Thread: first prog. language

  1. #1
    back? dbaryl's Avatar
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    first prog. language

    It might be a little weird asking this on a C/C++ board, but... I heard that is is not suggested to learn either of these languages as the first programming language. Can you guys tell me the reasons for this, and which language would be best for a newbie to start with instead?
    This is my signature. Remind me to change it.

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    Registered User CompiledMonkey's Avatar
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    Java. Once you understand the true object nature Java presents, every other language will be cake.

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    l'Anziano DavidP's Avatar
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    I would say Logo or BASIC. They are good for getting down the general concepts of programming.
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    "Circular logic is good because it is."

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    the hat of redundancy hat nvoigt's Avatar
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    PASCAL is nice for learning the concepts of programming like loops, functions, pointers. C/C++ are far too cryptic. Java and other OOP languages have to deal with teaching OOP principles before even teaching the most basic things, which in my oppinion will lead to confusion.

    So for pure learning: Pascal.
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    Refugee face_master's Avatar
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    Thumbs down RRRRAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

    >>Java. Once you understand the true object nature Java >>presents, every other language will be cake.

    Are you INSANE!?!?
    I agree with nvoigt 100% of the way. I started to learn Java at the same time as my friend (who had NO experience in programming exept HTML and DHTML) and I learnt it in about 2 weeks and he gave up after about 1 month becuase he was so confused with the OOP side of it. If you recommend Java as a first language, you should be taken out and beaten

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    Registered User Nutshell's Avatar
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    I started programming by buying the book 'Beginning programming for dummies'. It's pretty good, covers a lota general stuff. And the language it uses was liberty basic. But it's kinda useless.

    Well i'll say my first programming language is VB, if it is considered as one...

  7. #7
    Fingerstyle Guitarist taylorguitarman's Avatar
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    Pascal gets my vote too.
    If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to see it, do the other trees make fun of it?

  8. #8
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    gw-basic was my first language

  9. #9
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    I would also vote for Pascal and I would add that Pascal is not only a very well language for learning programming, it is also good language for programming applications.

  10. #10
    Registered User Kupo's Avatar
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    c++ was my first language.

    'cos i'm 'ARD.

    but it was stupid and i wouldn't advise it.

  11. #11
    Refugee face_master's Avatar
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    >>but it was stupid and i wouldn't advise it.

    Why would you not advise it? As long as your book / teacher starts off slow to let you take the basics in, whats the problem?

  12. #12
    Used Registerer jdinger's Avatar
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    The first language I ever played around with was QBASIC back in the day, but the first language that I learned and was serious about was Pascal.

  13. #13
    Registered User Kupo's Avatar
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    Originally posted by face_master
    >>but it was stupid and i wouldn't advise it.

    Why would you not advise it? As long as your book / teacher starts off slow to let you take the basics in, whats the problem?
    i had c++ for dummies, which kindly introduced me to all the programming stuff i needed to know, having no prior knowledge of it.

    but it's a complicated language, what with all the memory stuff involved.

  14. #14
    Registered User CompiledMonkey's Avatar
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    Re: RRRRAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

    Originally posted by face_master
    >>Java. Once you understand the true object nature Java >>presents, every other language will be cake.

    Are you INSANE!?!?
    I agree with nvoigt 100% of the way. I started to learn Java at the same time as my friend (who had NO experience in programming exept HTML and DHTML) and I learnt it in about 2 weeks and he gave up after about 1 month becuase he was so confused with the OOP side of it. If you recommend Java as a first language, you should be taken out and beaten
    But that's just the point. If you can understand OOP, you'll be set.

  15. #15
    Seeking motivation... endo's Avatar
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    C++ was my first language but thats because it was being taught in the course that I had joined. Of course I did look for C++ to be on the curriculum instead of BASIC.

    Its very hard to judge the best language to start with because after a while you forget how hard it all was to begin with. There is enough tough stuff in a C++ hello world app, let alone the java version!

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