Where to Start? I'm Confused.
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I have no idea where to start. I don't have much patience at all, and I know much is required for programming. But it's the only thing that interests me. I have tried several times to get into it and can't. But later I keep going back. I don't know where to start. DirectX, Python, Visual Basic, C++, Java, and making graphics demo's and 3D screensavers. Any input on where to start first on the one being the easiest to get the hang of would be greatly appreciated. LD
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I have no idea where to start. I don't have much patience at all, and I know much is required for programming. But it's the only thing that interests me. I have tried several times to get into it and can't. But later I keep going back. I don't know where to start. DirectX, Python, Visual Basic, C++, Java, and making graphics demo's and 3D screensavers. Any input on where to start first on the one being the easiest to get the hang of would be greatly appreciated. LD
For somebody without much patience, I'd say that DirectX is the last place to start, particularly since (at least with Direct3D) there are at least a thousand ways to code up a black screen with not much debugging info to go on. :) Python is a scripting language and so is probably the easiest to get started in. VB is also a good candidate. The reasons are that it is very easy to get something being displayed on the screen, which (at least for me) is all I need to really get into a project. - Mike
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I have no idea where to start. I don't have much patience at all, and I know much is required for programming. But it's the only thing that interests me. I have tried several times to get into it and can't. But later I keep going back. I don't know where to start. DirectX, Python, Visual Basic, C++, Java, and making graphics demo's and 3D screensavers. Any input on where to start first on the one being the easiest to get the hang of would be greatly appreciated. LD
Hey. I'm with you. For the past few years I've struggled with what to do. The first thing I learned was HTML. Its probably the most instantly gratifying thing you can do. As you've probably heard, it is not a programming language but it is EXTREMELY useful to know if you want to make any sort of browser enabled application. After that (which'll take a few days or less) I'd get started on a scripting language that can be used to "accesorize" your HTML and make useful websites. www.webmonkey.com is good for both of these. After that.. well its best if you answer these two questions. How old are you? and how interested are you in programming. Meaning do you want to learn low-level C windows programming or C# Windows Forms. C# would be much quicker to learn and you can build awesome stuff but you'll gain a much better understanding of how languages and computers work if you start with C or C++.
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Hey. I'm with you. For the past few years I've struggled with what to do. The first thing I learned was HTML. Its probably the most instantly gratifying thing you can do. As you've probably heard, it is not a programming language but it is EXTREMELY useful to know if you want to make any sort of browser enabled application. After that (which'll take a few days or less) I'd get started on a scripting language that can be used to "accesorize" your HTML and make useful websites. www.webmonkey.com is good for both of these. After that.. well its best if you answer these two questions. How old are you? and how interested are you in programming. Meaning do you want to learn low-level C windows programming or C# Windows Forms. C# would be much quicker to learn and you can build awesome stuff but you'll gain a much better understanding of how languages and computers work if you start with C or C++.
I do know the basic HTML and keep getting free webspace to make a basic webpage and then after I sign up for the account. I lose interest that fast. I have the problem of wanting to do too many things at once and want instant results. I know things don't work that way, but I've always been that way. And it sucks. Which basically states that I've been a quitter my whole life. I'll be 21 on the 31st of this month to answer the age Q. Any pointers to help? Maybe I'm depressed or something and can't consentrate. I really want to learn though. My whole life is based on videogames and I want to end up there in the biz. LD
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I do know the basic HTML and keep getting free webspace to make a basic webpage and then after I sign up for the account. I lose interest that fast. I have the problem of wanting to do too many things at once and want instant results. I know things don't work that way, but I've always been that way. And it sucks. Which basically states that I've been a quitter my whole life. I'll be 21 on the 31st of this month to answer the age Q. Any pointers to help? Maybe I'm depressed or something and can't consentrate. I really want to learn though. My whole life is based on videogames and I want to end up there in the biz. LD
First things first. You may be "depressed" because of some weird "chemical problem" in your brain. Certain people have certain problems on various levels. We all do. The only thing you can do is choose how to combat those problems. You can't get rid of those chemicals and in my opinion atitude altering drugs are just admitting defeat. Your choice. But back to the computers. So are you in or not in college? And you would like to get a job as a programmer? If you want to enter the field I would recommend getting a BS in Computer Science. But if you're really really smart and can demonstrate that and are willing to work hard enough you might be able to get a job. I really don't know. As far as learning a language. I would choose unmanaged C++ or C#. C++ will be a little harder to learn but mroe rewarding. C# has some awesome features and you can do so much with it. I would start with C#, but you decide. Then pick a small program to make. Maybe even one to solve a quadratic equation. It has to be something you can accomplish in a short time span or you'll probably give up (I've made thsi mistake many times). Then set a slightly higher goal. Perhaps creating an address book using a database or text file. Then set a higher goal. Never try and reach farther then your arm can already go. Also, there is great support and some great books out there for every language so don't feel that you've made a "wrong" choice in picking your first big language.