Starting to learn programing need some advice

[Bluemike]

Hi

i just started to learn programing at college and just woundering if anyone got some usful links on the basics i have done the hello world one in the application console thats was fun changing the text so it display something else lol.

so yea usful links anyone got any thanx

 

[Haly]

What language?
And have a look at the sticky, fair amount of tutorials for most of the popular programming languages.

 

[MrWhippy]

here's a tip regarding books on programming.

good programming books (and there are loads of bad ones) fall into two categories, begginers guides, and reference books.

reference books are almost useless for beginners as the new coder often doesn't know what it is he doesn't know. hence he can't use a reference book to help.

conversely, beginners guides are almost useless for anyone beyond beginner level. they're too basic and often badly structured for anything other than a novice.

so the tip is:

don't buy a beginners guide to [insert language here], borrow one from a library. as soon as you outgrow the beginners guide, go buy a decent reference book.

 

[maddad68]

Programming for Dummy's

Google is your friend

 

[lokkers]

A language would help

If its one of the Visual Studio range (C#, VB, C++), check out the Express editions. They're basically a lite version of full Visual Studio, completely free, and come with downloadable beginners guides. I found them a useful start.

 

[Inquisitor]

here's a tip regarding books on programming.

good programming books (and there are loads of bad ones) fall into two categories, begginers guides, and reference books.

reference books are almost useless for beginners as the new coder often doesn't know what it is he doesn't know. hence he can't use a reference book to help.

conversely, beginners guides are almost useless for anyone beyond beginner level. they're too basic and often badly structured for anything other than a novice.

so the tip is:

don't buy a beginners guide to [insert language here], borrow one from a library. as soon as you outgrow the beginners guide, go buy a decent reference book.

Roughly speaking, yes, although some books are more in-depth guides to a language. Borrowing from a library could be problematic as they might not have the most up to date version of the book you want.

I'd recommend buying a decent, chunky programming guide, in your language of choice (I used Beginning Visual C# 2005, which is very good, and covers a few more advanced aspects of the language), and then, once you're comfortable enough with the language that you don't have to refer to the beginner's guide all the time, buy a nice big reference book