Where should I start?

[SirAngelo]

I want to learn to do some programming, but I have no clue on where should I start. What would be the basic programming language I should start learning? Should I start with Basic or Visual Basic? Any other language?
I would really appreciate some input on this matter. Also, any links to some good sites for beginners would be nice. Anyway, thanks for any help.

[Prince]

Originally posted by SirAngelo:
I want to learn to do some programming, but I have no clue on where should I start. What would be the basic programming language I should start learning? Should I start with Basic or Visual Basic? Any other language?
I would really appreciate some input on this matter. Also, any links to some good sites for beginners would be nice. Anyway, thanks for any help.

If you list your qualifications, it will help. i.e, what courses you are taking/taken. What knowledge you have.
"Basic" is probably the simplest language there is (comes with Dos5 and Dos6). Visual Basic is the most simple languages for windows. You can find lots of resource about VB (Visual Basic) on the net.
Goto library and pick up the book Learn VB in 7 days, by Sams Publishing. Will give u a start. IT is also avaialble in 21 days and maybe something else. Those are good for starter too.

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[SirAngelo]

Prince - Thanks for your quick response. To tell you the truth, I haven't had any type of training, or know any programming language at all, other than some html, but that's out of the subject. Anyway, I'm really interested in learning, so I figured I need to start with the basics (when I say basics, I mean really basics). The only problem I have is figuring out what languague should I start with. Like, should I start with Visual Basic and learn from there, or maybe Basic, to get a better grasp for programming. How about C or C++, or any other language. Well, like I said earlier, thanks for your help, and any other comments from you, or anybody else will be of great appreciation.

[Chronostormer]

Start with the program development routine, which will teach you how to develop a program before you even look to writing it in a programming code. After you get a good grasp of this, you can implement it in whatever programming language you need/want to use. It's important to be able to get the algorithm correct before coding it.

Try searching the net for this, you can also search for steps to learn programming in all sorts of languages.

EDIT: I have some nifty guides on the PDR but I'm afraid I'll get in trouble with copyrighting if I uploaded it

Also, the course I'm doing starts with C, before getting into the event-driven/object-orientated programming languages.

Oh, and by the way, CHANGE YOUR AVATAR!!!
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[This message has been edited by Chronostormer (edited April 17, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Chronostormer (edited April 17, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Chronostormer (edited April 17, 2001).]

[SirAngelo]

Chronostormer - Thanks for your advise. I think that's what I really needed to start on the right track. I will start searching the net for information and programs on PDR. About PDR, can you recommend any in particular? Would it be possible for you to ftp any programs that you may have? If possible, please let me know, and I'll give you my ftp address. If not, thanks anyway for all your help.

[Chronostormer]

The PDR is just a process of developing a program, but not actually a program itself. It varies from place to place, but the one I use consists of nine parts.

1. Anaylse the Problem, identifying the sub-problems.
2. Develop a VTOC (Visual Table of Contents), which is an outline of the solution.
3. Create a Data Table (consists of the inputs, outputs, and processes).
4. Write the Algorithm in Pseudocode.
5. Desk-check the Algorithm.
6. Create a Variables Table and Data Flow Table.
7. Convert the Algorithm into Code.
8. Compile, Run, and Test the program.
9. Update the Documentation.

The first 5 steps are the ones done before actually doing the coding, and can/should be learnt before learning a programming language. I can't find anything on the net about it yet, but maybe if you ask around you might come across it.

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I want to be a Cat Fish!

[SirAngelo]

Chronostormer - Please excuse my ignorance. I think I understand what PDR is now.
I know you mentioned of some guides you use to help you develop as a programmer. Would it be possible to get a copy of them? Thanks once again!

ps-> I'll change my avatar for the copies...

[Chronostormer]

Originally posted by SirAngelo:
Chronostormer - Please excuse my ignorance. I think I understand what PDR is now.
I know you mentioned of some guides you use to help you develop as a programmer. Would it be possible to get a copy of them? Thanks once again!

ps-> I'll change my avatar for the copies...

The guide's a bit too big to scan into my computer, but here are a few good links to learning programming:
http://www.seriousprogramming.com/ http://www.cprogramming.com/index.html

They should be enough. A lot of links and info here.




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I want to be a Cat Fish!

[SirAngelo]

Thank you very much!!!

[SonicWind]

Chronostormer, I have asked for your guides for a long time now and still I don't see them!

I want to get hold of them at the start of my July holidays, if you fail to meet my demand I will change my avatar to the same one you are using

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[This message has been edited by SonicWind (edited April 17, 2001).]

[Chronostormer]

Originally posted by SirAngelo:
Thank you very much!!!

You're welcome

Just remember that this pdr I talk about is just one standard used in the process of program development. The standard will vary from company to company. I use this one because that is what my institute asks me to use to do my projects, and because it's simple

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I want to be a Cat Fish!

[Chronostormer]

Originally posted by SonicWind:
Chronostormer, I have asked for your guides for a long time now and still I don't see them!

I want to get hold of them at the start of my July holidays, if you fail to meet my demand I will change my avatar to the same one you are using

This is all I have to say to you:

GO GET STUFFED j/k

If I don't need them at the time, no problem. But the thing is, I will be finding myself referring back to previous subjects to get info. Otherwise, that's fine.

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I want to be a Cat Fish!

[UCYoda]

Originally posted by SirAngelo:
Prince - Thanks for your quick response. To tell you the truth, I haven't had any type of training, or know any programming language at all, other than some html, but that's out of the subject. Anyway, I'm really interested in learning, so I figured I need to start with the basics (when I say basics, I mean really basics). The only problem I have is figuring out what languague should I start with. Like, should I start with Visual Basic and learn from there, or maybe Basic, to get a better grasp for programming. How about C or C++, or any other language. Well, like I said earlier, thanks for your help, and any other comments from you, or anybody else will be of great appreciation.

C/C++ isn't too hard until you get into more of the advanced stuff. It's a good first lang. (it was mine!) and once you learn it, it's not hard at all to move on to Java and other similar languages. There's a really good book that I use as a reference from O'Reilly Press (it's got a pencil drawing of a chipmunk on the cover) called, "How to Program C++". Awesome book for starting out. Really, anything from O'Reilly is good.

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