wants to learn coding/programming

[penfold1992]

so yea, i want to start getting into learning coding and programming. i have tonnes of spare time on my hand and its time to put it into some sort of use so heres my attempt lol.
im not sure whats best to start with or what i should be looking into or what but never the less...
c++ seems like a solid coding language that is most commonly used today however ive heard its not very beginner friendly...
java seems like another good language with android and apps coding from java primarily.

there are others such as c#,python,html and among others but im not really sure whats the best to start with or how to even go about starting to learn. i must admit though, id probably be more intrested in coding something like patches/hotfixes/gui mods or even something like minecraft mods if thats an easy starting point!

i guess im looking for ideas and maybe some hint as to where i should start or prehaps someone here is a coder that could suggest things or could even help tutor with questions i may have.

thanks in advanced from a very bored but keen learner lol

[Avalanche]

If you want to learn C++, start with basic C then go to C++. What do you want to code? Websites? Programs? Apps? It all depends on what you want to do.

Your best bet is to pick up some books and guides and start from there. There are a LOT of books on programming of all languages.

[Gaigemasta]

Learn python! It's a powerful and expandable language. Though the structure is a lot like C (which it is programmed in C) it's a language the makes sense. It's easy to learn, open source like none other, great community, and great guides and cookbooks to toy around with.


Edit:

Minecraft modding usually centers around Java and Python

[Stress]

More important than knowing a specific programming language, or knowing "how to do X or Y", is to understand the fundamentals of Programming. I would strongly advise against diving right into things like Minecraft Mods or trying to design patches/gui mods straight away. You need to have a good grasp of what is going on underneath, in order to be a proficient programmer. C++ is a good choice for a beginner, in my opinion. It's not as friendly as C# or Python in the sense that you won't see programs with buttons, menus and dialogs at first. However, I believe you need a good low-level foundation, otherwise you can't do anything properly. Look for beginner video tutorials, then try to solve simple (mathematical, if possible) problems in C++, like, for example, "Find the integer with the highest number of distinct divisors in a given range." Move on to data structures. Learn how to use arrays and pointers. Read about binary trees, hash tables, linked lists, stacks, queues. If you decide on C++, you should also become familiar with STL. Video tutorial series should cover all of these. The next step would be to study the Object-Oriented programming paradigm (OOP), as opposed to the sequential one you've gotten used to. Work with Classes in C++. Learn to organize your code, establish sane models for your code and implement them in modular, ordered fashion. From here on, if you've done everything well, you can move on to anything you like, really. C# will be very easy to learn, so will Java, as you will already be familiar with OOP.

IMHO, to be a good programmer, you need to start very low and be very, very patient. Programming is difficult, time-consuming and - initially - not very rewarding. If you decide to take this seriously, message me on SRF whenever you have a question or whenever you need help. Remember to always think about your problems extensively before looking for an answer online or asking someone about it. It's much more rewarding to come to the result yourself, and to see that your code actually does what it's supposed to do.

If you're using Windows, download Microsoft Visual Studio Express. It has all the tools you need to compile and run your programs. You can code in any language you like using VS, C, C++, C#, etc. For Java, download Eclipse or NetBeans. If you're on any *NIX system (Linux, OS X, Solaris, BSD, etc.), you can compile C/C++ code with GCC, and packets for compiling and running Java are available from Sun's website. C# doesn't run on anything other than Windows, though, so keep that in mind.

If there's anything else you'd like to know, ask me, here or through PM. Good luck!

[NuclearSilo]

C#. It's a merge between C++ and Java.
If you concerns more about GUI, take C#.NET
If you concerns more about the mechanism of the program, dealing with memory, take C++.NET
PHP is for website

[penfold1992]

thanks for the replies, what i ment by my previous post about things like minecraft mods is the same as what people do with pk2 editting here... having a base which starts simple and is highly rewarding is such a good step into coding.
changing a line in a text file ment i could appear to have an sox weapon!!!
having someone elses code and then tweaking things is what i thought might be a good idea seeing as you start with a working product already and trying to achieve a slightly different result... things can be slowly increased until you get further but you always can visually see your improvement as you go.

sometimes coding can be a lot of code and a lot of time yet your finish result just fails and doesnt work at all and errors out... this is where not just me but most people are likely to just give up. with no formal training i feel this is likely to happen... more so in c++ or c# to be honest.
python does seem like a good starting point, so does c# but i understand 100% why stress recommends c++.
as for what coding im into doing, really depends on the result... website code doesnt intrest me as much because im not an artist as such...

[ShiningBow]

Well I am taking a very beginner computer science course (like totally beginner lol) and we started with QBasic... Its old but its very simple and perfect to learn the functions and stuff then we moved on to Visual Basic. Visual Basic is also easy and simple so I think it would be best for you to start off with Visual Basic.

Not to hijack the thread but for a project I have to make my own program in Visual basic... anyone got any ideas (they have to be relatively simple, but not super simple either lol)

[penfold1992]

... make ur own thread... this is mine!

vb scripting, i made a complex excel macro i think that uses vb scripting? (cant remember)
so i would probably do that...

[Squirt]

That was pretty rude penfold. Pretty sure its more efficient to just ask in one thread rathe than create another one

[penfold1992]

That was pretty rude penfold. Pretty sure its more efficient to just ask in one thread rathe than create another one

it was a joke...

[NuclearSilo]

If you want to make macro -> Autoit
If you want pk2 edit, hack, bot stuffs like Drew Benton -> C++.NET

[Krevidy]

Start easy, begin with Java.

[penfold1992]

everyone recommends everything QQ

c++ python java and c# been recommended xD

[Avalanche]

Yeah all this stuff is recommended but no way in hell will you learn all these languages with "tonnes of spare time". People who study CS, CE, SIS, all takes 2-4 years of schooling to learn and understand these languages. The best you can do for now is learn the basic level of programming.

[penfold1992]

Yeah all this stuff is recommended but no way in hell will you learn all these languages with "tonnes of spare time". People who study CS, CE, SIS, all takes 2-4 years of schooling to learn and understand these languages. The best you can do for now is learn the basic level of programming.

ive been out of work and education for 2 years now with no intent of doing either in the near future...

the spare time i have would be... all day really.

[*BlackFox]

with no intent of doing either in the near future...

Why not?

[penfold1992]

severe anxiety issues.. dont see a future to be honest. id rather just stay at home and try to do something from home... make some sort of living of intrest or learning new things for that.

[*BlackFox]

id rather just stay at home and try to do something from home... make some sort of living of intrest or learning new things for that.

Well, I guess it's better than nothing.

[Avalanche]

Try taking online courses then. Learning this stuff by yourself isn't easy.

[SM-Count]

Yeah all this stuff is recommended but no way in hell will you learn all these languages with "tonnes of spare time". People who study CS, CE, SIS, all takes 2-4 years of schooling to learn and understand these languages. The best you can do for now is learn the basic level of programming.

Completely wrong. After your first language it takes only a month or two to learn a new language if you're spending a day or two a week on it. CS majors spend 2-4 years learning algorithms, data structures, computational complexity, digital logic, computer architecture, formal languages, design patterns, AI, assemblers, compilers, network protocols, switching theory etc. Different languages are picked up along the way because certain languages are really good at some jobs (for example matlab for computer imaging) but considering the first lab for new concepts start 3 weeks after the beginning of classes no one's gonna sit around teaching you syntax for a new language. At most the teacher will have a link to the official documentation website but that's usually it.

If all you want to do is learn languages so you can code stuff random shit then it shouldn't be hard at all. Heard newbies like python but don't know how much truth there is to that.

[Macs]

thanks for the replies, what i ment by my previous post about things like minecraft mods is the same as what people do with pk2 editting here... having a base which starts simple and is highly rewarding is such a good step into coding.
changing a line in a text file ment i could appear to have an sox weapon!!!
having someone elses code and then tweaking things is what i thought might be a good idea seeing as you start with a working product already and trying to achieve a slightly different result... things can be slowly increased until you get further but you always can visually see your improvement as you go.

sometimes coding can be a lot of code and a lot of time yet your finish result just fails and doesnt work at all and errors out... this is where not just me but most people are likely to just give up. with no formal training i feel this is likely to happen... more so in c++ or c# to be honest.
python does seem like a good starting point, so does c# but i understand 100% why stress recommends c++.
as for what coding im into doing, really depends on the result... website code doesnt intrest me as much because im not an artist as such...

Taking something made and slightly adapting it won't really teach you anything, especially if it's object orientated programming.

[Azilius]

C is a nice low level language that can help you understand fundamentals pretty easily. I started with visual basic, then very basic c++, then onto C. I learned a lot more about underlying ideas and programming concepts when I used C though. After you learn the basic concepts you should easily learn other languages. I picked up python in a day, and java in a few fairly easily after knowing enough about C.

[Skyve]

On another note, fabulous Skyve is taking Intro Comp.Sci. as an option next year.

[Stress]

C is a nice low level language that can help you understand fundamentals pretty easily. I started with visual basic, then very basic c++, then onto C. I learned a lot more about underlying ideas and programming concepts when I used C though. After you learn the basic concepts you should easily learn other languages. I picked up python in a day, and java in a few fairly easily after knowing enough about C.

Yeah, same here. I started with C, when I was 13, and did C only until the end of high school. Then, i picked up C#, Java, C++ and Python as well.

Recently, I've gotten into Go, Google's programming language. Go is awesome; it's basically a 21st century C. I say this wherever I get the chance. For any programmer with some spare time and willingness, Go is an awesome, awesome language to learn.

[marijnz0r]

For scripting, check: http://www.w3schools.com

[EvGa]

Yeah all this stuff is recommended but no way in hell will you learn all these languages with "tonnes of spare time". People who study CS, CE, SIS, all takes 2-4 years of schooling to learn and understand these languages. The best you can do for now is learn the basic level of programming.

Completely wrong. After your first language it takes only a month or two to learn a new language if you're spending a day or two a week on it. CS majors spend 2-4 years learning algorithms, data structures, computational complexity, digital logic, computer architecture, formal languages, design patterns, AI, assemblers, compilers, network protocols, switching theory etc. Different languages are picked up along the way because certain languages are really good at some jobs (for example matlab for computer imaging) but considering the first lab for new concepts start 3 weeks after the beginning of classes no one's gonna sit around teaching you syntax for a new language. At most the teacher will have a link to the official documentation website but that's usually it.

This guy!


Learn SQL and database fundamentals and then go get a job. But like Count said, once you have the fundamentals down you can pickup any language relatively quick.

[omier]

Learn SQL and database fundamentals and then go get a job. But like Count said, once you have the fundamentals down you can pickup any language relatively quick.

Yeah, make an SRO private server and mess around with the db. That might teach you something. It has to me.