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Thread: Yep, this is a newbie message

  1. #1
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    Yep, this is a newbie message

    Greetings all,

    From the title, you can probably tell I'm going to spout complete n00bish for a second or two.

    I'm very interested in programming, but am very confused as to where to start. I've had smatterings of Visual Basic, C, and PHP but I'm not sure if any of them are very good to get attached to.

    Been looking into doing Java or C++ for compiled programs and possibly Javascript for web design.

    Any opinions?

    Thanks in advance,

    Arbiter
    “Never judge someone until you've walked a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do judge him, you're a mile away and you have his shoes.”

    ― Emo Philips

  2. #2
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message

    Java is a pretty good language to start, but many say that you must start with a language that allows multiple paradigm language, such as Python or C++.

    Java only allows Object Orientated Programming.

    I have started with Python, and never regretted it. It stays out of your way and lets you learn the concepts.
    I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
    Freedom is measured in Stallmans.
    Projects: gEcrit

  3. #3
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message

    Welcome to the forum!

    To save time, let's have a template response

    Don't bother learning _______, it sucks.
    Learn ______, it can do anything.
    While all that's going on, why don't you read this?

    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=667422

    and this ...

    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1006666

    ... and flick back through the last few pages of posts too:

    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1756767
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1752355
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1745356
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1746256
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1739493

    The question comes up a lot, as you may imagine. It's probably more productive to narrow down some options and ask specific questions.

  4. #4
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message

    Quote Originally Posted by r-senior View Post
    Welcome to the forum!

    To save time, let's have a template response



    While all that's going on, why don't you read this?

    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=667422

    and this ...

    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1006666

    ... and flick back through the last few pages of posts too:

    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1756767
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1752355
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1745356
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1746256
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1739493

    The question comes up a lot, as you may imagine. It's probably more productive to narrow down some options and ask specific questions.
    It is just faster to say "PYTHON!".
    I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
    Freedom is measured in Stallmans.
    Projects: gEcrit

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Location
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message

    Thanks for the suggestions all- seems like Python will help me on my way a bit. I have yet to fully grasp some constructs, so hopefully this will do the trick.

    Any tips for tackling this? Or is it a "just take it slow and keep my patience in check" kind of thing?
    “Never judge someone until you've walked a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do judge him, you're a mile away and you have his shoes.”

    ― Emo Philips

  6. #6
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message


  7. #7
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message

    Quote Originally Posted by Arbiter View Post
    Any tips for tackling this?
    IMO don't worry about the choice too much. You won't program exclusively in one language for the rest of your days. Most languages have a lot in common in terms of constructs and good practices.

    Learning one language won't prevent you from learning another, it will help you if anything. Pick something reasonably mainstream and dig in.

  8. #8
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message

    I'll do a +1 on python but what you should learn will depend on where you wish to go. Also where you wish to go will change over time (what you want to do now will be different in 3 to 5 years cause of developments in computers).

    If your interested in writing business applications then Java would most prob be best, same goes if you wish to write Android applications. But if you wish to write apps for Linux then C/C++ is what I would recommend (depends on whether you prefer KDE or Gnome). If you just wish to write web sites but not web applications as such then php and javascript are good options for that area.

    All just IMHO.

    Cheers,

    James
    In any dispute the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the stakes at issue - Sayre's Law

    Si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait - Henri Estienne

  9. #9
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message

    I would suggest to go where your interests are.
    If you like developing things that would go well on the web start with javascript or php.
    If you like to make things that only run on desktops or in applets use Java.
    Also do a little research about what you can do with each than make a decision

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Re: Yep, this is a newbie message

    I will say this as someone who is still learning new programming languages: Use a language that you like + can do what you want in a not-too-complicated way (Ruby, Python, pretty much all scripting languages). Try Java also Just try to have fun!
    So, you were talking about that... ummm... that... errr...
    Oh, yes, yes...

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