What langauge?

[vze4gmkk]

I would like to get into programming at least a little. I have also got questions:

1. What is the easist to learn language?
2. How long (approxinmatly) does it takes to learn <insert answer to 1>?
3. What can you do with <language>?
4. Are there any good and free tutorials for <language>?

Thanks in Advance

[evac-q8r]

What is it that you're trying to accomplish? With no goals or aspirations to construct a particular project of some sort, you could be wasting your time. However, if you have some project or application you're are trying to create, there may be a particular langauge you should learn. You are asking for guidance, but you haven't helped narrow the situation. With all that said, try C. Just jump in and experience it for yourself. There are plenty of tutorials if you do an ordinary google search.

EVAC

[binaryDigit]

Originally posted by vze4gmkk
I would like to get into programming at least a little. I have also got questions:

1. What is the easist to learn language?

python

2. How long (approxinmatly) does it takes to learn <insert answer to 1>?

not long for the core of the language, but it depends on answer 3.

3. What can you do with <language>?

pretty much everything.
cgi, oop, network programming, regular expressions. the list is too long.

4. Are there any good and free tutorials for <language>?

yep. www.python.org

Thanks in Advance

you're welcome :D

[gg4]

C/C++ are also good languages to learn, albeit they aren't as easy. However, C/C++ is more powerful and faster than almost any language you can use (besides assembly).

[inkedmn]

i agree, learn python. it took me about 18 months to get to the point where i was confident in my programming abilities (in python). i've since learned java and am now trying my hand at C++. but if you're a total beginner, don't bother w/ C/C++ yet, it'll just confuse the crap out of you. :)

[chrism01]

If you're using Linux, it might be a good idea to start with Bash shell programming, as you'll be able to use it day to day and look at how your system works, so be able to learn/borrow tricks from the people who supplied your sw.
You'll be able to build your own tools/utils and automate stuff.
A good portable lang would be perl: www.perl.org. Used to do almost anything you can think of, with a huge amt of pre-built modules avail from www.cpan.org .
1-2 yrs is prob right to become really good at a lang, but it depends on how much effort you put in.

[vze4gmkk]

Thank you for all of your replies.
I guess I'll go with python.
Wish me luck!
Also, I created (quickly) celsius to farenheit and vice-versa converters. They are at:
http://cdlc.ath.cx:8080/downloads/celsius
http://cdlc.ath.cx:8080/downloads/farenheit
Nothing too special

:)

[vze4gmkk]

not to bother anybody but how do you get the concole programs to graphical pygtk stuff?
More Thanks In Advance

[gfreehed]

GUI based apps tend to be more complicated and require a good understanding of how your graphical system works (at least when using C/C++). I would suggest that you learn some C/C++ and then look up some information on GTK, QT and X window programming.

Java can be a bit easier for GUI stuff. You can learn how to use the Swing toolkit fairly easily after you learn the basics. All the info you need is on java.sun.com.

[mr orion77]

im in the same position, im a designer but want to have programming knowledge to give me more options.

i tried python but was always wondering if it is worth the effort. for example using web, networks, admin and small apps.

im trying c++ and thats really strange with long unsigned integers etc its certainly not light on the beginner.

for me i'd like to write little plugins for programs like gimp to suit my needs.
or my own 3d materials editor app or modeller.

[chrism01]

for example using web, networks, admin and small apps.


Sounds perfect for perl. A glue lang ;)
Try the Perl Cookbook, publ by O'Reilly. Loads of pre-written solutions, fully explained. I use it at work!
See www.cpan.org for graphics modules.

[mr orion77]

hmmm but most agree perl is awful for beginners and im stiill unsure of what to do.
i'll get a book and try it out then i can decide. spose its better to act rather than dither over it.

thanx for the suggestion.

[chrism01]

Well, with comp langs, there's always a trade-off between power and simplicity , much like any other toolset.

As an example as you go from bash->Perl->C you get more complexity, but more power.
Eg vars in bash are generally strings although you can do arithmetic as well. In Perl you get different types eg scalar, array, hash. In C you get int, char, array, long, float, double and you have to worry about signed/unsigned...

I'd prob recommend learn langs in that order, although I went BASIC->C :)

HTH

[binaryDigit]

Originally posted by mr orion77
im in the same position, im a designer but want to have programming knowledge to give me more options.

i tried python but was always wondering if it is worth the effort. for example using web, networks, admin and small apps.

im trying c++ and thats really strange with long unsigned integers etc its certainly not light on the beginner.

for me i'd like to write little plugins for programs like gimp to suit my needs.
or my own 3d materials editor app or modeller.

python works very well for web,networks, admin and small apps.
i recently wrote a python program that went to the old farmer's almanac website and downloaded the precipitation values for a five year period for 10 weather stations.
i also wrote a python program that displayed messages on a lcd display connected to a pc through the serial port. the server program ran the serial port stuff and the clients sent the string to be displayed to the server. so the networking that you want is also available.
python is a great language to start with because it teaches you concepts that will help you go on to other languages.
www.codeexamples.org has more python examples.

[4thgen]

I am learning C and its my first languange. As long as you get a pretty good book on it and take your time and make sure you understand what you just learned before you move on to next lesson its easy to grasp. I chose C since in linux everything is C and there will be many programs for you to alter and play around with as you learn. I want to learn assembly next and bash will come along as my knowledge of linux grows.

I have been told by alot of people just to pick one and stick with it, dont half learn it then move to next.

[jetblackz]

Amen to "pick one and stick with it".

[4thgen]

lol, do you mean "amen" , or saying that since i am contradicting myself since i mentioned learning a couple??

[binaryDigit]

Originally posted by 4thgen

I have been told by alot of people just to pick one and stick with it, dont half learn it then move to next.

that's very good advice