Time to get serious about computer programming but just 2 questions?

Question

Hey all,

As you probably guessed from the noob-related title, I am a jack of all trades (if you can even call me that) and I have quite little knowledge about Programming. I can write simple HTML & CSS. I can dabble in Actionscript 2, and I have studied Phython for a little while.

However, I have set myself up with the subjects relevant to take Computer Programming at University when the opportunity arises, but I have a few questions about Programming and Hacking in general.

1. Is Python any good to learn?
I'v heard for a range of different sources that Python is the language to start on, but it's just not interesting, I mean if I wanted to write out a list for it to print back to me, it's great, but for GUI more related stuff it's not too grand. Or maybe I'm not exploring it to it's full potential?. I would like to hear you thoughts on a beginner programming language..

2. Linux
Linux = hackers paradise but I find it too deep for a beginner. I'v tried DreamLinux and I've tried Ubuntu, but I always resort back to Windows because I do like my GUI, my iTunes and Google Chrome. However I do want to start operating my computer through Command related methods.
Is Ms-Dos still worth learning at this day and age on a windows machine? Or is it much more beneficial to spend my time learning how to operate Linux's terminal?
I want to be able to start my machine up with a [kill explorer.exe] command and still use my computer as normal.

Basically any information about getting into a good computer understanding and environment to be able to start the foundations of good computer knowledge.

Please do not post if you don't have anything nice to contribute, please do not flame me, I want some serious answers and links to relevant sources if you have any.
Thanks a lot everyone.

Shiner

Answer 1

1) Python is great, and it will do GUI easily, if you import the proper pre-written libraries. Just Google "Python GUI library".



Your problem with finding it uninteresting is related to the programs you are trying to write, not the language. If you've got a interesting problem to solve, any language is fun. If the problem is boring, ...you can guess the rest.



One particular way in which Python is good is that when you've made a change, retrying the program is so easy.



2) Learning some command-line stuff is good, because it's much closer to the nuts-and-bolts of how computers work than a GUI will ever be. Don't bother with MS-DOS specifically - you will never use it. Learn both Linux and Windows command line - in particular try doing the same thing in each to get the differences clear in your head - and learn some of the ways command-line methods are better. (Example: in Windows, copying large numbers of files is far faster in the command line than in the GUI)

Answer 2

1) Python

Don't know much about python myself, but see link below. From that, it sounds like wxPython is what you would want to use.



My personal preference for GUI work is C#, although VB.NET would be just as good (I just prefer C# as a language). The Visual Studio IDE make if very easy to quickly throw together a GUI in the visual designer. Then you just wire up code to it.



2) Linux/MS-DOS

Yeah, Linux shell scripting isn't the easiest thing, but it is very powerful.

It's certainly worth learning some basic CMD stuff in Windows. There are certain things that I find much easier to do from a cmd prompt rather than through Windows. But it is a pretty awful scripting language, no where near the power Linux.

If you want the power of Bash on Windows, you need to use the windows Power Shell. Powerful, but not easy to learn (IMHO).



At this point, for you, there is nothing wrong with dabbling in different things. You don't have to become an expert in anything yet. So try different things and see which ones interest you the most. Don't expect things to always be easy: programming can be very challenging at times.



Also: You don't really have to chose between Linux or Windows. Assuming you have a decent machine, you can keep Windows, but play with Linux in a virtual machine running under Windows. See second link for a good, free Virtual Machine.



HTH

Answer 3

1. Python -

Python is a great first language to learn as it is dynamic. You do not need to worry about compiling it and debugging it yourself[too much].



It's very easy to read and understand as it is close to English and it is user friendly, all you have to do is open up IDLE and there you go !



If you want to get into more complicated programming languages etc. then I recommend you learn the basics first, and Python is great for that.



As for GUI in Python, check out Tkinter.

>>>From Tkinter import *

It will be built in to your IDLE.



2.Linux -

Linux is a very powerful OS, which gives the user far more control over their console than Windows or Mac.

If you want to dabble in Linux I would recommend Ubuntu. It's easy and it's GUI, Gnome, is very windows like (or at least you can customise it to be windows like).



So, if you want, you can use it without using the command line. Once you gain more experience then you will start using the command line and realise it's benefits.



The thing with Linux is, more software is supported currently than ever has been before so many things do come ready to run on Linux.

For iTunes, there re many alternatives. Rhythymbox, which I'm sure comes with Ubuntu, will let you listen to music and add/remove songs from your ipod.

Google Chrome is also supported by Ubuntu (Web browsers are generally free and opensource).

Answer 4

I have run Ubuntu for almost a year and it comes with it's own GUI that is very Windows-like. i rarely drop to the command line. I think I have done so maybe 10 times in the last year.

Python is a great first language to learn. I am finding it pretty easy to start. Get a good book. I bought Head First Programming which I highly recommend, but there are a number of free books on the Internet as well that are decent. Google 'Think Python'. It's a free Python textbook.