How to become a programmer

Kidchameleon · 03-04-2011 11:34AM

Microsoft® XNA® Game Studio 3.0: Learn Programming Now!

^^ This is a great book if you want to learn C#. It teaches you the language and core programming concepts in a very beginner friendly way through simple game projects. They have it in town in all the book shops. BTW, I'd recommend learning C# or Java first before you move onto C++.

Clanket · 03-04-2011 11:58AM

Thanks Kidchameleon. I'll look into that book.

Yep I've decided against C++ and am going with Java. Am going to do the beginner course here and learn it in my own time through books and internet.

If I can get my head around Java I'll move onto C#.

Thanks again to everyone for your help.

stevenmu · 03-04-2011 05:34PM

Another suggestion, if you're not already familiar with linux, stick to windows, there's no point trying to complicate things with a new OS in the mix as well.

Laptops can be great (I usually use one for development) but it's important to have a good keyboard and mouse, and it's really useful to have multiple screens (one for developing, one for google

), so if you go the laptop route do get an external keyboard and mouse you can plug in and if possible an external monitor to connect as well.

Mmmm_Lemony · 04-04-2011 01:01PM

If you have decided on Java, then this is for you. As I said before, his voice can annoy some people, but he works through everything in a very simple way.

http://www.youtube.com/user/thenewboston

Webmonkey · 04-04-2011 01:05PM

Mmmm_Lemony wrote: »

If you have decided on Java, then this is for you. As I said before, his voice can annoy some people, but he works through everything in a very simple way.

http://www.youtube.com/user/thenewboston

Is that not Java script?

Mmmm_Lemony · 05-04-2011 09:41AM

Webmonkey wrote: »

Is that not Java script?

Maybe, but his tutorials on Java are what I'm talking about. It looks like he's attempting to be a KhanAcademy for programming and web dev, and for the most part does a pretty good job at it. Hats off to him.

Here are all his Java related tutorials;
http://www.thenewboston.com/?cat=36&pOpen=tutorial

Webmonkey · 05-04-2011 09:45AM

Mmmm_Lemony wrote: »

Maybe, but his tutorials on Java are what I'm talking about. It looks like he's attempting to be a KhanAcademy for programming and web dev, and for the most part does a pretty good job at it. Hats off to him.

Here are all his Java related tutorials;
http://www.thenewboston.com/?cat=36&pOpen=tutorial

Ah good stuff. A lot of material in that channel

Razzuh · 06-04-2011 09:38PM

If you're going for java, there's a free program for beginners called BlueJ that's handy for people starting out. It let's you get going with a friendly GUI and helps make OO programming more visual. It has an easy-to-use debugger so you can get used to this basic tool too.

Once you have something going, then go to the command line and see how compiling etc. works using that.

Clanket · 07-04-2011 09:21AM

Thanks Razzuh. Will do.

Am reading the beginning programming for dummies at the minute. Will be finished it by next week.

I'm then going to go back over this thread and watch the tutorials/get the books recommended.

Am also booked in to do the Java for beginners with sct ireland towards the end of April.

Gator · 07-04-2011 11:34PM

The only advice I can give (and maybe some people will disagree) is that programming is something you are good at or are not, after 10 years of doing courses etc I really couldnt get a hold of programming as easily as other people, I found it really difficult and was lucky to stumble across networking where I enjoyed and was reasonably good at it.

I dont think simply thinking one day "Il learn programming" is a simple as as picking up a book and reading, it can be quite hard for some people and I have seen some really intelligent struggle with the concepts.

Dont underestimate the effotr involved, it takes a good mind and good dedication to really get a grip of it,but , maybe you will be one of those lucky b*astards that takes to it like rain man!!!!!! best of luck though

dueyfinster · 08-04-2011 12:59AM

Gator wrote: »

I dont think simply thinking one day "Il learn programming" is a simple as as picking up a book and reading, it can be quite hard for some people and I have seen some really intelligent struggle with the concepts.

I'm final year compsci and I can attest to this, people generally fall in to three categorys: those who get programming, those who try really hard at it and those who fail miserably.

My advice: stick with it, vast majority of it is experience. You learn from the crappy programs you start off with. I have to say a structured course was essential for me as I could pick lecturers brains about the concepts etc, but there is nothing that can't be self taught.

I have done mainly Java in College. I found a post (I can't find now) with a guy describing why Java is a terrible first language (and probably and C variant also). A dynamic scripting language like ruby or python with very simple syntax for first programs may be a better choice, though I can't say because I can't unlearn and try it it again!

Clanket · 08-04-2011 09:43AM

Gator wrote: »

.

I've always been interested in computers so hopefully I can pick it up. In most cases, if you're interested in something you'll learn it. Even if it takes years.

dueyfinster wrote: »

I found a post (I can't find now) with a guy describing why Java is a terrible first language (and probably and C variant also). A dynamic scripting language like ruby or python with very simple syntax for first programs may be a better choice, though I can't say because I can't unlearn and try it it again!

So far I've learned that if you ask 10 different programmers where's a good place to start you'll get 10 different answers

I've made my mind up with Java and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks for the replies.

Draupnir · 08-04-2011 10:05AM

Java is a good call, it's certainly as good a call as any and gives you plenty of online materials to use and lots of people you can ask questions.

I'd strongly advise that you avoid trying to put together any huge system or front end etc. at the first point, just try to put together some classes at first and then try to get your head around methods, class hierarchies and polymorphism.

Once you've done that in one language you'll be pretty much sorted to pick up any other.

fasty · 08-04-2011 10:13AM

Clanket wrote: »

I've made my mind up with Java and I'm sticking to it.

Good call. Really, the language doesn't matter as long as you learn and get stuff done. Sometimes it's the right tool for the job, sometimes not. You'll find that out soon enough.

Naikon · 09-04-2011 02:07PM

You need to get a good grasp of general Algorithms and logic. I think once you get a good grasp of the actual fundamentals
it's easier to get a hold of programming. For example, you need to understand at the hardware level what a function call is doing.

How can somebody execute arbitrary code by overwriting the return address of a stack subroutine? Nasty stuff like ASM will not
give you a decent grasp of algorithms, but it's a start to actually understanding what is going on under the hood.

People who think they suck at programming-> Start small and work your way up. Everyone sucks at programming when the idea
of a silly cert is to simply memorise the class libraries. Get a grasp of the fundamentals and life will be much better. I would argue
Java is not great for learning, as it abstracts everything to a high level. Learn from the ground up is my best advice.

Also, try and understand pointers and concepts like recursion. Hard at first, but worth knowing for the fringe cases. Practice is key.
I knew nothing about programming once upon a time, and while I am no Dennis Ritchie, practice will get you up to scratch after a while.

Webmonkey · 09-04-2011 03:13PM

Naikon wrote: »

You need to get a good grasp of general Algorithms and logic. I think once you get a good grasp of the actual fundamentals
it's easier to get a hold of programming. For example, you need to understand at the hardware level what a function call is doing.

How can somebody execute arbitrary code by overwriting the return address of a stack subroutine? Nasty stuff like ASM will not
give you a decent grasp of algorithms, but it's a start to actually understanding what is going on under the hood.

People who think they suck at programming-> Start small and work your way up. Everyone sucks at programming when the idea
of a silly cert is to simply memorise the class libraries. Get a grasp of the fundamentals and life will be much better. I would argue
Java is not great for learning, as it abstracts everything to a high level. Learn from the ground up is my best advice.

Also, try and understand pointers and concepts like recursion. Hard at first, but worth knowing for the fringe cases. Practice is key.
I knew nothing about programming once upon a time, and while I am no Dennis Ritchie, practice will get you up to scratch after a while.

Unfort it takes a certain type of programmer to have the patience to start at ground up. I was of a similar view before, learning C / pointers etc first but I think it scares of a lot of people.

I don't know, I think it depends on the person really.

But algorithms/logic can be done in any language anyways.

Naikon · 09-04-2011 04:03PM

Webmonkey wrote: »

Unfort it takes a certain type of programmer to have the patience to start at ground up. I was of a similar view before, learning C / pointers etc first but I think it scares of a lot of people.

I don't know, I think it depends on the person really.

But algorithms/logic can be done in any language anyways.

On second thought, I think you are right. I only really started to "get" programming when learning about the instruction set and it's use for simple 8 bit stuff. Tedious for most taks however.
A loop is a loop, whereas assembly varies between each instruction set.

Assembly -> Getting the logic behind the machine
C -> Teaches you to be careful/discipline(SEGMENTATION FAULT!)
Java/Python -> Forces convention to the benefit of other team members
Sed/Perl/Awk -> Essential for sysadmin/scripting

You are 100% right though. It just so happens computers are very good at implementing Algorithms. A lang is just a means to an end. Something thee "certification" mills appear to forget at the best of times.

conor.hogan.2 · 09-04-2011 09:05PM

Plan out any program that will take up more than a screen worth of space, unless you like wasting time and if/when it works it looks all over the places.

Whether you use pseudo code or flowcharts or whatever, just plan as it will save you so much hassle and time.

How to become a programmer

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