Programming Talk FAQ's Discussion

[LaRoza]

This thread is for discussing the stickies. As the stickies have changed a lot in design and number over time, there is little point in reading this entire thread.

[pmasiar]

I really liked formatting in my original version more. Maybe size=+2 headings, but lots whitespace is good: it makes for easier reading. Your text feels like some docs on manpages of something. Heavy.

Rule should be to have 7+-2 (5-9) parts. 5 is better.

Also text like:

Individual Languages
C and C++:
- - -FAQ: Compiling your first C or C++ programs
- - -FAQ: Troubleshooting common C and C++ compilation errors
Various Scripting Languages:
- - -FAQ: Scripting Languages -

makes for hard reading, and does not scale. What if we add Java? I was thinking about having one 2nd-level FAQ for specific languages.

What's your Favorite IDE or Editor?
How to Learn Programming

- should go to own sections: "FAQ - Comparing tools/IDE/libraries" and "Learn programing".

I think we could have these "sections" in top sticky, each of them will be a link to a separate 2nd-level FAQ:

1) Why read FAQ (and how you can help opensource by learning how to ask right questions)

2) Which language to learn? Comparing languages in many ways

3) Solving common errors (in many languages)

4) Learning programming and computer science

5) Comparing tools/IDE/libraries etc

6) How to join/start new project, what license

7) Books, Documentation and References

Each of those will be just a link to 2nd-level FAQ, with a little blurb what is inside, but glancing this page will get reader generic idea that FAQ has all the info.

2nd-level FAQ may share some 3rd-level FAQ ("make post readable", "which language for beginners" etc.

[LaRoza]

I really liked formatting in my original version more. Maybe size=+2 headings, but lots whitespace is good: it makes for easier reading. Your text feels like some docs on manpages of something. Heavy.

- should go to own sections: "FAQ - Comparing tools/IDE/libraries" and "Learn programing".

I think we could have these "sections" in top sticky, each of them will be a link to a separate 2nd-level FAQ:

Interesting, I found your version hard to follow because the headings were too big, and there was too much whitespace. Before settling in on a specific format, we should wait for more opinions. After all, we are not going to be the ones reading this the most.

I put those two links first (and without a section) because there should be no excuse for missing them. Although logically they should have their own section, it is my opinion they should be the most prominent links, as they seem to be the most asked yet least interesting discussions.

The first post on this thread is an almost exact copy of the sticky. If you want to visually change it, you can quote it and edit it so it we can see what it looks like.

(I will update the OP on this thread to reflect any changes in the sticky)

[aks44]

Concerning the appearance: more whitespace would be nice IMHO. Maybe (nested) [ list ] too instead of * and ---? While I'm at it, headers a bit bigger (that's just my own taste )

eg.


What's your Favorite IDE or Editor?
How to Learn Programming


How To Learn To Program

• Read What questions to consider when selecting a language to find out:
  
  • There is not a "one best language to rule them all"
  • Why are there so many programming languages?
  • How long does it take to learn programming?
• Learn Python Wiki has collection of good links, Google will give you more
• Learn to Program Wiki has collection of links for many languages.

Documentation and References:

• How to start programming - guides and links for many languages
• Programming Books Recommendations

and so on...
YMMV



but again, IMHO in a (near?) future we should have current headers become links to "sublevel" FAQs. But we're not here yet for now (EDIT: looks like pmasiar and I have quite a similar vision...).

[LaRoza]

What's your Favorite IDE or Editor?
How to Learn Programming


How To Learn To Program

• Read What questions to consider when selecting a language to find out:
  
  • There is not a "one best language to rule them all"
  • Why are there so many programming languages?
  • How long does it take to learn programming?
• Learn Python Wiki has collection of good links, Google will give you more
• Learn to Program Wiki has collection of links for many languages.

Documentation and References:

• How to start programming - guides and links for many languages
• Programming Books Recommendations

Thanks, using the format suggested now.

We need more links, before making the headers links. Lets get this up first.

[LaRoza]

I was looking over the sticky again and found it hard to navigate (this was known from the beginning)

I propose a redesign. Three stickies with the following subjects:

Learning
- How to learn
- References
- What language to learn?

Programming Tools and Languages
- IDE's
- Editors
- GUI toolkits/builders
- Compilers and Interpreters
- C, C++, Java, Interpreters
- Comparisons of languages, polls, etc

Programming Talk
- Posting code
- How to ask questions
- Homework
- etc

It would separate the content into more logical groups. What do you think?

[pmasiar]

Absolutely. And separate FAQ with training tasks to solve.

We had that discussion before, and suggested changes to redesign did not happened. maybe now is better time (but I have **less** time now )

[stevescripts]

LaRoza,

Sounds good to me.

But <shameless attempt at humor> ...
Where are you going to put the Holy Wars? (Language, IDE, Editor)
</shameless attempt at humor>

Steve (forgive me, it is Friday...)

[LaRoza]

Absolutely. And separate FAQ with training tasks to solve.

We had that discussion before, and suggested changes to redesign did not happened. maybe now is better time (but I have **less** time now )

That could go with the learning one. (Obviously, they will be named according to their contents) I have more time now... At least, until I go back to school (July)

LaRoza,

Sounds good to me.

But <shameless attempt at humor> ...
Where are you going to put the Holy Wars? (Language, IDE, Editor)
</shameless attempt at humor>

Steve (forgive me, it is Friday...)

The good thing about the web is, that links can go anywhere and lead anywhere. It isn't really obvious, but there are redundant links in the stickies. I think if one wanted to map it out as it is now, everything is interconnected.

[LaRoza]

Three new stickies. Old ones have been preserved in case there is a reason to go back.

It follows the same layout, but they are shorter and more focused now.

How did I do?