should i learn to program?

Question

I'm 15 and want to learn to program but I'm not sure how hard it is and if I will be able to do it. I'm not sure what language either, JavaScript? Apparently maths is important though I was very successful in maths last year scoring 90's in my yearly exam. So should I? Is it boring? How long until it's enjoyable?

Answer 1

You'll be able to do it.

Like most computer skills, writing code has an extremely low entry barrier.

The problem is that to become a true hacker (in the good sense) takes a extremely long time, a lot of knowledge, the right mindset, and a heap of natural talent. Low entry barrier, high mastery barrier.

I can't pretend to be very good.



The connection between maths and code is not in mathematics itself, it's in the logic behind it.

Programming software is an engineering discipline; it _requires_ the ability to keep in mind entire systems while focusing at the same time on a microscopic level -- the instructions you will give to the computer are by necessity explicitly detailed, as is always the case when working with what is fundamentally a pattern machine.

The only time you'll need real math is when you're dealing with purpose-built software: 3-D code and statistics apps, and of course when you write code to solve your calculus homework and print the steps.



If you feel that you're strong conceptually in maths, you'll have no problem. But if you memorize to pass, you might have an issue.



Many say (IMO rightly so) that some people cannot program.

I believe to be a decent programmer you have to have a certain mindset -- once again, very conceptually strong, logical, because your code is a layer of indirection, an abstraction. Some think that most programmers are pedants, but that's okay.



But I think that if you have the initiative to learn, that's a good sign. By all means, I suggest that you should try it, at least. Everyone should.



For me, it was fun _immediately_.

I write code almost professionally, generally getting work (freelancing and contractual) by word-of-mouth and by those using or examining my own side projects...



So, I recommend that you _do_ learn. If you don't like it, you'll never use it.



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What language you use depends so much on what you want to do with your programs.



From a purely didactic standpoint, I would suggest C++ as a first language, and I've got a developed rationale for that.



I suggest that you edit your question to specify what you hope to create, so we can maybe point you in the right direction...



Please realize immediately that there is nothing that you can do with C++ that you can't with Haskell, or with JavaScript: they're all equally capable in their domain. But as tools, they can be better suited for one problem than another:

I would rather use Haskell for symbolically evaluating very complicated mathematics, but I would rather use C++ for 3D, and Python for UI design, and fast and easy stuff... It all depends on what you want to do.



Good luck.

Answer 2

Sure, why not? Anyone can write hello_world().



JavaScript is a scripting language that only runs inside a web browser (well, almost only).

Try something like C++ or Perl or Java that has a reasonable debugger.

On a command-line the smallest program you can write is trivial to do. In a graphical environment it's a bit more complex (or the tools import a lot of stuff you won't understand, even if it was simple to click and build).



Maths is't that important; everyone uses libraries for stuff like trig functions and sorting and matrix multiplication. Of course if you want to program some geometrical functions or differential equations to solve some problem it helps if you know what you are doing, but if you just want to add columns of numbers or print text you don't need it.

Boring ? Enjoyable ? That depends on you. If you don't like maths or puzzles then I guess it's not for you, but many people get satisfaction from building something that works, whether it's a program or a rabbit hutch.

Answer 3

First off, math isn't necessarily important in programming. It all depends what the program needs to do. if you are making a program that calculates nuclear physics, than yeah, there is going to be math involved, but if you are say, programming a simple 2d game, then there will only be basic math (simple multiplication) unless you are doing something really complex that requires it.



But yes, you should learn to program, i am 16, and have been programming since i was 11 (game maker). As for how long it takes to get fun, it all depends on what you are programming. are you programming something fun like a game? or are you doing something boring?



Codecademy is a great place to start, but be warned, it's far from perfect. Because there isn't human interactions, you will learn allot, but there will be those moments were your program should work, but because everyone programs differently, it might not match up with what they have, and therefor not allow your program to pass. I havn't been able to finish an entire course yet.



as for the language, it all depends what you want to do. if you want to program games, then i would recommend C++, or as an introduction, learn GameMaker (be warned, it does use a proprietary programming language GML that you won't be able to use anywhere else). If you are just starting out, i would suggest learning Python first as it will teach you the basics of organization.



It really doesn't matter what language you learn first though, as once you learn one, it is not even a challenge to learn another one.

Answer 4

I started programming when I was 15. It's fun if you like challenging yourself, but it is rewarding to see a program you worked hard on come together. Programming is very mathematical, but for the most part you only need basic algebra skills. Programming and math are extremely logical and people who do well in one often do well in the other, that's usually why people recommend math skills.



As for language, I would recommend Java or C#. They're high-level languages (meaning they look a lot more like English), so they're easier to learn, it takes less code to get things done, and they are less bug-prone for beginners.

Answer 5

I tried learning Quick Basic on my own, I went to the local library and read books on it, and it seems to me, that any programming language you try to learn, the books will show you examples, and you have to figure out how to take the commands, and apply them into what you want, it's a pain.



A friend of mine went to college, and ended up learning C++. He taught me a few basics, but I lost interest in it. Then 2 years ago, I understood how to do some simple programming in Quick Basic, but the only programs I could ever write, in C++ and in Quick Basic were text based games.



If you're looking to just, up and write a program, it'll be very difficult, unless you have the patience to sit there and figure out just about every last single command. There are probably people out there, who can go right at it, and write a program in 2 to 5 minutes, but I'm not one of the gifted, so it's entirely up to you.



For me, it was fun for a little while, but got boring quick.

Answer 6

I do it a lot on codecademy.com it is fun but really hard to figure out at first. It might just be me because I stared 3 years ago when I was 10. So far I haven't needed to use much math but who knows. I have only learned the basics but it is way fun. Codecademy mostly just teaches you things to make a web page, but you can do more with it. The languages it offers is HTML, CSS, JQuery, JavaScript, Python, PHP, and Ruby

Answer 7

The best way to start programming is to have an idea. Anything.



Then you need to pick a language and a platform.



If you wanna start with simple website applications, you can use PERL(CGI) theirs allot of sample code out there and the language is somewhat simple to use.



Javascript is okay, but it runs on the users machine and not on the host. So it has allot of limitations.



If you have a MAC, learn Xcode and start making iPhone apps. It's mostly visual and theirs allot of tutorials on youtube as well as sample code on the web.



Being good in math at school and coding are very opposite. Coding is like math and vision on crack. You need to visualize a product and code towards it.



I would say coding is more like learning a new language. I know people great at math and they just can't stand the idea of coding software. They are similar but yet opposites.



It's easy, but you will need tonnes of patiences and allot of times on your hands. I self thought myself over 15 languages since I was 8 years old. It's all about having an idea and following through.

Answer 8

Whether you find programming enjoyable or not will depend on your personality. Do you have any interest in it at all already? If you do, go for it. It's better to start this stuff early. Before you know it, you'll be codon in CSS and HTML like they're your native language.

Answer 9

Programming is not very difficult.



Start with a simple programming language. Try Python as it is easy to learn, have straight forward syntax and help you to get yourself into coding.



Some good online resources for learning it-



http://docs.python.org/2/tutorial/



http://www.tutorialspoint.com/python/index.htm

Answer 10

No. It was very boring and there was no change for two decades. You can't wait until bore.