First time programming

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mlivvy

n00b
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
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What do you guys recommend as a source to quickly learn programming without any background? I've found a bunch of ebooks and youtube channels but don't know which one is considered better than others. I'll be taking a intro to VB basic class tonight.
 
Why VB? This is a dead language(even VB.NET) with syntax dissimilar to anything out there right now.

Just about any book will be fine.
 
It is better to take programming theory classes. Doesn't really matter what language they are in.
 
First thing VB or VB.net is not dead language. In the electronic manufacturing and engineering, VB is widely used more than other languages because for quick test routine development, it is so easy and fast. We do have extensive test routines in Java and LabWIndows. I started C in LabWindows. A friend this year used VB for setup routines on his product support in telephone/network business.

C++ and C#. I found that the Microsoft books were really good, and for C/C++ I use Bjarne Stroustrup version 3-4 as structure support. But I am a noobie when it comes to programming but do have good skills in the hardware area.
 
VB.NET isn't dead.. but there's probably a lot of people that wish it was :D

Syntax is ugly.. Java or C# would have nicer syntax, do C if you'd rather get down and dirty and avoid object oriented programming. I'm gonna suggest C#, but you can do anything
 
enieves137 said:
First thing VB or VB.net is not dead language. In the electronic manufacturing and engineering, VB is widely used more than other languages because for quick test routine development, it is so easy and fast. We do have extensive test routines in Java and LabWIndows. I started C in LabWindows. A friend this year used VB for setup routines on his product support in telephone/network business.

C++ and C#. I found that the Microsoft books were really good, and for C/C++ I use Bjarne Stroustrup version 3-4 as structure support. But I am a noobie when it comes to programming but do have good skills in the hardware area.
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Being used in a very niche community doesn't make it alive and kicking.
 
mlivvy said:
What do you guys recommend as a source to quickly learn programming without any background? I've found a bunch of ebooks and youtube channels but don't know which one is considered better than others. I'll be taking a intro to VB basic class tonight.
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Since you have not specified what you'd like to eventually *do* with some custom programming, it's tough to suggest a starting language. Just go through the class you signed up for, keep an open mind, and feel free to post questions in this forum -- as long as you've shown proof of what you've tried to overcome the problem you're posting. (See sticky for details.)

Good luck with the class!
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! A little info..

I'm majoring in CIT and getting an associates in science at the end of this semester. The school focused more on networking the past few years and we did 0 programming. Upon researching some universities to get my bachelors I find out that most schools do alot of programming. I just wanted to learn atleast the basics incase I get hit with some tough classes. I've been reading a bit online and I think I shouldve'd taken the C++ class instead. I'm 33 so I don't really have alot of time to learn all these new languages but I'd like to know the basics.
 
aL Mac said:
VB.NET isn't dead.. but there's probably a lot of people that wish it was :D
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Best thing I've read all day!

VB isn't that bad. I much prefer the cleaner syntax of C# myself, but VB is no less powerful. For a noob the syntax of VB is probably easier to get their head around ('end if' rather than '}'), but the extra verbosity gets boring after a while. Feels a bit like programming with stabilisers. The real problem with VB is that lot's of non-programmer use it.. :eek:

It doesn't really matter what language what language you start with. They all have their own pro's and con's, some much better suited to different tasks than others. Just don't be afraid to try a new language once in a while.
 
As a long time VB developer that moved to VB.Net then moved to C#, I gotta say I really hate going back to VB.Net to work on some old projects. The syntax is so clunky compared to the much more elegant C#, especially when it comes to things like lambda expressions.
 
Stroustrup's Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ is an interesting introduction to programming. Though it's a C++-oriented book, it's aimed at teaching programming through C++, which makes it more of a "core concepts" guide.

Note that the book was written in the C++98 days, and today's C++ should be approached differently to be most effective, but that's really the main caveat. The basic concepts are largely universal to imperative programming in general. Also note that it's really an academia-destined textbook, so it's not what you use as a means of quickly getting an understanding of the concepts. It's fairly lengthy and something you should take your time with.
 
Thanks alot for all the suggestions. I decided to speak to an advisor at both schools (college and university) before taking the programming class. In the meantime i've been watching youtube videos and doing some reading.
 
I like C#. There is a ton of documentation and its syntax is not too verbose. VB.NET is tiring to type (it's like typing full sentences).
 
I suggest learning to script instead of a hardcore language such as C or C++, which are real programming languages that pretty much let you build anything. Start out with web or app development. For scripting I suggest learning python and use it to build web apps as its more efficient than most scripting languages. Ruby on Rails is an alternative option. It's simplified. Finally, the last resort, PHP.
 
mizaco said:
I suggest learning to script instead of a hardcore language such as C or C++, which are real programming languages that pretty much let you build anything. Start out with web or app development. For scripting I suggest learning python and use it to build web apps as its more efficient than most scripting languages. Ruby on Rails is an alternative option. It's simplified. Finally, the last resort, PHP.
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lol wat?
 
mizaco said:
I suggest learning to script instead of a hardcore language such as C or C++, which are real programming languages that pretty much let you build anything.
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You should describe for what reasons you'd suggest learning on a scripting language versus more complex static languages.

mizaco said:
Ruby on Rails is an alternative option.
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Ruby on Rails isn't a programming language.
 
I suggest.... join a GitHub project that is active (doesn't matter which language, C, Java, C# are all fine languages) and participate.

Start by getting the project to build. Then start reviewing code and understanding what it does.

Then start submitting your own code and have it reviewed.
 
Grazehell said:
lol wat?
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Could do worse, I learned to code in COBOL. As others have said, the language, syntax and libraries are all secondary to learning the core concepts, patterns and theories. Once you know how to code, picking up a new language isn't very difficult.

VB.net is a good language to start with, the syntax is intuitive and easy to learn. You're learning how to program, I wouldn't worry about picking a language that has commercial value. By the time you have marketable skills, you'll know at least 2-3 languages anyway.

Scripting languages are very useful tools, but not sure they are a good primer to learn programming with. I suppose you could, but I don't see any reason to start with scripting. If anything the procedural nature may make for a confusing transition to object oriented programming.
 
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