Where to start with programming?

Chad711 · 02-20-2009, 11:59 AM

I've always wanted to get into programming. It's always been something I thought that would be really rewarding. Being able to create a application from the ground up or a game.

I've read a few beginner books that really talk about the history of it and some basic things. I have another book that is huge....called Beginning C# but I haven't started it. Just haven't found the time really. Second, I think I'm a better learner if someone that knows this stuff is teaching me it, or if I was in a class learning. Reading about it myself just doesn't really benefit me as much as being taught the languages.

So with that said, where do I start? Is there classes I can take with out having to go to college to do it? Classes that are strictly for a language I want to learn? If so where should I start? If I want to learn C#, PHP and I'd also like to get into Sharepoint. I've heard there isn't many people out there that know Sharepoint so knowing Sharepoint would help with getting a decent job.

aaronkupen · 02-20-2009, 12:02 PM

You honestly just need to spend time on it. If someone is teaching you, that can only do so much -- you will need to spend hours and hours outside of that small lecture or demonstration to work things out for yourself and experiment. You can't be taught all logic, you can only be guided as to how to work out a problem.

Simplest thing to do is to grab a book and really make the effort to learn. If you are unable to do that, then you honestly might as well not bother. Real programming is not something you just pick up and do on a whim.

Baez · 02-20-2009, 12:03 PM

Many colleges offer single courses like what you're talking about so just ask around and don't be afraid to phone them. They're usually very accomodating and helpful.

Chad711 · 02-20-2009, 12:13 PM

I know it takes time and some thought of your own. I know that one person might do the same job different then the next guy. What I am asking though, is where do you start? Is it ok to just jump in C# or is there another language I should know in and out before I get into C#? Or would it be better to not know another language and start fresh with PHP and C#?

jaeusm · 02-20-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

What I am asking though, is where do you start? Is it ok to just jump in C# or is there another language I should know in and out before I get into C#?

You can start with any language. Everyone has an opinion on which is the best to start with, but it doesn't really matter. My only suggestion is to pick one language and use it as the vehicle to learn how to program. In other words, don't try learning PHP and C# at the same time. It can be done, but for a beginner, it's much easier to learn just one language syntax at a time.

surgeVel · 02-20-2009, 02:18 PM

Agreed with jaeusm.

Once you learn a language, the syntax is very similar throughout all other programming languages, and it is very easy, for the most part, to adapt. I would suggest starting with C or Java as they are the more commonly used languages.

SparkMonkeyHellion · 02-20-2009, 03:08 PM

it would also help if you had a focus... do you want to go into Video Game programing? then you def. need C#

Scientific... then go with Fortran and visual basic.

If you just want generic computer programming, pascal or C++

If you want to get into more modern stuff, DEFINITELY learn PHP

Chad711 · 02-20-2009, 03:57 PM

I want to learn C# for sure because I want to program video games. I want to learn PHP because I want to be able to do side jobs too for people, web apps, etc. So looks like I will put PHP to the side for now.

Thanks for the help. Guess I will dig into that book I have. Here it is: Beginning C#

SparkMonkeyHellion · 02-20-2009, 04:25 PM

I taught myself HTML (okay, I know it's not very complicated so

) but anyways the way I did it was just go through and look at all the little demos of code and type those in and then change it around, just to get used to the syntax.

plus GOOGLE is awesome. just type in something like "table html/css" and you will get gobs of code.

I'm sure it would work the same way for PHP:

Like this I just did "PHP Frames"

How To Use PHP Tables Instead of Frames

S0ULphIRE · 02-24-2009, 10:51 PM

I'd say definitely look into getting into a programming course in college. It cost me about 60-80 bucks total 2 years ago for the programming part of my college course, and I gotta say it's a LOT easier when you've got the right equipment, software, and someone standing by to explain anything you get stuck on.

When you first start, programming is HARD. At least, it was for me. That's why I reckon it's important to get started the right way, it's easy to put yourself off by trying to start without any help. Once you've got the basics of one language done, a LOT of other languages are easier to learn.

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