Where to begin ?

[Edgerobber]

A simple enough question - what is a good way to get into programming ?

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I AM the Edgerobber -
That's nice isn't it
2nd order OC knight

[Snoop Dogg]

Same here and good question!

To help us out a little more which language to start out with and what books and websites.

[KiD_BaroN]

Visual Basic, would probably be the best place to start, but you have to add what kind of programing you have in mind? anything with the www, or just programming like windows apps. Visual Basic 6.0 and a good dummies book is a very good place to start if you are intrested in the latter

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Pentium 3 550@900mhz
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Intel D815EEAAL i815E w/ PCI Audio and LAN
256mb CAS-2
IBM 22.3 GB 9000RPM drive
Yamaha YST-M10 speakers
Cyclone II case
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[homerj31]

If you are not in college yet and you want to get a BS in computer science or engineering I will start learning Java, and or C. I think Java is a good languege to start working on, it is easy to find a compiler and you can make applets that anybody on the web can view. With C you will have to "buy" a compiler. If you learn java, you will have to problem learning C because they are both object-orianted programming langauges.

I disagree with the getting dummies for anything, especially for programming. I have teach yourself VB in 24 hours (from SAMS) and i don't like it. I learned java in college, and i did enjoy the books. The books i used DID NOT teach you a language, but told me the basics of programming using JAVA(which makes you learn java), which is the best way to go.

I consider myself a knowledable Java programmer, so any more question let me know

trying to help
homerj31
yes i know i can't speeell

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HP CD-RW 4x4x28
IO-magic dvd 8x
20Gig maxtor HD
Ati all in one 16MB(the rage 128,AGP)

[Snoop Dogg]

See I knew it Visual Basic 6 must rule cuz I was thinking that was the easiest to start out with and also the one I am most hyped up to learn.

[Klashe]

Originally posted by Edgerobber:
A simple enough question - what is a good way to get into programming ?

Visual Basic if you have ABSOLUTELY NO programming experience. If you have even the slightest bit, I'd go for Java. It will give you a good introduction into object oriented design.

I don't know too much about the dummies books but they are okay if you want simple examples . If you want something more advanced, Deitel And Deitel books are probably the best. It's what they use in college and they are very thorough.

Some good java sites:
http://javaboutique.internet.com/ http://java.sun.org


Good Luck!

[Snoop Dogg]

Woohoo just downloaded Microsoft Visual Basic 6 today....only 387MB file...opps I mean bought

[Edgerobber]

Well I've done a bit of HTML and Jscript and I'm in my 3rd year of a Chemistry course, so I think the message I'm getting is "start with Java"

------------------
I AM the Edgerobber -
That's nice isn't it
2nd order OC knight

[Snoop Dogg]

1 more question...is it true you need math skills to become a good programmer?

[cheapy]

Originally posted by Snoop Dogg:
1 more question...is it true you need math skills to become a good programmer?

IMHO I wouldn't have said so, although I am good at Maths, so I may find things easy that people who hadn't done maths wouldn't.

A

[Snoop Dogg]

Okay cool thanx...BTW with all these new internet slangs what does IMHO mean?

[Angelus]

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

[Pinky]

I'd say that if you plan on getting into a lot of programming, especially if you want to do something like games, good math skills are a must. Math and computer science go hand in hand, that's why schools usually require certain math classes for CS majors. In fact, becoming a CS major will often lead to a minor in math, intentionally or not.

[This message has been edited by Pinky (edited January 01, 2001).]

[Klashe]

Originally posted by Snoop Dogg:
1 more question...is it true you need math skills to become a good programmer?

I don't think that you need good math skills to be a programmer. While it helps, it's not absolutely necessary.
Programming takes a certain mindset. You have to think logically and , sometimes, put yourself in the computer's ...shoes. It takes a bit to get used to it, but it does come eventually.

[Snoop Dogg]

K thanx man still learning or trying to learn all the internet acronyms

I don't see how Math skills could help or be involved since I am not a programmer...yet. But I am willing to spend hours on writing code that is what I have had wet dreams about for almost 2 years now! I can hardly wait since I now got Microsoft Visual Basic 6 compiler I am just itching to find a book to kick me off in the right direction.