Thread: Getting Started

  1. #1
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    Getting Started

    ok, I have previously learnt php which I got the hang of reasonably quickly. What I would like to do though is to start programming.

    I am using linux ubuntu so I have the gcc commands in terminal to compile. I would like to know, what language is best to start of with, c, c# or c++.

    I have programmed some very basic apps in c already that do things like calculate windchill factors. What I would like to do is make a messenger program that uses the msn connection. And also weird as it sounds has no gui and just runs in terminal.

    What language is best for me to learn and how should I get started?

    Apologies if this is in the wrong place.

  2. #2
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    This forum is really for Linux-specific questions. Your questions are general questions; it just so happens that you're using Linux.

    I'll move this to general discussion, but you should also do a board search. There's usually about two "what should I start with" threads per month.
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  3. #3
    l'Anziano DavidP's Avatar
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    You said a couple of keywords that will get you a lot of help from these forums:

    "I have previously learnt php"
    "I have programmed some very basic apps in c already"
    "weird as it sounds has no gui and just runs in terminal."

    The reason being is that so many people come in here wanting to make the greatest game ever, and they don't realize what it takes

    Honestly...any of the 3 languages you named would be excellent languages, but since you are using Linux I would suggest either C or C++. C# does have support on Linux...I just haven't researched the extent of that support.

    You should research the sockets API on Linux.
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    ok, also can you give me some idea for programs that you started with. What is a good idea for a program that I can try and work on that wont be overly complicated for someone with low level c experience but isn't just gonna pop up a message on the screen saying hello world or 10 * 2 is 20.

    Im jsut wondering what kind of programs you were making at this stage?

  5. #5
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    Im jsut wondering what kind of programs you were making at this stage?
    It depends on what stage you are talking about. When you say you have programmed a couple of apps, if you are talking of full fledged applications, then I don't think there should be any problems in making a terminal based chat client.
    Code:
    >+++++++++[<++++++++>-]<.>+++++++[<++++>-]<+.+++++++..+++.[-]>++++++++[<++++>-] <.>+++++++++++[<++++++++>-]<-.--------.+++.------.--------.[-]>++++++++[<++++>- ]<+.[-]++++++++++.

  6. #6
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    well fully fledged apps? I mean basic apps like wind-chill calculators. I am also working on a simple IPM battle sim for OGame, but am having some problems with arrays,
    Last edited by MadnessRed; 08-23-2008 at 05:07 AM.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by MadnessRed View Post
    well by fully fledged apps, I mean basic apps like wind-chill calculators. I am also working on a simple IPM battle sim for OGame, but am having some problems with arrays,
    If you struggle with arrays, I think you need to learn a bit more before you attack something as complicated as a chat program.

    You can of course start working on some functions related to chatting, such as keeping track of who the users are that are chatting - that would be an array of names, so it would give you a bit of practice with arrays and strings, which will give you useful knowledge for the rest of the application.

    --
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  8. #8
    Woof, woof! zacs7's Avatar
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    Socket programming is no easy task, certainly not something I'd recommend starting with.

    There is already a text-based MSN client, tmsnc (it's abandoned) as is its replacement Fama-IM (which I worked on for a while ). The main go ahead for "terminal" chatting is various programs that interface with MSN through IRC (which you'd use a terminal IRC client) -- see BitlBee.

    Also saying you've "learnt" a language is a pretty hard thing to claim, having a firm grasp of the language and being able to to write "hello world" by yourself are worlds apart. Depending on whether you've been using the OO aspects of PHP or in a more procedural manner should determine which of C or C++ (or both) you "should" learn.

    As for the stage you're at, I also "came from PHP"... but I mainly mucked around (I have no projects to produce) -- various personal projects, such as a speed limiting HTTP proxy, etc. Perhaps joining a project is a good idea (look around on sf.net).
    Last edited by zacs7; 08-23-2008 at 08:09 AM.

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