interested in programming

[xGutsAndGloryx]

i am very interested in learning how to program? could any refer me to any tutorials, guides, how to's, instuctional videos, or etc?

[Sockerdrickan]

http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/

Happy programming

[Frosty Cold Drink]

Its best to figure out something you want to program, and just do it.

Yes, it will be tough, and you'll have to do a lot of little things to learn how to do what you really want to do, but if you expect to go anywhere, always be working toward a goal you want to accomplsih.

[apoth]

Pick a language to start with. I'd have said Java probably, Sun have lots of tutorials and it has a lot of users so you should be able to google/find a forum to get answers easily, though the rate that I'm flying through ruby at the moment, I'd be tempted to say try that.

[Auria]

Now everyone is going to propose their own favorite language. So stupid.

Choose yourself a language you want to learn, then google for tutorials about it, go to the local library and rent a book, buy a book on amazon, etc...

if you don't know what langauge to pick, explain what you want to program, then ask for people to give examples of languages that would be good for that purpose (please, don't ask which one is best - that will start a flame war ;) rather collect names and read articles on them yourself, collect technical facts about them, not opinions)

there is a sticky thread "how to begin programming" in these programming boards that will give many useful links

[Sockerdrickan]

I said C++ because it's very widespread and portable, usable etc compared to languages that works best for specific tasks :P

[pmasiar]

If you do some research, you will find that most people recommend to start learning programming with Python, then add C or C++ or some other language for more time-critical parts.

Python is simpler than many other languages, which is deceiving, because it is also very powerful language for expert. The only area where it *not* good is time-critical functionality (drivers, kernel, games), where C or C++ rules.

Wiki in my sig has many links to tutorials, free online books, and more important, to tasks good for a beginner to train before you ready for real projects.

If you like videos, showmedo.com has screencasts for many things, also for Python. IIRC some of videos are pay-to-view, but you have free teasers - and if people pay, they are probably worth it.

After you learn basics, you can decide in which area you want to specialize - because in every area, different languages are dominant, and you can learn them later. After all, most cases is just syntax which is different, but you have same variables, loops, conditions, arrays, lists and files.

But to start learning programming, Python is the best. The only people who disagree are those who don't know Python yet :-)

[fatsheep]

Python is good but don't forget about bash (the command line) as well. It's proven to be quite useful for everyday administrative tasks as well as installation scripts and simple programs.

[Toxe]

First of all get yourself a good editor (vim or Emacs) and spend one or two weeks learning how to use it.

After that I'd say learn C and after a year move on to C++. Once you know enough of both you can either stick with one or learn another one. (Dare I suggest Common Lisp?)

Oh and forget about those IDE thingies, they only spoil beginners. All you need are some good books, a good editor, a shell, your trusty compiler (GCC), a make program (GNU make) and a debugger (GDB). Once you know these stuff you are set and able to decide what to do next.

Oh and have fun! :-)

[Samjiman]

Some good interpreted languages are:

Python (http://www.python.org), Lua (http://www.lua.org) and Ruby (http://www.ruby-lang.org)

Out of those three, I think I prefer Ruby (although I haven't used any extensively).
The nice thing about Ruby is that the designer merged many nice features from his favorite languages
- one nice feature is that you can do math straight on a whole array.

Best thing would be to look around and find a language you find enjoyable to use.

Of course for compiled, you have C, C++, Java (which is actually compiled and interpreted), etc.
With Mono, C# is becoming a more viable solution for programming on Unix-like systems.

[kknd]

My suggestion:

- Wanna make a 100% portable app? - pick Java
- Wanna an easy to learn, consistent language? - pick Python
- Wanna have the maximum desktop integration? - pick C++
- Wanna rock? - pick Haskell =S

[PriceChild]

My opinion is that those people that say "i want to learn how to do this... who do i do this?" don't get very far. (and i'm one of them)

If you really wanted to learn how to program, you would have a problem to solve and do that... or try and contribute to an existing project. - do it :)

Pricey

[stlcoptony]

sorry to bring back an old topic, but my interest in programming is that I would like to contribute to existing projects. I am really interested in software that can be changed/improved by anyone. I just want to know where to start.

thanks

[LaRoza]

sorry to bring back an old topic, but my interest in programming is that I would like to contribute to existing projects. I am really interested in software that can be changed/improved by anyone. I just want to know where to start.

thanks

GNU software is is usually in C, http://www.gnu.org/prep/standards/standards.html#Design-Advice, Ubuntu uses Python a lot, so C and Python are worth learning, if nothing else.

Perl is also widely used, as is C++. (These languages won't be hard with C and Python experience)

To start: http://laroza.pbwiki.com/Python

[pmasiar]

I just want to know where to start.


You need to give us more info about you to be able to give any meaningful advice. Possibly by starting yet another thread about "how to start"What languages do you know, if any? Do you have any "formal" CompSci education? Do you have any app you are interested of improving? Do want to dig drivers, user desktop apps, web apps, games? Firefox plugin? All areas require different skills.

You may want to start by learning some programming language (Python is widely considered as the best for beginners), then learn couple more languages - the one your project uses. This will take you couple of months at least :-) - by then, you will have better idea where you want to contribute: scratch your own itch.

Wiki in my sig has links to learning material, including online books and training tasks.

Even beginner can contribute by testing programs, reporting bugs, commenting on existing docs to make it better.

You will spend many many hours of that project - it better should be something you use yourself and love to be success for others,

Read sticky "suggestion for beginners"