Begining Programming

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Soldato
Joined
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Well i've got some time off, i'd like to dabble in a bit of programming. I've done a bit of HTML/CSS but not much beyond that. So i've set a few (flexible) goals:

  • Become fluent enough in Java/C to work through 'The Elements of Computing Systems'.
  • Be able to use C to properly utilize DWM.
  • Develop applications for Android (longer term).

I'm not using VB, partly because i don't see the point but mostly because i use Linux. So... what's the point in creating this thread? To be honest, i'm not at all sure where to start. I have access to a bookcase full of material, mostly Java based - any good titles i should be looking for? And what about online reference - anything like W3Schools for Java or C (although preferably more accurate ;) ). Thanks for any help pointing me in the right direction :)
 
I think you'd do well to learn any OO language.. The problem is that programming isn't such a dark art and/or specialised as it once was. Access to online tutorials, books, guides etc make learning available to everyone. This makes it tough against any competition..

I would pick a business area you are keen to work in and go from there.. Some of the more recent Banking applications, for example, are C# or C++. However, the programming is half the problem.. understanding the business is another aspect which is often under estimated...
 
I'd like to know if there is anything your looking to get out of learning a programming language. Are you learning it just for fun or are you looking to apply it somewhere? i.e. work etc

Seeing as you already have some skills in HTML & CSS, how about looking at webapp development as an extension to those skills. So learning Java (as the .Net route is a no go for linux) and then some JEE stuff might be a good idea.
 
I own 'The Elements of Computing Systems' and I don't think it required much high-level programming knowledge as it is mainly hardware and low level stuff you are dealing with.

The C Programming Language 2nd Edition is the book to buy for C.

If you want to learn the fundamentals then check out Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs although for your needs I believe this would be a bit OTT. I always recommend that book :D
 
Any recommendations for learning Java?

I'm some programming knowledge from college but to be honest it was a while ago and I want to go back to the start.
 
agent_paul said:
I'd like to know if there is anything your looking to get out of learning a programming language. Are you learning it just for fun or are you looking to apply it somewhere? i.e. work etc

Seeing as you already have some skills in HTML & CSS, how about looking at webapp development as an extension to those skills. So learning Java (as the .Net route is a no go for linux) and then some JEE stuff might be a good idea.
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Well i'm not going to pursue a career in it (although using it to get a little extra income wouldn't be completely out of the question ;) )... so the other thing :D

Partly to help understand how things work, partly to learn a skill that will almost definitely come in useful at some point, and i could use it to help maintain certain open source apps.

Garee said:
I own 'The Elements of Computing Systems' and I don't think it required much high-level programming knowledge as it is mainly hardware and low level stuff you are dealing with.

The C Programming Language 2nd Edition is the book to buy for C.

If you want to learn the fundamentals then check out Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs although for your needs I believe this would be a bit OTT. I always recommend that book :D
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Not much, but i gather the basics wouldn't exactly go amiss.

I'll keep an eye out for that C book anyway, seems what's on the shelf is what was bought at the recommendation of a lecturer. Don't know what that means nowadays :p

Is the 'Sam's Teach Yourself' series worth a punt?

@above - i actually have Head First Java... i just can't seem to find it :mad:
 
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I've never really liked the Sam's teach yourself series, so I'd say no, not worth the punt.

I also have the Head First Java book and it does a decent job in teaching the fundamentals of OO design/programming.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
I think you'd do well to learn any OO language.. The problem is that programming isn't such a dark art and/or specialised as it once was. Access to online tutorials, books, guides etc make learning available to everyone. This makes it tough against any competition..
Click to expand...
Its always been like that, the difference is being a good programmer. I found so many terrible programmers in industry its unbelievable.
 
I know you said C or Java, may I suggest Python as an alternative to learn with? I think C tends to give yourself a few too many ropes to hang yourself with as a starter language, and Java is frankly annoying to program. Especially if it's just for fun / personal edification Python is a nice language (and portable too).
 
Ive been meaning to teach myself some C# to make windows phone 7 apps and games with XNA. Going to find a good book and just do it.
 
sldsmkd said:
I know you said C or Java, may I suggest Python as an alternative to learn with? I think C tends to give yourself a few too many ropes to hang yourself with as a starter language, and Java is frankly annoying to program. Especially if it's just for fun / personal edification Python is a nice language (and portable too).
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I might actually be interested in this - some knowledge with Python would lend itself well to working with Lua, which could mean i would be able to create my own Conky configs rather than copying and pasting. Kind of a small reason but... where to start? :D
 
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