Want to learn Programming: Where do I start?
- Thread starter jax_5
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What platform are you looking at?
If Android, then for basic apps Java will be the place to start.
If iOS, you'll want something like Objective C.
Windows Phone 7, C# is what you need.
For applications on your computer running on Win32/Linux, I would suggest C/C++ is an excellent way to start. Many will recommend starting with an easier language though such as Java/C#.
If you're looking to get developing as fast as possible, go for Java/C#. You'll learn far more from C/C++, but it'll take longer to start developing full applications of your own.
Also with Java/C#, the skill will transfer immediately over to developing for Android/WP7.
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Thanks, that's really helpful 
How about WebOS?
Based on your response I think I'll begin with the Java & C# route. Any recommendations of resources with which to start (books etc)? I prefer step-by-step/example based guides rather than anything too wordy. Cheers
How about WebOS?
Based on your response I think I'll begin with the Java & C# route. Any recommendations of resources with which to start (books etc)? I prefer step-by-step/example based guides rather than anything too wordy. Cheers
Soldato
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How about just creating a basic Android app? I'm not an expert in Android, but what's to stop you going straight to it?
Rgds
Rgds
"Objects First with Java" fits your description quite well. It will give you a nice foundation to build upon. It doesn't assume knowledge and concepts are expressed very clearly. The IDE that comes with it is also brilliant for beginners.
I imagine he could but Java is used quite a lot to teach programming concepts to beginners so there's a lot of information available for these type of people.
Thanks, that's really helpful
How about WebOS?
Based on your response I think I'll begin with the Java & C# route. Any recommendations of resources with which to start (books etc)? I prefer step-by-step/example based guides rather than anything too wordy. Cheers
Never worked with WebOS before myself. It looks like you have a choice between C/C++ and using the 'mojo' framework, which utilises scripting languages. Hopefully someone more experienced will be able to give you more info on that.
Agreed with sniffy's suggestion w.r.t. Java. For C#, have a browse on the msdn library. There's a whole load of resources to help you get started. It's probably worth just picking one out of the two dependent on the platform you want to target. You can always learn more programming languages later on
.Absolutely nothing to be fair, but I would suggest it's worth having at least a basic understanding of the syntax and OO in Java before learning to work with Android.
If you want to learn C# I highly recommend this book (free download ):
http://www.robmiles.com/c-yellow-book/
It starts from the absolute beginning and covers some quite advanced stuff later on. There is also another book there based on XNA/WP7 development.
):http://www.robmiles.com/c-yellow-book/
It starts from the absolute beginning and covers some quite advanced stuff later on. There is also another book there based on XNA/WP7 development.
Hi again
What are your opinions on Meego and QT?
Plus they are offering a lot of training materials: http://qt.nokia.com/developer/learning/online/training
What are your opinions on Meego and QT?
Plus they are offering a lot of training materials: http://qt.nokia.com/developer/learning/online/training
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Associate
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If your aim is to produce mobile apps I'd suggest following the crowd and sticking with Android. I've been playing with the Qt framework for a while and really enjoy it but I doubt it's ever going to be as popular as the Android platform.
From watching the videos it seems the Qt sdk would be an easier start for me. I just want to produce a one simple free app and offer it across the major mobile OS's.
How do you find Android in comparison to Qt?
For what I wish to do (one single app) I think you're right. I should at least try and go "straight to it"
Associate
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I don't think MeeGo is going to let you produce a single app that will run across the major mobile platforms(Qt on the desktop will let you write for Windows/Linux/OS X from the same source code).
I've not written for Android though have used Java so can't really give you an accurate comparison. I'd just say that if you are going to sink a lot of time and effort into a language/platform go for something popular where you can find lots of support(not to mention that Java has many uses beyond Android).
Associate
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Grab thinking in java by bruce eckel, you can get the ebook free online, starting with a managed languaged is a good idea. Develop Android apps, there is a lot of awesome free documentation and by the end of the summer you'll be pretty pro if you pick stuff up as fast as you say you do. After summer, pick up thinking in C++ by bruce eckel, get into the Android NDK, you won't regret it, android is the platform you want to be learning.
Soldato
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python?