If someone wanted to learn programming...?

Question

which program should he or she start out with. I am talking about computer programming.

Answer 1

I would actually say perl, even though it's not as useful as BASIC was. BASIC was Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. It was simple and straightforward enough for non-specialists to use and once Apple-Basic (NOT MS/GW Basic provided graphics extensions powerful enough to give rise to the original Gaming Industry (look up Steven Levy's book Hackers). Perl doesn't have graphics but you can learn how to work with data types like characters, integers and strings, with control structures like if and for and most of what you need to understand how computer programs store and process data. It allows you to learn what the commands mean by giving you an environment where you can try them out RIGHT NOW from the command line and then you can write them into a program file which you can then run all at once. An interpreter such as perl is much easier to wrap your head around than a compiler such as a GCC or Visual Studio. Java and Python have similarly high learning curves. I'd say perl.

Answer 2

Java or C++



Java will be easier, but C++ is more powerful. Both are about equal in what they do good and what they do bad.



Do not start out with an easier language such as C#, VB, Dark Basic, or something similar. There is just no point. If you are going to be programming for a long time to come, it's much better to have a solid foundation with the more solid languages.



If Java or C++ is too much for you, you could go to C#. VB or anything else is terrible. I don't recommend it. I started with C++ and I am a much better programmer because of it.

Answer 3

I learned programming from the original GW basic. But things have modernized a bit. If you wanted to cut to the chase, learn C. This will get you started. Most software is done in C now.

Answer 4

If you are looking for an actual compiler, go for Visual Studio 2010 Express. It can be downloaded for free from Microsoft's website. It deals heavily in C, C#, C++ and Visual Basic. Good luck!

Answer 5

Whichever one you think you can grasp. I started with HTML, which was and is still pointless to learn.