Coding/Programming

If I was wanting to start teaching myself how to code or program, what are some good online sources for a true beginner to start?

Or, are there any really useful books that spring to mind?

We actually have a new thread for this... probably should start by telling us what language you'd like to learn, if anything.

I'd like to teach myself programming, though I'm not sure why.

What language would be good for a beginner but still kinda useful?

Central: Our college classes on programming started with Java, even though I grew to hate it because of all the shit it forces you through.

Basically programming for me started on a very theoretical level, so first you would have to try and visualize pseudeocode in your head. It basically boils down to sentences like "Do X, then do Z. If V = Y, then do U, and if not, do P."

1. Download MIT Scheme.
2. Go through the ''Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs textbook.

...honestly, if you ask me, the LAST thing that a budding programmer needs is a giant brick of a textbook to wade through to have any idea what they're doing.

Here's what I learned Python from.

Pssst. Don't forget Alice, for the begginingst of begginers.

Brought to you by your pals at CMU.

Fuck Alice.

...honestly, if you ask me, the LAST thing that a budding programmer needs is a giant brick of a textbook to wade through to have any idea what they're doing.

The SICP is a pretty great textbook. Scheme has much less special syntax than almost any other language. The textbook goes through, using practical examples (such as something that takes a function and returns the derivative) with a solid basis in theory.

It's way better than the shitty Learn [Language] In 24 Hours books I learned from, that's for sure.

As for the first thing: depends on the context, no?

I've never used it, but I felt a duty to plug.

Thirding (?) SICP. If I can understand it, so can you, and your dog.

Fuck Alice.

Seconded.

Java is one of the better languages you can learn to code in, mostly because when something goes wrong, it actually tells you instead of happily doing stupid crap until it segfaults without a word like certain other languages.

I learned in Pascal, which was actually designed for teaching basic programming practices, but keep in mind it's not really good for anything beyond Broad Strokes.

My uni courses started us out on C++ using GCC as the compiler under Linux. For a Windows version, hunt down Min GW.

C++ is terrible for learning and you should feel terrible for saying that.

>:| <— This is my serious face

I think I've blocked most of C++ out of my memory.

If you want to learn that sort of thing learn Java instead. I started partly with C++ too and fuck that noise.

My current program started us with cold C. If I hadn't already had so much experience with Java and already knew how pointers worked, I'd have been boned six ways.

The introductory programming class at my college was in Visual C++. Most classes went as follows:

• Teacher gives lecture.
• Class waits as me an two other people who have prior programming experience work our way through the problem set.
• On finishing, we go around the class, holding peoples hands through the exercises.

edited 12th Jan '11 7:02:44 PM by Taelor

That's not really language-dependent, though. I did that with Python, which is a fine language.

...of course, we were just helping, and they could do some themselves, unlike that.

edited 12th Jan '11 7:32:39 PM by Tzetze

C++ is terrible for learning and you should feel terrible for saying that.

Actually, I found it a little easier than plain old C. Granted, we didn't start on the object-oriented parts of C++ until second semester.

Huh, this was me in tech school.

a little easier than plain old C

Okay, uh, I feel like there's an idiom here, but I'm drawing a blank

By which I mean, if your standard is «easier than C», you really haven't narrowed anything down >_>

edited 14th Jan '11 7:41:52 AM by Tzetze

Most of my courses were based around C or C++. There were a few other languages thrown in, though. Java, Perl, Python, Scheme, x86 Assembler, A couple of toy languages for the compiler construction subject, maybe a few others which I've long since forgotten. Java is alright, but I don't have much love for the rest.

^^ It rules out Assembler and Haskell