which language to start with

Paul Conrad

Amar Chaudhary wrote:

are you talking about this[^]

Sounds like it. Nice quick reading :)

If you try to write that in English, I might be able to understand more than a fraction of it. - Guffa

Marc Clifton

I'd start with basic problem solving and flow chart diagramming. Then I'd move on to the idea of using objects for data/function representation, still using good ol' paper and pencil. Then I'd introduce object inheritance and the reason for it, again not touching a computer yet. Optionally, you might also want to introduce some simple UML diagramming, like sequence and state diagrams. Basically, most of programming is learning how to express the problem domain with a balance of concrete and abstract concepts and to come up with the right algorithms that actually meet the requirements. Before even coding, again on paper and pencil, I'd do a few lessons with "ok, now how would you test that algorithm/object model?" Once he's got that down, then show him a few different languages and how the syntax is different to do the same thing, but emphasizing overall syntax with only function stubs. Have him get in the practice of commenting what he plans each class and method and field/property to do, rather than doing it. You may think this takes all the fun out of programming, and depending on your dad's personality, that might be or not. However, I would go for giving your a dad the full flavor of what programming means (design, testing, documentation, etc) so he has the foundational stuff. Marc

Thyme In The Country

People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

Amar Chaudhary

yes the next topic i am going to introduce him is flow charting :)

it is good to be important but it is more important to be good

Raj Lal

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Paul Conrad

Amar Chaudhary wrote:

next topic i am going to introduce him is flow charting

Don't mean to overwhelm your dad, but you may want to show him UML once flow charting is mastered :)

If you try to write that in English, I might be able to understand more than a fraction of it. - Guffa

Eytukan

VB for NewBies... :-D. Not kidding.. that may help him realise how simple things are. Later he can switch over to real programming.:rolleyes:

:Gong: 歡迎光臨吐西批 :Gong:

Amar Chaudhary

i think he is comfortable with that and he is real fast in getting things when we discuss problems with each other usually he is the first to get solutions:)

it is good to be important but it is more important to be good

Nish Nishant

Matt Gerrans wrote:

By the way, .NET compiles to IL, which isn't the same as PE.

The .NET compilers (C#, VB.NET etc.) generate PE executables. The MSIL is stored as data - and the first line is a JMP to some function (whose name I cant remember now) in mscoree.dll, which then executes the MSIL. I believe you already knew that - but thought I'd mention it so that people who didn't know wouldn't get the wrong idea that .NET compilers on Windows produce non-PE executables.

Regards, Nish

Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*)

El Corazon

LISP. If he can survive LISP then any other language will be a piece of cake. ;P:laugh: (you've got good answers above, I just had to be the odd-ball, been in a very... interesting mood... since this last weekend... no not talking about it. :-D:-D )

_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

Paul Conrad

Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:

LISP. If he can survive LISP then any other language will be a piece of cake.

Oh man, all of those (((((( ))))) :laugh:

If you try to write that in English, I might be able to understand more than a fraction of it. - Guffa

Shog9 0

Looks like it. Shame about the drawings though.

---- I just want you to be happy; That's my only little wish...

El Corazon

PaulC1972 wrote:

(((((( )))))

proof LISP gives you tunnel vision!

_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

Paul Conrad

Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:

proof LISP gives you tunnel vision!

:laugh::-D

If you try to write that in English, I might be able to understand more than a fraction of it. - Guffa

Amar Chaudhary

any links for compiler / ide and any idea about cost

it is good to be important but it is more important to be good

Christian Graus

Amar Chaudhary wrote:

for finding a better match for me

Does better mean he doesn't like your current choice ? If he can handle the C# syntax, it's a better choice than VB, because it makes C++ easier to jump to. Whatever he learns, please, for the love of all that's holy, teach him C# on the console prior to teaching him about GUI libraries and event driven coding. I am in despair that almost no-one seems to do that anymore.

Christian Graus - C++ MVP 'Why don't we jump on a fad that hasn't already been widely discredited ?' - Dilbert

El Corazon

I was joking. :) LISP is ancient, difficult, very symbolic, backwards, and pretty much meant for AI work. I doubt there are more than a handful of programmers on this board who know LISP, and no one would recommend it outside of joke. :-D sorry to lead you astray. :) however, for many languages: http://www.thefreecountry.com/compilers/index.shtml[^] http://www.thefreecountry.com/programming/editors.shtml[^]

_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

Amar Chaudhary

Christian Graus wrote:

Does better mean he doesn't like your current choice ?

actually i don't have any choice and he had gone through few hundred of options

Christian Graus wrote:

C# on the console

yes i will implement that cause it is easier to learn when there few things distracting :)

it is good to be important but it is more important to be good

123 0

Amar Chaudhary wrote:

LOL

Is that "Laugh out Loud" or "Lots of Luck"? Seems a bit ambiguous, even to a human...

123 0

Shog9 wrote:

Or Forth. If you can manage to dig up a Forth environment and a copy of Leo Brodie's "Starting Forth". Brillian beginner's book.

Agreed. I've got two copies myself and might be willing to part with one if I thought the person was really serious.

Amar Chaudhary

thanks i refer wikipedia and it said "Lisp is the second-oldest high-level programming language in widespread use today" so i asked you :)

it is good to be important but it is more important to be good