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Where did you learn to code?Follow
this question goes out to all the programmers out there, where did you learn to code? Im interested in learning and I want to know what language I should learn first, and if I should use an online tutorial or something.
Thanks a lot, good info, I think Ill be making a trip to the bookstore today 
I got my start writing on those old , pre-hard disk Apples. When you started up one of those monochrome green monsters without a floppy disk in the drive they just defaulted to a crude form of basic. I just started typing up funny little ascii screensavers when I was bored at school, and then made small rpg/adventure games and then other kids would come along and play them. I learned more commands as I went. From there I learned assembly language, then C, then C++. After learning Java I tried to learn as many new languages as I could.
The biggest part of learning to code is learning which languages are best for what types of projects.
BASIC was originally created as a teaching language. It isn't worth much else (although many companies, and the government, use it because it is simple and cheap to train people on) but it is great for learning the fundamental constructs of programming. Really though, any introductory level book in any language nowadays will cover those fundamentals.
Low-level languages (assembly language) are for masochists and engineers. They are really only used in situations where you really need to squeeze every ounce of efficiency you can from a small bit of code.
Mid-level languages are the most powerful, but generally have a higher learning curve, strict syntax rules, and unforgiving errors.
To learn something more useful quickly and make it more fun, you might want to start with a modern high-level language. I picked up Perl:Black Book, and really wish someone had given that to me when I first started. Everything is explained simply and thoroughly, and it doesn't have that drab monotony characteristic that any textbook might.
Alternatively I'd say Java is another good place to start. Java is a mid-level language, but is extremely well documented online and gets you into Object-Oriented programming fairly smoothly. If you know Java, learning C++ will be easier. Vice versa as well, but Java is easier to learn without an instructor I would think.
Perl and Java get my vote.
The biggest part of learning to code is learning which languages are best for what types of projects.
BASIC was originally created as a teaching language. It isn't worth much else (although many companies, and the government, use it because it is simple and cheap to train people on) but it is great for learning the fundamental constructs of programming. Really though, any introductory level book in any language nowadays will cover those fundamentals.
Low-level languages (assembly language) are for masochists and engineers. They are really only used in situations where you really need to squeeze every ounce of efficiency you can from a small bit of code.
Mid-level languages are the most powerful, but generally have a higher learning curve, strict syntax rules, and unforgiving errors.
To learn something more useful quickly and make it more fun, you might want to start with a modern high-level language. I picked up Perl:Black Book, and really wish someone had given that to me when I first started. Everything is explained simply and thoroughly, and it doesn't have that drab monotony characteristic that any textbook might.
Alternatively I'd say Java is another good place to start. Java is a mid-level language, but is extremely well documented online and gets you into Object-Oriented programming fairly smoothly. If you know Java, learning C++ will be easier. Vice versa as well, but Java is easier to learn without an instructor I would think.
Perl and Java get my vote.
wow, way more in-depth info than I was expecting. I didnt go to the bookstore today, so when I go tomorrow Ill get the Perl book too. Also, what does file parsing mean?
for those who learn better by example,
parsing is taking
something23thatlooks42likethis
and turning it into
something
that
looks
like
this
parsing is taking
something23thatlooks42likethis
and turning it into
something
that
looks
like
this
a nice site to start with.
http://www.w3schools.com/
http://www.w3schools.com/
If you wanna jump into programming, start with something basic to learn the bascis.
Programs basically consist of funtions, sub routines and loops, knowing HOW and WHEN to use a function or sub-routine, of WHICH looping method to use is the core of programming, once you know that, you can easily switch between different languages, as
As a starter, most would recommed "C" as a starter.
Personally I highly recommend TURBO PASCAL 7
Pascal is an all round all inclusive programming evironment which is small and fast enough to use on even a "scrap" computer (like a old K6-MMX). The reason I recommed it is becuase a)it works(no problems with installation or program conflicts and such) and more importantly b) it has a help library second to none, if you want to use a new commmand or want to find out what went wrong, the help library will always have a simple and easy to undestand answer.
It is a world apart from the more widly used OOP (Object orientated Programming) envirnoments, like VB, where to create a program you basically have to drag and drop. Altough very basic it will teach you how to use loops, use functions and sub-routines, write picture perfect code (you are not allowed to write sloppy code, unlike Html or VB), using variables and arrays, and even using text based data files for data storage.
It fact it will teach you the what and whys of almost everthing you need to know to become a competent programmer.
once you have mastered Pascal, you can easily start to use other languages (like VB.NET) which are a step up from Pascal, and will allow you to apply the techniques learnt using Pascal to create more complex interactive programs.
Find an online tutorial to learn, I find most books are basically code libraries which say "to do x use y like example z", whereas a good tutorail will teach and test you and give you example of what to program after learning a new technique.
Programs basically consist of funtions, sub routines and loops, knowing HOW and WHEN to use a function or sub-routine, of WHICH looping method to use is the core of programming, once you know that, you can easily switch between different languages, as
As a starter, most would recommed "C" as a starter.
Personally I highly recommend TURBO PASCAL 7
Pascal is an all round all inclusive programming evironment which is small and fast enough to use on even a "scrap" computer (like a old K6-MMX). The reason I recommed it is becuase a)it works(no problems with installation or program conflicts and such) and more importantly b) it has a help library second to none, if you want to use a new commmand or want to find out what went wrong, the help library will always have a simple and easy to undestand answer.
It is a world apart from the more widly used OOP (Object orientated Programming) envirnoments, like VB, where to create a program you basically have to drag and drop. Altough very basic it will teach you how to use loops, use functions and sub-routines, write picture perfect code (you are not allowed to write sloppy code, unlike Html or VB), using variables and arrays, and even using text based data files for data storage.
It fact it will teach you the what and whys of almost everthing you need to know to become a competent programmer.
once you have mastered Pascal, you can easily start to use other languages (like VB.NET) which are a step up from Pascal, and will allow you to apply the techniques learnt using Pascal to create more complex interactive programs.
Find an online tutorial to learn, I find most books are basically code libraries which say "to do x use y like example z", whereas a good tutorail will teach and test you and give you example of what to program after learning a new technique.
Are we speaking of web design coding or program coding? Be a bit more clearer next time ;)
Well for the web stuff I learned it when I started admining bbs systems well over 5 years ago. Started off with perl and now am trying my hand at this php stuff and xhtml with vBulletin.
For the C I use very rarely is only known a bit of but that's because I do code for a text based mud that uses LPC (Which is a variant of C). Those are the only ways I learned how to code and I never used a book. Best way is to learn by doing.
Well for the web stuff I learned it when I started admining bbs systems well over 5 years ago. Started off with perl and now am trying my hand at this php stuff and xhtml with vBulletin.
For the C I use very rarely is only known a bit of but that's because I do code for a text based mud that uses LPC (Which is a variant of C). Those are the only ways I learned how to code and I never used a book. Best way is to learn by doing.
Extension of previous post:
Even if web designing, Turbo Pascal7 would be a great place to start, as this is bascially the same as C, only you don;t need a separate compiler or debugger, its all in one. Almost all languagss are similiar, however people do like to use a variety.
IMO, the only language after Pascal that you will ever need for creating you own programs or websites are VisualBasic.NET, asp.NET (not really a lanuage, just a container for vb.NET) and a bit of HTML know how (not really a "proper" language).
If you plan to modify other people programs, games and such then it is very likly you will need a deep understanding of a variety of languages.
For the web, some people do prefer to go with php/java/javascript/mysql. IMO dont bother unless youreally need to. They are all very old technologies and .NET is far superior, in terms of ease of programming and speed.
This was basically a test deon 10 times on a local server under the same conditions.
As you can see, the speed is fricking amazing
At work I have even re-named all our website to aspx (.NET) and we have seen a mojor increase in speed as well as comments from users about the great speed
Even if web designing, Turbo Pascal7 would be a great place to start, as this is bascially the same as C, only you don;t need a separate compiler or debugger, its all in one. Almost all languagss are similiar, however people do like to use a variety.
IMO, the only language after Pascal that you will ever need for creating you own programs or websites are VisualBasic.NET, asp.NET (not really a lanuage, just a container for vb.NET) and a bit of HTML know how (not really a "proper" language).
If you plan to modify other people programs, games and such then it is very likly you will need a deep understanding of a variety of languages.
For the web, some people do prefer to go with php/java/javascript/mysql. IMO dont bother unless youreally need to. They are all very old technologies and .NET is far superior, in terms of ease of programming and speed.
Start End Time Taken
ASP.NET@ 80 Mil 10.000 10.218 0.218
ASP.NET@ 800 Mil 56.546 58.796 2.250
ASP.NET@ 1.6Billion 44.890 49.671 4.781
PHP @ 8 Million N/A 4.561
This was basically a test deon 10 times on a local server under the same conditions.
As you can see, the speed is fricking amazing
At work I have even re-named all our website to aspx (.NET) and we have seen a mojor increase in speed as well as comments from users about the great speed
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