Which language should I learn?

Zerk

2010-12-19 13:52:42 UTC

The best way to learn a language is picking a language that

1. you have easy access to

2. will help you build a project you're excited about.

Some common languages actually used in the workplace, and some thoughts on what to expect in learning them as a first:

Java: nice industry language, tho it's libraries can be a bit clunky. Consider using an IDE like Eclipse from the get-go, as it makes development and debugging more intuitional. You might want to check out the Apache Commons after playing with the basics.

C#: Can't speak as much to this, but the libraries and initial learning curve seem better.

PHP: if you have a little website or a Mac you probably already have this setup and ready to go! Very easy to start off with a basic application, but takes some discipline to not develop sloppy programming habits.

Python: good for making clean looking scripts and tools. Also takes a little discipline to not cut corners or be sloppy.

Javascript: NOT RECOMMENDED as a first programming language. It can be a cool web development tool, but makes it very difficult to actually learn programming. If you are really excited about doing Javascript, be sure to check out jQuery and save yourself some headaches!

2010-12-19 13:20:45 UTC

It mostly depends on what you want to do. If I were you, I'd learn some Java first, before you learn something humongous like Objective C, or C++, just because Java is more something like an easy programming language, developed by Sun Microsystems for educational purposes and easy applications, games, servlets, etc. Before you get into real 2D-3D graphics design, applets or JFrames, I'd recommend to watch some tutorials on YouTube, for example thenewboston.com has tons of videos you learn from in even 1 week!

On the other side, you have those programming languages that you can use to program an operating system, like C++, or Objective C, (the iOS, or Mac OSX is coded in this language/s), these are useful if you want to program for some companies like BankOfAmerica, people that are focused on more database, bookkeeping companies, etc, - the more "security companies or folks" as I'd say.

green meklar

2010-12-19 14:03:13 UTC

It depends on several factors. What do you want to do with programming? What kind of learning curve are you looking for? Do you know any kind of computer language already?

I would suggest Javascript or Java as being a couple of good options to start with (note that they are NOT the same thing). Javascript is easier to learn and use, but slower, less powerful, and you have to know some HTML to use it properly. Java is faster and more powerful, but harder to learn and you have to put more effort in to get good results.

I recommend AGAINST starting with C, C++, C#, Visual Basic or Python, for various reasons.

2010-12-19 13:21:34 UTC

If you want to learn programming, learn programming. Learning a language is learning something to do programming in, it's not learning programming. Start with http://www-old.oberon.ethz.ch/WirthPubl/AD.pdf You're not going to learn programming "over the break". Expect to spend about 6 months learning the basics.

jplatt39

2010-12-19 14:00:36 UTC

If you are going to dip your toes into programming, I would definitely suggest something simple. At this point, since everything has so many bells and whistles nothing is simple anymore. I would say try this:

http://www.realsoftware.com/realstudio/

It actually IS one of the best languages out there. Try something simple. Create and input an array of numbers, and sort them, largest to smallest or smallest to largest -- or both. That should take you through break.

2010-12-19 13:22:00 UTC

Depends on what you want to do but usually you start out with xhtml/css/javascript/php in that order.

You can learn all of these languages and more at http://www.w3schools.com/.

Also, html5 is the new thing these days so once you get a grasp of regular xhtml, you might want to start venturing into html5.

2010-12-19 13:24:22 UTC

There are so many but I'd do webpages!!!

You need no software except notepad which is on EVERY windows computer

You need to learn HTML (body, mainframe).

http://www.w3schools.com/html/

After that CSS (style, color, format).

http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp

Then Javascript (clicking, interactivity).

http://www.w3schools.com/js/default.asp

Coding is really fun and after you learn the basics, it come naturally. You can make these files in notepad and when you save, you change the save type from txt to *. Then you save it as "webpage.html" and you can open it in internet explorer or anything. For example copy and paste this to start

First Page

Hello world, this is my first webpage

paste into notepad and when you click save, where it says "Save as type: Text Documents *.txt"

click it and change it to "All Files" and then in the box type in "page.html" and save it onto your desktop, then double-click it and it should open up a webpage that says "Hello world, this is my first webpage"

daymont

2016-09-16 04:53:10 UTC

Some father and mother real consider so... "Do you consider my child will likely be equipped to translate for us after we move on a cruise to Mexico?", "I wish my son to research Spanish in order that he can take our trade on llamas"..... (one million) Most of the days, scholars take a latest language simply to get the credit in order that they are able to move to a pretigious university. Period. I am no longer announcing that this was once your case, however that is what occurs in everyday existence. I am from Spain, I educate PAP Spanish in Texas and lots of of my scholars take my magnificence to get the ones further elements. Now, do they talk in Spanish with their different university friends (both Hispanic or non-Hispanic ones) after magnificence? No. Do they watch Spanish TV systems? No. Do they learn in Spanish frequently? No. Do they NEED Spanish for existence (soliciting for guidelines, going browsing, shopping drugs)? Of path no longer. If we watch a film, I realize they'll question me, "Do we need to watch it in Spanish?". If I provide an explanation for some thing in Spanish, I gets to listen to , "IN ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!!!!" (two) A very low percent will likely be real considering studying the language. I preserve on jogging into my scholars in exceptional locations round the city and they're not able to comply with a elementary, useful dialog. Awesome children, satisfactory grades, however deficient oral abilities. Which leads me to the truth that as they don't seem to be immersed within the language all day lengthy, being at school for fifty-fifty five mins isn't going to cause them to bilingual. When I was once at school, we needed to converse in English always (no excuse), such a lot in order that even professors anticipated that when university hours, at the coach again house...... (three) Take the instance of Hispanic children within the US, for instance. They are surrounded through the language always, besides probably at house: university, peers, retail outlets, health care provider; they even translate for father and mother at an early age...they quite must gain knowledge of the language for existence; thence, there's a truly cause. And very almost always, they need to gain knowledge of it rapid too in the event that they wish to move their checks and get promoted for the following yr. So sure, I trust you. The first time I traveled overseas I stayed with an English household for a yr. Did I decide on a massive town? Not quite! I desired to be remoted and a ways clear of any feasible Spanish talking individual in an effort to LIVE in English and to quite know the way a lot English I knew.... and permit me let you know I'd alternatively select being overseas for only a month alternatively than training verb conjugations at university for a complete yr.

2010-12-19 13:43:43 UTC

if you want to create web applications ... use ASP.net with VB.NET or C# its great , so easy and very powerful

if you want to create Windows Application .. use C#

and try to have a look at the new technology Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)