[suicide007]

Which language should i start out with?

I am mainly interested in writing programs that would be useful to a caniving 16 year-old. Spam-bots would be a good example, although that is pretty far from what i can actually see myself doing, but the basic functions of entering data into other programs is key. Also im interested not really in web development, but in being able to monitor what data my pc sends when i do something, and write a program that is able to emulate that data, but changes some part of it so as to go undected. wow. that sounds like a spambot. o well.


When i say new to programming, i mean besides pixelated line games on my ti-84 during physics. I have a pretty solid understanding of how it all works, and i got C++ for dummies a while back, but i got bored and quit. It wasnt that i couldnt understand it, but i got to page like 150, saw no practical use whatsoever, and quit. Now, i realize that there is definetily a lot of practical uses for that language, but im just not sure if its what im looking for.

What would you guys recommend? I was thinking maybe javascript maybe. Would that be the best for the purposes descrived above?

[jaeusm]

monitor what data my pc sends when i do something, and write a program that is able to emulate that data, but changes some part of it so as to go undected. wow. that sounds like a spambot. o well.

It's nice to have a goal in mind, but you need to learn how to program first. Writing a network program (and understanding what it does) requires a decent amount of sophistication for a beginner. I would recommend learning a language like Python, which will allow you to be more productive in a shorter amount of time than many other languages. Then you'll need to learn sockets programming.

What is the purpose of this program you're wanting to create?

[suicide007]

I dont have a specific program in mind. I just wanna get into it. And i know its gonna take time, i just wanna be able to be a fairly productive programmer within about 6 months (or less). Is python similar to other, more widely used languages?

[jaeusm]

Python is a widely used language. However, you can choose to learn any language you want. The important thing is that you learn how to program while learning your chosen language syntax.

[forrestcupp]

Javascript isn't much use at all. It's not that much more powerful than html. Javascript is totally different than Java, which is way more powerful. If you're using a Windows computer, I would think about C#. It's very easy to learn, and it's quick to get working programs completed. Also, because of the similarities to C++, it might be a good stepping stone to realizing the benefits and power of C++. You can get Visual C# Express for free from Microsoft.com. The free version of C# doesn't really cripple you.

[Chankama]

"Which language should I start with first"

http://www.tech-forums.net/showthrea...threadid=17862

[Tcm9669]

In my opinion if you have an idea of looping etc.. then Visual Basic is quite good for you! It is powerful (if you know how to use it) and simple to make programs in a few minutes once you get used to it!

[Menekali]

Personally i would learn Visual Basic first. It's easy to get your hands on, and it's amazingly simple.

You could also give PHP a try (web server side scripting language), which follows closely to C.

[Chankama]

Originally posted by Menekali
You could also give PHP a try (web server side scripting language), which follows closely to C.

You are comparing PHP to C????

:eek:

[Menekali]

Well, PHP is programmed in C, and borrows some of the same syntax, and guide lines as C. It's been said many times, that learning PHP, would usually ease someone into C quite easily.