[dmurfitt]

Hi,

I just wondered what advice you could give someone (me) who wants to have a bash at programming. What's the best language to start with? I guess ultimately I want to be able to design software for Windows.

Any help would be much appreciated,

Thanks a lot,
Dan

[Chicon]

Hi dmurfitt,

If you want write some good stuff for Windows, I suggest you C++ as Windows XP represents more than 40 million C++ coding lines. Also, C++ programs are supported by other OS like Linux.
Free C++ development tools exist for Windows, one of the best is Dev C++. You can start to write small programs with it.

Also, I suggest you to read this thread if you want to learn C++ :
New to C++.

[dmurfitt]

That's great, I'll have a look over it this weekend!

Thanks a lot for your help,
Dan

[InterKnight]

Free C++ development tools exist for Windows, one of the best is Dev C++. You can start to write small programs with it.

Sorry...I don't mean to divert this thread in any means...I was just curious as to whether Dev-C++ had the capabilities to actually create large projects, or if it was for more simple ones? I can't afford Visual C++, but in turn I've grown quite fond of Dev-C++.

Thanks.

Take care.

[brendandonhu]

You should look into Java if you're interested in cross-platform programming.
Maybe Python if you want to learn a scripting language.

[dmurfitt]

My mate said C and C++ are the best to start with because most of the other languages are stemed from it. The only trouble I have found with the tutorials (and most of the books in fact) is that they start off and slow (which is what I need, because I don't know anything about programming), and then they start using terms which mean nothing to me and boom, I am lost. lol.

I guess I'm in real trouble when I read the "for dummies" books and find them hard. What would be dummer than a dummy? hehe

[LinuxGold]

I would suggest that you install Linux (dual boot on extra hard drive) and play around with it. It got C++, perl, bash, everything imaginable. Get used to that environment and when you get used to it, you will be able to understand everything that MicroSoft has to offer, including the Operating System itself.

That is how I got started and I am now programmer.

[codejockey]

The only trouble I have found with the tutorials (and most of the books in fact) is that they start off and slow (which is what I need, because I don't know anything about programming), and then they start using terms which mean nothing to me and boom, I am lost. lol.

You should not feel badly. No one is born knowing this stuff, and it takes time just to grok the terminology, the way of thinking, and (Lord help us!) the acronyms. Persistence is everything.

Hang in there ...

[dmurfitt]

Hehe, thanks mate. It's nice to know I'm not the only one then

Os for the Linux, that sounds like a good idea. I know there is a lot of open source stuff around. What Linux would you recommend for someone who has little (because I have used it a 'little') experience in it? And can I create the dual boot along side my existing Windows setup?

Thanks for your help everyone, really appreciate it!

[brendandonhu]

Originally Posted by dmurfitt

What Linux would you recommend for someone who has little (because I have used it a 'little') experience in it?

Mandriva, Ubuntu, or Kubuntu. Or make yourself a Knoppix CD to play with.

And can I create the dual boot along side my existing Windows setup?

[aewarnick]

I started with C# and then quickly moved to C++. C# helped me with coding style for my controls, and event handling ideas.

You mentioned not being able to afford VS. It's only 100 bucks for the standard edition. But Dev-C++ works fine and there is a free compiler for C# as well.

[LinuxGold]

Originally Posted by dmurfitt

Hehe, thanks mate. It's nice to know I'm not the only one then

Os for the Linux, that sounds like a good idea. I know there is a lot of open source stuff around. What Linux would you recommend for someone who has little (because I have used it a 'little') experience in it? And can I create the dual boot along side my existing Windows setup?

If you want bootcamp, use Slackware.
If you want GUI-based stuff, use Redhat.

If you want to boot along side your existing windows setup, then you will have to use partition magic or similiar software to resize your windows data on hard drive.

Thanks for your help everyone, really appreciate it!

[brendandonhu]

Many Linux distros resize Windows partitions. Mandriva does this, I believe Ubuntu does as well.

[Squashman]

http://www.delorie.com/djgpp/

[brendandonhu]

Btw, you can do most linux programming from within Windows using Cygwin or MingW.