Please suggest a good introductory programming course/studybook for me?

Question

Hi. I'm going to college this September (yay!) and I'm majoring in Computer Engineering. The school highly recommends that I take an introductory programming course in high school/summer, or else waste some units taking the optional introductory programming course during my first year.

Problems: My school does not offer computer programming courses. I can't do it this summer either because it is too late to register at my local community college AND I'm not going to have the time to take a class anyway.

I was wondering if anybody could suggest some good coursebooks/studybooks that I can do independent study on to grasp the course decently well. I have friends who have taken programming classes so they can help me out if possible. I just went to a bookstore and was kinda fazed by the variety of coursebooks there, so I want some knowledgeable opinions.

Please suggest a few books that you could recommend to me. It's an Introductory Programming course, so please don't toss like C++ at me.. heh. Maybe 2-3 recommended books in case I can't find a book there?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

look at this site,

http://www.programmingtutorials.com/c.aspx

Answer 2

I was exactly in your spot a year ago. Everyone always said Java or whatever, but I found it a little complicated. I'm now in a programming class, and I really recommend learning Visual Basic using Visual Studio Express if you can find a steady stream of tutorials. This would of course just learn about concepts, syntax wise I would also recommend Java. Also protip: Don't do iOS. The SDK costs like a hundred dollars, plus they charge you for uploaded apps. Do Android (Java). It's all free. Also another protip: Look up Thenewboston on youtube. Best Java tutorials around. protip v3: If you really feel like going all out, I bought a book for teaching kids programming and it teaches Python really simply and it came with an e-book. Shoot me your e-mail if you want it.

Answer 3

I would highly recommend you start by youtubing Stanfords Programming Methodology course. The entire course is available online, as are the course materials on Standford's website. It's a good primer for getting started in software engineering, and assumes you're starting with no knowledge of programming or program design, whatsoever. The course itself is taught using Java.



As for langauges, you shouldn't be leary of learning C++ or any other language. Programming concepts and good software engineering principles are not language specific. Different programming languages are just different forms of syntax. It's the concepts and implementation you employ that are important.



If you're not interested in the Stanford course, and want to go the book route, Microsoft's (Insert Language Here) for Absolute Beginners are great books. They start out by teaching you the basics, programming mostly games as examples. From simple console applications, (like programming a text-based snow ball fight game) to object oriented windows applications.



Another good starting point is MSDN, there are multiple express version of Visual Studio, free to download, with video tutorials and training to go along with them. (e.g. Visual C# Express). Kid's Corner would be the best place to start if you have no previous programming experience.



I would strongly recommend you stay away from "O'reilly" books and "In a nutshell", books. In my experience, even the learning series (meant for beginners) are very pedantic and manage to overcomplicate very simple ideas, or assume you know concepts that no beginner ever would. Basically, if it looks like a desk reference, stat away from it, as that's the fastest way to zone out and get discouraged.

Answer 4

well, to be honest, a lot of intro programming classes start out with C++.



however, I started with matlab, its a pretty good intro level language, the only problem, is that matlab costs a lot of money to own.



you best bet is to use Dr.Scheme.

It uses an interpreter, so you dont need to purchase any additional compiler....The software is FREE, along with the book...Dr.Scheme is used in universities all over...and its a pretty good intro language.



link

http://www.plt-scheme.org/

Answer 5

I would look around on Amazon and check out other readers comments. Here is the link I found for you!



http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=programming+course+study+guide

Answer 6

Go to and take the A+ Certification Course, it will make you savy and ready for anything throw at you in your course...



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Answer 7

let us c - yashavant kanetkar - good c programming book for beginners..