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What is the easiest language to start with?
Hi, I am trying to change my career to a programmer. I found interest in programming, and also quicker to learn. my confusion started when I have decide which language should I be with? should it be the languages and scripts from MS stable or should it be Java?
If you have enough discipline to learn C sufficiently it will serve you well for learning higher level languages.
C++ from my side. Java can be a little complicated to get on initially due to its compulsory class declaration and lack of easy options of getting input from the user.
Perhaps Python will also give you a good start with your pursuit.
I came across an app a while ago called 'Alice' which is a very baic introduction to programming concepts and methodologies. I reckon anybody who has absolutely no idea about programming should check it out.
As for a language, I am leaning towards PHP, but I feel a lot of new programmers get too spoiled by PHP and are then unwilling to learn others due to their seaminly over complex nature. You can't go wrong with learning a mature language like Java, its very rewarding, lots of resources available and a lot of other languages 'borrow' concepts to make switching later on, easier.
Hope that helps.
For learning programming, I would go the Python route. Using the basics of the language is quite easy and reminiscent of the glory days of BASIC before it turned into the massive behemoth that it is nowadays.
Python is, in my opinion, the best language for learning and, once the concepts of programming are known, you can apply them to most languages.
If you actually want to understand how computing works, read SICP. It uses a language called Scheme, which won't get you a job though, but learning languages is not the hard part anyway.
edit:
If you just want to get doing web applications quickly, learn PHP. But consider studying the theoretical side of things at a later time anyway.
You haven't specified how much time you will dedicate to your learning. For an option which is not express but looks very useful to me, I'd do the following:
Read Touch of Class by Bertrand Meyer. This book hasn't been released yet (in theory it will be on July 1st), but I downloaded the beta version when it was available (not now) and it looked like a somewhat easier alternative to his fundamental book Object Oriented Software Construction, 2nd Edition. This will introduce you to OO programming and the Eiffel language, one which I find very useful for learning to build high quality software - no matter what language you later program in.
Choose either Java or C# and apply your recently acquired design knowledge to it. I can't compare really since I've only gone the latter route. It's good from the market point of view (there are jobs in C#) but I really can't compare it with other options. Anyway, I think you'll get a broader view by comparing the different answers.
As said Java is a bit complex to start with but if you have the stamina to work it out it's worth it. Starting with C (ansi C) however.. don't do it. Either go for Java or C++, or a script language (python, php etc). Add a book on object oriented programming and you should be well on your way.
G'day,
Have a look at the Prag Prog book "Learn to Program" (sanitised Amazon link) which uses Ruby as its language. As well as programming, you get to learn the basics of OOP (Object Oriented Programming) later on in the book.
Good luck.
HTH
cheers,
You didn't specify what will be the domain you'll be working on. Will it be web design? Desktop applications? Pointy-haired boss?
If you're interested in programming per ansamble, maybe you should focus on a general purpose language, than can land you a job. I would suggest going with Java or C# if you want to learn a statically typed language, and Python , Ruby or Groovy if you want to go with a dynamically typed language.
For web development I would suggest you learn a dynamically typed language, all of the languages enumerated above have great web frameworks available.
What type of programming are you interested in? Websites will require different languages then desktop and embedded systems will be yet another different set. I would look at the various "express" editions from Microsoft. They cover C++, C#, and VB very well. JAVA is also a good language to learn. It a free download as is the eclipse development environment. Once you've decided on a language and development environment there are lots of learning resources on the web.
I also would not rule out taking a programming course at a local community college. Sometimes having a instructor assigning homework and giving tests is still the best way to learn. Many of us including myself spend a lot of money on various books about programming. While some people don't like them, the "head first" series covers many programming topics. "Head First Java" is a good beginners introduction to JAVA.