Classes about programming

[MadMan2k]

I've only dabbled in programming with HTML, and BASIC, but I am considering taking a programming class at the local college. There are a few choices for into programming;

"Prog. Fundamentals with C++"

"Visual Basic I"

"Java Programming"

"Windows GUI Prog. using C++"

I don't know which of these would be best for starting out, I'm guessing either of the first two. Which of those is best for those with little background?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[moo]

I can only speak for Java...it's a good program for beginners as well. I've actually had friends that took C++ and Java recommend Java to me as a first programming class. They reported that C++ wasn't as "fun" as Java and they didn't get see the fruits of all the code they input as much. Just their opinions of course, but Java was my first programming class ever and I thought it was quite simple and fun.

[vass0922]

Really it depends on how much time you want to put it into it
Visual Basic you can do a little bit of work and get quite a bit accomplished, however its usefulness is limited. Also if this isn't a visual basic.net dont' bother, as VB is slowly dying

C++ Difficult language, takes quite a bit of work to get a bit done but probably the most powerful language out on the market and it can be pretty much used for anything.. but again it takes a lot to get it done.

Java is still a bit verbose, requires a lot of code but not as bad as C++. This language does is a good language right now as there is a lot of demand for java developers of course depending on where you are. Its also easy to find support on the language.

If you're starting from the ground and working up, you'll struggle a bit with java or C++ as they're the most difficult in this list but the payback is better and there are less java developers because of it. Whereas there are a gazillion VB developers because its so easy.

Good luck

A woman after my own heart a programmer!
Martoch better watch out

-- edit --
\|/ Don't worry martoch I'd take you over her anyday
(edited so I don't hijack his thread )

[Martoch]

Originally Posted by vass0922

A woman after my own heart a programmer!
Martoch better watch out

*cough*

Um...she never took Java, as a matter of fact she hates programming!

I, on the other hand, did take Java and enjoyed it very much...does that make me more attractive as well vass? (don't even think about asking me out, moo will delete you with the quickness!)


All I've heard about C++ is how difficult it was for beginners. [shrug]

[computerwizz]

Here is a site MadMan2k to learn about C#/Java/JavaScript/XML I thought this might help you.
http://www.dickbaldwin.com/toc.htm

-computerwizz

[SpookyEddy]

If you want to produce useful (all things being relative) applications from the start then I would urge you to consider C#. IMO C# is about as easy as programming languages get, no need to muck around with memory managment etc but flexible enough to get useful work done. Easy access to the .net class library gives you a wealth of prepackaged functionality so you can start churning out useful applications asap.

If you are more interested in starting out from a more academic (for want of a better word) stance then I would suggest C, C++ or Java.

You might also want to consider Python or Ruby (my first choice for most tasks). However you will find it much harder to convince someone to pay you to write Ruby than say Java.

Regards

ed

[vass0922]

Eddy, regarding C# have you tried it with Mono yet?
I'd be curious how effective Mono is on the Linux platform.

[rkyranc]

I have worked in assembler, fortran, pl/1, apl, b (do any of you know what they were?), c, c++, the varieties of quick <you name it>, Visual C++, Visual J, visual basic, etc. For each language I always, as a first exercise, wote a file manager program. In each case it was a matter of needing to do something and then going through the manuals/libraries for the command(s). The best teacher for programming expertise is to make mistakes and find your way out. The harder the lesson the harder it is to forget.

The strategy is simple - DON'T GIVE UP!!

[SpookyEddy]

Hey vass,

Yes I have, although only for an afternoon. I just hacked out some basic apps, your normal Hello World stuff, messing around with IO and data structures etc. I didn't have any problems at all but then I wasn't doing anything remotely clever

I used monodevelop as an IDE (fork of sharpdevelop I think), worked really well although the lack of a GUI forms designer was a bit of a hassle (although thats coming soon I think). For now you can design the UI in glade and hook it in via monodevelop if you want, although I found it a bit harder than using glades Ruby bindings (could just be me).

Anyway, even though I didn't do anything very much with it I felt quite positive about mono. I guess the handling of forms could be make or break for some people.

ed

[MadMan2k]

Thanks for all the comments. I'd like to take a java class based on the comments here, but I looked in the description for that one, and the intro to C++ is a prerequisite.