BleepingComputer.com: Looking to get into programming

Hi guys/girls,

I've been searching this forum (and have seen the amount of posts asking "how to learn...") but still i find myself adding to the collection...

I've been keen on getting into programming for a while now but haven't found the time, until now. As i have seen from the other posts there are a HUGE amount of languages! I guess my question is, for a beginner like me, where should i start and also, i'm guessing certain languages are used for specific tasks? Such as Java for simple games or something... So i'm wondering if someone could sorta give a quick description of what some common languages are used for?

If someone wouldn't mind giving me a kick start, that'd be great

Well... I'm off to googling it again...

Thanks in advance,

Kam

This post has been edited by KamakaZ: 10 August 2009 - 06:26 PM

Well you've just ignited the age old flame war

I'd start with Visual Basic -- it stinks but it does a good job of getting you used to programming and is more readable than competing languages. Java and C# are more -- "Big Boy" languages once you're comfortable.

Finally, something like C gives you unparalleled access to hardware -- but at the expense of functionality that C#, Java, and VisualBasic.NET provide for you.

Most languages are general purpose -- you can use them for a number of different things. The only "specialty" of which I am aware is that a program written in Java can run unmodified on alternate operating systems.

Billy3

A while back i did start on visual basic, good to know i was heading in the right direction! I will get back on the horse then

So different languages can be used to do the same thing? (sorry this is kinda confusing even myself!) I guess what i'm trying to say, with web design, you have your basic HTML for begginers, then you can get creative with php, asp and databases. See php maybe be better suited for one task rather than asp, (i think i can understand that), it's not like that with programming?

you mention Visual Basic and VisualBasic.NET, any difference between the two?

Thanks Billy3

EDIT: Next question is, what program do i use to program in Visual Basic? Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition?

This post has been edited by KamakaZ: 10 August 2009 - 07:03 PM

Yes, different languages can be used to do the same thing. Some are more suited for some tasks than others, but at their core all languages do the same things. Php and Asp do the same thing; one is open source, and one is part of the Microsift stack.

Just pick a language and learn it. Billy prefers VB for a learner language; I prefer Java or C#, and they are equally readable. C is a good language, but very different from Java, VB, or C#. And just for clarification, HTML is not a programming language, nor is CSS.

I know php and asp do the same thing, that was what i was kinda pointing out... but the languages (structure wise) are different. I agree HTML and CSS are NOT a programming language.

Still, where to start... Java, C#, VB? Then, what do i use to compile the program?

*Bill puts teacher hat on......

Well.. what does google tell you?

Billy3

Sorry Billy3, which part are you meaning?

I've been reading up on the three i mentioned above... i think i'm going to give java a crack, as it can be embeded into webpages which may come in handy

KamakaZ, on Aug 10 2009, 09:13 PM, said:

Billy O, on Aug 10 2009, 09:15 PM, said:

Quote

I think you may have misunderstood something, because Java can not be embedded in a web page, nor can any other language except javascript. Java can be embedded in the page that creates the webpage, as can any other number of languages, but all that a browser understands is HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Aha... ok so for java programming, google tells me i need:

- The Java Development Kit (JDK) for Java SE 6.
- NetBeans IDE
- Java EE SDK

*off to download Netbeans

Let me know if you have any problems.....

Quote

Thanks guys

You can do just about anything with all of the BIG languages with more or less difficulty. Although Java doesn't have nearly the kind of low level access that C derivatives do. Java is more about user interaction than system interaction.

Languages don't really become specialized until you reach the high-level languages. Python isn't exactly specialized for any task but it is designed to be quick, easy, and intuitive. I wouldn't recommend starting there if you've never programmed before though because it might be difficult to grasp without programming knowledge in a more structured language.

AutoHotkey for example is designed to script macros and makes writing simple GUI-type apps very easy. I used it to program a drop-down menu to hold my shortcuts so I could clean up my desktop and use it more as a temp holding area for whatever I'm working on that I haven't yet filed away.

Look at my post in this thread:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic246959.html
It is not 100% what I would say to you but it is about 97%.