Basic question about where to start...
-
I got my first experiences with coding back in elementary school in the mid-80s working with the Apple IIe. I continued to dabble through college, working with HTML, VBA, and C++. Unfortunately, I never fully committed, so while I do understand the world of possibilities available to those who code, I am still a novice in most ways. I would like to get back into this if possible. I am a data analyst and I have the need to write programs that will automate some reporting processes for various web-based data repositories I use. Basically, I would like to write scripts that will automate the processes of downloading data based on set parameters, and then load said data into an Excel-based report template that I create. I would also like to start building my own web-accessible databases. So here's my question: Should I revisit VBA, C++, or just go for learning a new language? If your answer is "new language," which language? Any advice on how to get started with databases?
I have written an article in three parts, which though targets young ladies who are interested in a career in software development, is appropriate for anyone. You can find the articles at my TECH NOTES site here... https://blackfalconsoftware.wordpress.com The articles are entitled... <<< Common Sense Software Engineering: Letter to a Young Woman (Part I) Common Sense Software Engineering: Letter to a Young Woman (Part II) Common Sense Software Engineering: Letter to a Young Woman (Part III) <<< The articles provide links and resources for the topics discussed. Because these article parts comprise around 35 typed pages, there is also a downloadable PDF available at the beginning of the first article as well...
Steve Naidamast Sr. Software Engineer Black Falcon Software, Inc. blackfalconsoftware@outlook.com
-
Me too! I started programming for a living with GW-Basic in 1979, and have been teaching myself C# over the last 6 months by Converting my VB6 program (384000 lines of code) To C#. I started using Rockford Lohtka's Visual Basic Business Objects, several years ago and it was an excellent introduction to object oriented programming. I still don't understand or embrace all of the OOP concepts as many seem to be aimed at "team programming" (I am a "lone wolf") but I try to use them as best as I know how. :doh:
Yes, very similar backgrounds and experience although I took up relearning how to program ( from a Fortran/Basic background) as a hobby after I retired in order to keep my mind busy. After about 6 years of C# only now am I getting a inkling as to how interfaces are used. Yea, I'm kind of a slow learner :)
-
I'd suggest C# as a good start: it's a clean, modern language with an excellent user base, and a lot simpler than C++ (which has evolved hugely since the 80's). The basics of language can be picked up in a short time (though the framework it uses will take months to learn thoroughly - but that's the same for every language nowadays) and there are a huge range of books available to help you: Wrox do some excellent ones, as do Addison Wesley. All the books will have at least one section of communicating with databases, and some will cover Excel via ODBC as well.
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
I totally concur. C# really is excellent. I wrote C for years (like 15 or 20). C# extends the concepts learned in C/C++ nicely with less danger of painting yourself into a corner. It was also a natural after spending years with a software component that I had coded in VB.Net - it's extremely consistent (as a language) and easy to write clear, concise code. I've written a dozen applications in it (non-trivial ones) and it always rises to the need. Did I say I like C#? Cheers, -Clockmeister
If you think hiring a professional is expensive, wait until you hire an amateur! - Red Adair
-
I got my first experiences with coding back in elementary school in the mid-80s working with the Apple IIe. I continued to dabble through college, working with HTML, VBA, and C++. Unfortunately, I never fully committed, so while I do understand the world of possibilities available to those who code, I am still a novice in most ways. I would like to get back into this if possible. I am a data analyst and I have the need to write programs that will automate some reporting processes for various web-based data repositories I use. Basically, I would like to write scripts that will automate the processes of downloading data based on set parameters, and then load said data into an Excel-based report template that I create. I would also like to start building my own web-accessible databases. So here's my question: Should I revisit VBA, C++, or just go for learning a new language? If your answer is "new language," which language? Any advice on how to get started with databases?
If you're going to put data into an Excel-based report template using code in Excel itself, you might have to use VBA for that, but, if you are going to commit to C# (a great language), there are libraries available to be able to do it outside of Excel without VBA. I don't recommend VBA if you can possibly avoid it. The language is untrendy and the code would be broken up into scattered pieces that are difficult to manage later. If you are going to build your own web-accessible databases, you are probably going to choose between SQL Server Express or MySQL and will need to choose a platform and a language to go with it. If you choose SQL Server Express, you would do best to stay with Microsoft and C#. If you choose MySQL, you could host it anywhere on any OS and program to it using any language. For my own home-grown web programs, I do it in PHP (not such a great language, but with advantages) and MySQL on a shared host Linux server, because that is the quickest, cheapest, most accessible and portable option, and I like being independent of vendors and free to use free open source software.
-
I got my first experiences with coding back in elementary school in the mid-80s working with the Apple IIe. I continued to dabble through college, working with HTML, VBA, and C++. Unfortunately, I never fully committed, so while I do understand the world of possibilities available to those who code, I am still a novice in most ways. I would like to get back into this if possible. I am a data analyst and I have the need to write programs that will automate some reporting processes for various web-based data repositories I use. Basically, I would like to write scripts that will automate the processes of downloading data based on set parameters, and then load said data into an Excel-based report template that I create. I would also like to start building my own web-accessible databases. So here's my question: Should I revisit VBA, C++, or just go for learning a new language? If your answer is "new language," which language? Any advice on how to get started with databases?
absolutely not C# the only correct answers are VBA, Python or R R is built for data analysis, you can grab stuff from databases and the web with it, you can manipulate Excel files with it it is an ugly language, but very powerful Python has become a strong contender for data analysis and is also used as the backend for web servers and just like R you can grab stuff from databases and the web with it, you can manipulate Excel files with it VBA is also great -- it is so easy to get data from databases and put them into Excel -- not so great for web stuff I recommend Python you will be up and running with Python much faster than with C# watch this to get a basic idea of python [^] search youtube, google and amazon for python tutorials there and tons of them
-
You hit the nail on the head. I am not at all concerned with the look of the interface. I just want to be able to automate some of my work. So I will take a look at the options you mentioned.
Bonus: Typically, with scripts, you focus on a single task, so if you can automate a few things with a number of single-purpose scripts, you'll probably feel like you're making a lot more progress more quickly than trying to write one compiled utility that tries to do it all.
-
I got my first experiences with coding back in elementary school in the mid-80s working with the Apple IIe. I continued to dabble through college, working with HTML, VBA, and C++. Unfortunately, I never fully committed, so while I do understand the world of possibilities available to those who code, I am still a novice in most ways. I would like to get back into this if possible. I am a data analyst and I have the need to write programs that will automate some reporting processes for various web-based data repositories I use. Basically, I would like to write scripts that will automate the processes of downloading data based on set parameters, and then load said data into an Excel-based report template that I create. I would also like to start building my own web-accessible databases. So here's my question: Should I revisit VBA, C++, or just go for learning a new language? If your answer is "new language," which language? Any advice on how to get started with databases?
I'd like to suggest you have a look at Python, ideally Python 3.6. Even if you decide to go for C#, knowing Python is useful.
-
I got my first experiences with coding back in elementary school in the mid-80s working with the Apple IIe. I continued to dabble through college, working with HTML, VBA, and C++. Unfortunately, I never fully committed, so while I do understand the world of possibilities available to those who code, I am still a novice in most ways. I would like to get back into this if possible. I am a data analyst and I have the need to write programs that will automate some reporting processes for various web-based data repositories I use. Basically, I would like to write scripts that will automate the processes of downloading data based on set parameters, and then load said data into an Excel-based report template that I create. I would also like to start building my own web-accessible databases. So here's my question: Should I revisit VBA, C++, or just go for learning a new language? If your answer is "new language," which language? Any advice on how to get started with databases?
Several very good observations from other posters, but why make this project any harder than it needs to be? KISS!!!!!! You seem to already know VBA. Why not write a VBA add-in for Excel to import the data, and then do the analysis/consolidation using Excel macros. Excel generates good graphs and can do high level statistics including multiple regression with an inexpensive add-in such as WinStat. http://www.winstat.com/ IMNSHO learning a new language just for this task is gross over-kill. After you extract the data, you will still need to format and analyze. Most likely you will have to use another program/language such as “R”on top of one of the dialects of C. What exactly will one of the new “hot” languages do that VBA or even Quick Basic won't?
-
To add to this, I would highly recommend getting a Lynda.com or pluralsight.com account. Very easy to follow tutorials. :thumbsup: Good luck!
+1 for pluralsight.com
Eric
-
I got my first experiences with coding back in elementary school in the mid-80s working with the Apple IIe. I continued to dabble through college, working with HTML, VBA, and C++. Unfortunately, I never fully committed, so while I do understand the world of possibilities available to those who code, I am still a novice in most ways. I would like to get back into this if possible. I am a data analyst and I have the need to write programs that will automate some reporting processes for various web-based data repositories I use. Basically, I would like to write scripts that will automate the processes of downloading data based on set parameters, and then load said data into an Excel-based report template that I create. I would also like to start building my own web-accessible databases. So here's my question: Should I revisit VBA, C++, or just go for learning a new language? If your answer is "new language," which language? Any advice on how to get started with databases?
The history you mentioned is near identical to my own. I'm only getting back into programming myself. So while I'm not the best for making suggestions, I can at least tell you what I know. For programming, I tried a little of everything along with the countless websites suggesting one way or another. I've decided to go with C# due to its versatility, IDE, and the fact that most of my work tools are with Microsoft. And the fact there so many resources available for learning it. (Both free and paid) Xamarin University is one which will give you what you need to learn, while charging you a reasonable fee (which will help keep you motivated to get through the material as quickly as possible). We tend to take things more seriously when we pay for them... As for reporting, If you can get your hands on MS SQL 2012+ you will get SQL Server Reporting Services with it. SSRS will allow you to pull information from many different data points (SQL, Access, Excel, Flat Files) and automate their delivery to either the file system or through email. And C# can be used to enhance the reports further. And with that, you can get into MVC6 and move into building small applications which connect to your databases etc. (If you can use the same tools in work and as a hobby, you will have that much more exposure.) I wish you the best. Just know whichever path you choose, that is the right one for you!
