Computer Programming Questions!?

Question

Hi,
I need some help sorting which language i should learn first. I'm kind of leaning towards Python atm, but I already have a program for C/C++. I have no prior knowledge to any languages and do not know which type of programming ill be doing in the future.
Looking for one that will introduce me to the basic concepts and stuffz,
Links are greatly appreciated and any helpful comments are Great!
Thanks for reading.
~~~Please and Thank you upfront~~~

Answer 1

Java is a very good first language because it introduces you to the concepts of programming. You can use NetBeans to program well with it. You can find it here - http://netbeans.org/downloads/index.html - just get the Java SE version, or the All if you want.



Of course, you can't really just run strait into it, so here is a good tutorial for Java, made by the people who created it - http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/



After that, it will be much easier to learn pretty much every other programming language because you have the basic ideas behind it and pretty good ideas about syntax. The first one is always the easiest :)



If you have any questions about programming (once you get into it) you can let me know and I will help you out - [e-mail]

Answer 2

I would suggest Java.

Why?

1. Suitable for both computer desktop and network programming.

2. Java is multi-platform. A program written on a Windows desktop will run on a Macintosh or Unix platform, such as Linux or Sun Solaris. In addition Java provides a quick learning curve to other Java technologies, such as Java Web Server, Java Mobile and Java Embedded. Put another way Java is always Java.

3. Very secure. The Java Security Model restricts network programs (applets and JNLP) to reading from the network unless the applet has been given explicit permission via the Policy Tool for greater access to such resources as the local disk drive, the clipboard, etc. In addition the special zip files called jar files that store your Java programs can be digitally signed and verified.

4. Java is the only language with multi-threading capability built right in.

5. Java is object orientated, which mean that it supports the concepts of inheritance, encapsulation and polymorphism.

6. Java has lots of built in classes to make your life easier. For example the javax.swing.JEditorPane will accept input of either text or HTML then parse and display this content just like your web browser does. XML can also be parsed. The java.util.Collections class provides functionality such as sorting, shuffling and finding the min and max values from a list.

7. Java provides excellent database connectivity.

Answer 3

Start with Java using NetBeans (free)

Then move to C# using Visual Studio (not free)

Then learn some PHP or Python if you wish



If you know Java or C#, you will be very employable.



Edit: C and C++ are outdated. If you want to move from C# to C++, it won't be terribly hard, but you will have to learn to do the things manually that C# does for you.



In Java and C#, the garbage collector handles memory. In C++ and C, you have to manage memory more directly (C is even more direct than C++). Just as there are people who will tell you that you don't really know how to drive unless you drive a stick, there are people (usually people who started on C or C++) who will tell you that managing memory yourself is better. The reason C# exists is so that you don't have this burden, and this has made C# replace C and C++ in most commercial uses.

Answer 4

C++

=

Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup

- An Introduction to Programming by the Inventor of C++

- http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Principles-Practice-Using-C/dp/0321543726/

=

Code::Blocks == Open Source C/C++ IDE

- - codeblocks-10.05mingw-setup.exe

- http://www.codeblocks.org/downloads/binaries

=

Tutorials online:

- http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/

- http://www.learncpp.com/

=

Free EBooks:

Thinking in C++ 2nd Edition by Bruce Eckel

Volume 1

- http://www.linuxtopia.org/online_books/programming_books/thinking_in_c++/index.html

Volume 2

- http://www.linuxtopia.org/online_books/programming_books/c++_practical_programming/index.html