Learning a language using an IDE or text editor.

[Obi_Hendrix]

Thanks all for your comments, seems I'll be playing with both then!

[Kirk 10389821]

Honestly, it depends on the IDE and your environment. I would say multiple monitors is more important that an IDE, but having BOTH is better. Also, I recommend the PAINFULLY obvious... Please spend a LOT of time READING code. You would not expect someone to be a good author who had never read a book, would you? So, the more code you read, the more you will start to pick up, and leverage later on. There is nothing wrong with a Good IDE. But if the IDE is constantly saying "Please wait while we do some background work", and it slows you down... Then it might be frustrating/painful. On the other hand, if it is responsive, and works, and has easy access to help, etc. I think it is a great way to learn. And I have punched cards, and worked with TECO (optimized for Paper Terminal Editing, on a PDP/11). I use NotePad++ for a lot, but I use a couple of IDEs where they make sense. Syntax highlighting can significantly help with learning a language, and specifically reading source code... Best of luck....

[StatementTerminator]

Either way is fine for learning the language and OO principles. But part of what you need to learn is how to use an IDE, you need to know how to use the tools for scaffolding, building, debugging, etc. because this is how most software shops do things. So I'd say go ahead and use whatever IDE is appropriate for your language, because you'll need to know how to use it.

[Leng Vang]

It really depend on how much time you can devote to learn a new language with its libraries. Also how in-depth you want to know the new language or programming paradigm. If you have a project waiting to be developed and you are coming to speed on the language then a IDE will get you there quicker. A good IDE (i.e. Visual Studio) is an memory augmentation as well as a guiding tool. Projects involve not just the language you will have to know but also the mountain of libraries as well. However, if you really want to burn the language construct into memory, using a text editor will do that, because you have to correct any mistakes you've made and we all know we learn best from our mistakes. If you are absolute beginner start to learn to program, text editor might be easier path, but if you are seasoned programmer just stepping into other language and already familiar with how IDE works, then an IDE probably the way to go. Fighting an IDE at the same time while trying to understand a new syntax is a double edges sword.

[Gary Wheeler]

I had a class that taught us DEC PDP-11 assembly language as preparation for the follow-on course in real-time programming. We did the projects for the PDP-11 assembly language course on punched cards, running a PDP-11 simulator on the university's IBM mainframe. This was not a fun experience, since the simulator was a graduate student's thesis project, and not especially, er, complete.

Software Zen: delete this;

[RafagaX]

Text editor? IDE?, no, you should start by writing your code on paper, then sending it to a professional mainframe operator for him to turn it into punched cards and run it, it may take around 4 weeks to get the results, so better make no mistakes... ;P Seriously, given that IDEs do a lot of magic being the scenes, i recommend you to start with a text editor (Notepad++ is a good one) and compile by hand, this way you'll have a better grasp of what you're really doing. Don't like the text editor?, then you may want to use an IDE, but start with empty projects and turn off code completition (Intellisense on VS).

CEO at: - Rafaga Systems - Para Facturas - Modern Components for the moment...

[PIEBALDconsult]

Hear hear!

Member 10389821 wrote:

I have punched cards

I haven't.

Member 10389821 wrote:

and worked with TECO ... on a PDP/11.

Done that. While the other students were using a line-editor (EDT in line mode) the cool kids taught me to use TECO in screen mode. :cool: I was shocked later to find that EDT has a screen mode -- it's what I still use on VMS, I never bothered to learn EVE or LSE.

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[Nicolas Dorier]

There is two schools in learning. Top down or down top. The down top approach means that you start from the abyss, where "abyss" is an arbitrary start point that change depending on the age of the adviser. For 60 years old guy, you should start with assembler. For the 30 years old guy, most likely C++, and for the 40 years old guy C. For your specific question, replace the name of the languages with the name of respective text editor/IDE release date. The Top down approach does not depends on the age of the adviser. You start with the problem, read tutorial that permit you to move quick and deepen your knowledge as you encounter new problems. I am a big believer in the top down approach that keep your motivation high since you can apply immediately your knowledge. As a .NET trainer, this is the approach I use for my students, and always got good feedback on that. So in short : Start with IDE. Except if the place you will work, for one reason or another can't have the IDE. The IDE is not less important than the language. But I will tell you : If the company you work for is too poor to buy you an IDE, then they probably not selling the right product... or the product right. An IDE has a so minimal price compared to a salary, that's it is not even worth debatting. Startup ? Use Bizpark.

[nocturns2]

They were great for hole art too! Kinda like text art.

[Corporal Agarn]

I had forgotten that. Ah the old days. :)