Hi,

I want to start learning some basic programming and would like to know where to start? I want to learn all aspects of it, but specifically learn about creating my own programs and debugging. Some links to tutorials would be great. I know GeekstoGo has some tutorials, but I'm not sure where to start at. Please advise.

Cheers!

ddiddy40,
I have added a few links of sites have used in the past to get an introduction to various languages.


C
http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/languages/c/program...brown/c_000.htm

Visual Basic
http://www.vbtutor.net/vbtutor.html

Visual Basic for Applications
http://www.exceltip.com/st/Writing_Your_Fi..._Excel/631.html

Java
http://www.javascriptguide.com/intro.htm
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/ge...java/win32.html

HTML
http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Guide/

Various
http://www.hitmill.com/programming/


HTH

dsm

Does it matter where I start? Do I need to learn something first so the rest will make sense? Or can I start with any programming language?

I started learning Visual Basic I haven't really learned all of it yet cause I just started. Its pretty easy and its a good beginner program.

Um...since I am VERY new to programming, how do you run these scripts?? Do you run them in a program or something?

What do you mean by scripts, if you mean your code you need a compiler to compile any code into a working executable file. I usually code in linux with fortran at the moment, i started with visual basic at school a while ago you code with that in a suite you get from micrsoft its free so youre ok its an object based language meaning you create visual objects then code the user interactions, this is what VB is and thats probably a good place to start as object orientated i always find easier, it works script based as well which is a plus. VB also makes it easy to move on to C which is a more advanced language but its similar to VB.

I would do some research into programming techniques and terminology first that way itll help you understand better, google and wikipedia are a good place to start.

If you want to start off learning a language without having to download anything, then start off with a script language. If you mainly use Internet Explorer, then learn VBScript. If you mainly use Firefox, then learn JavaScript. I don't know what you should learn if you use Opera.
However, if you don't mind downloading a compiler, there are 3 languages I would suggest for you to learn. Visual Basic, if you want an easy language. Java, if you want to go with the growing trend. C++, if you plan on going into programming as a profession (both regular programming, and Game Programming).
There are other languages you can learn, but you PROBABLY won't try to learn them, unless you enjoy programming to the nth degree, or your line of work requires it.

What compiler would I get for compiling Java codes?

Java is a link I found for some of the more common Java Virtual Machines. I haven't started using the language yet, so I don't have a personal opinion. I would guess that Sun JVM might be a popular one to use.

ddiddy,
There is a lot of good information posted in reply to your question

If you have MS Office installed my suggestion of the easiest place to start is with Visual Basic for Applications VBA

http://www.exceltip.com/st/Writing_Your_Fi..._Excel/631.html
http://www.excel-vba.com/vba-1-introduction.htm

ddiddy,
try this site I just saw in another thread

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

covers basic introduction to many languages

My personal recommendation would be to start with either Visual Basic or Python. It'll get you to the thinking process behind programming, without all the tedious learning of each programming language's complexities.

btw, Good luck

VBS is a good thing to start with. That's Visual Basic Scripting, not for Applications, which is VBA.
VBS Doesn´t need a compiler, just the standard Wscript interpreter, which is already installed by default.

My code routine started at Python, HTML and SQL. For a Lineage2 Java-based server. The Python files are uncompiled script, so they are readable and easy to edit. The compiling is done by the Java server when the server is starting. It's placing a .Py_ file in the same directory, which makes it readable for Java to work with.

Python is not very hard, it's easy to learn. All it takes is logical thinking.
When I started VBS, I really HAD to learn it, because I wanted to create a program that can add a key to the registry which I can type at the Run... Dialog and then windows will start the path I gave to the name. These keys are stored at:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\]

The script worked and since then I made another 10 handy scripts. My next project is a word-game.

You should start from the beginning, which is VBS.
Then when you understand that and think you know enough (which will litterally take about 3 months.) you should try understanding Python. Well, if you understand VBS at that time, Python looks very familiar.
The hard thing about Python is finding the inspiration to do something with it. I had a good push in the back, which was creating complex bugless scripts so Lineage2 players in my server could easily and safely exchange cash for fun stuff, like HUGE shields.

After Python, VBA looks like a logical step, it's got a bit more complex code than Python and it's a lot more complex than VBS.

If you think you know VBA, try doing some basics with a C# language.

Personally, I think Java is really hard. All my personal Java codings failed.
But I've seen people which can just listen to you and from that script your idea for you.

My tip for you if you want to learn Java: Don't lose interest.

If you don't know how to code something like that, think logical.
There are a lot of ways to code something.
Like just a message on the screen can be coded in at least 5 different ways.

A tip just for VBS:
If you can't write into the registry, write a file and name it key.reg, then just let the script run regedit in silent mode and direct regedit to that file.

If you have some questions, you may add me to msn. My address is in my profile. I still need some more inspiration for VBS scripts and a possible partner in scripting.

===- End of post, sorry for keeping you reading this long -===

This post has been edited by IO-error: Dec 6 2006, 03:38 AM