopping onto the .NET bandwagon.

Java will loose. SUN is a great company. But they are somewhat confusing about their moves.

I very much doubt that Java will be everywhere. Where are all those Operating systems running on Java?

( yes I know there is one )

But I hadly believe that Java will be everywhere.

And not learning x86 assembly is not really that cool to say!

knowing assembly helps A LOT. It helps you understand coding at the very basis.

You can write crappy programms with Java. And you can write less crappy programms with Java, if you know how

the whole stuff is going to end up. [Yes I know about ByteCode but that IS going to become machinecode at a certain point, not?]

Not that I'm saying Java is bad or so. But it won't take over the world. And it especially not will when there is something like .NET

wich at a certain point can even host Java. (IKVM)

kindest regards,

Moritz "neofeed" Angermann

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Python. It's great and a lot better than hunting around for a copy of QBASIC for those who are curious about programming and simply want to get their feet wet.

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definitely C#, trust me, i'm working with several industry leaders right now and C# is the way to go. it will definitely be around for a while...

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Here's some advice. A lot of the blue-collar programming is becomming less attractive. Firstly, the wages are lower and secondly, they're moving that all to india. But If you still want to learn something quick i suggest learning java and php.

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