Introduction and Thanks in Advance!

Well, after years (I say years but I can't really remember how long) of telling myself I should take the time to learn to code, I have finally made myself take the time to do it. I am doing this all on my own using online Tutorials, a few kind folks who are giving me tips, and Xcode for Mac. I am NOT in school but I am giving myself homework and assignments so that I truly grasp what I am learning. Obviously I will no doubt have silly questions and so I am asking you all to stick it out with me so that one day I can say I finally learned C++.

I am actually using the programming tutorials found at C programming.com - Your Resource for C and C++ Programming and have just gotten through the second lesson and it brought me to my first question. So without further ado...or typing...

On the quiz was this question:

3. Evaluate !(1 && !(0 || 1)).

A. True
B. False
C. Unevaluatable

My answer to this was B and here is why:

According to my understanding...ok...while looking at this problem to explain why I got my answer, I have figured out what I missed originally and have found why the correct answer is A. So...you can ignore my question for now...but be sure I will have more to come! In the meantime, thanks in advance for letting me ask VERY stupid questions (as I am sure I will) and I look forward to getting to know you all.


Will

I know that for now and some foreseeable time you'll be coding console applications, but I see you're using XCode on Mac. Do you intend to learn to write for Mac GUI applications in C/C++? For Mac you'll want to eventually (not now) learn some Objective-C (it's actually quite simple/short learning curve once you've grasped C or C++).

You have chosen a complex language to study, but I have a suggestion or two.

Consider, carefully, learning C++ instead of C. For sound reasoning on why, look for Stroustrup's text on the "Design and Evolution of C++" (It's not a C++ textbook). There he points out something those of us who've climbed this mount know well; to learn C++, you must 'unlearn' habits developed as a C developer. It's actually less confusing to learn C++ first, especially if you're aiming toward application development (as opposed to OS development).

For that matter, if you're new to programming, I should point out that you're starting in the deep end of the pool. There are certain personality/student/mental acuity types that like that approach, and I'm one of them. However, it's rather common to consider a "gentler" language with C related syntax as a study, first. Java on the Mac comes to mind. Don't let my suggestion divert you, though - it's not a firm recommendation for a disciplined mind. Kids, on the other hand (and, now that I'm 40 something, everyone under 30 is seeming younger to me than I ever believed) have some need for gentler introductions, except for the brave few.

Let me try:

!(1 && !(0 || 1))

!(1 && !(True))

!(1 && False)

!(False)

True or A...

Easy...

Quote:

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Java on the Mac comes to mind. Don't let my suggestion divert you, though - it's not a firm recommendation for a disciplined mind.

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Believe me I appreciate your advice and opinion. Its hard when using google as your main deciding factor to determine exactly what is the best choice. There are so many new languages, specifically for gaming, that are popping up in a "point and click" type setting where you really don't learn the "how" and "why" of coding.

I chose C++ because it is very universal and has lots of helpful information online. It is also a very old coding language (considering coding having a relatively young life in general) and so it seemed like a great first step to me. That might be my biggest problem if I am reading you right. So to respond to your post I am going to answer some of your rhetorical questions and then maybe you can give me your opinion from there.

1. I don't know what I want to do with coding. Like many others I love the gaming industry but I am not your typical "gamer wanting to make games." I have no preconceived notions that it will be easy and fast and I am ok with that. I enjoy a challenge. If gaming was an option however, I certainly wouldn't turn that down.

2. I use a Mac because its what I used and still use for my actual career which is currently in the music industry. I would love to be able to continue using my Mac so that I don't have to buy a PC as well just for coding, but again, I have no idea what I will be doing with this and so I just want to learn the basics of a language or two until I can get a clearer picture of where I want to take it.

3. I am doing this on my own, for free, and would love to keep it that way as long as possible. I realize that this is not the best strategy but its the only option for me currently unless someone wants to tutor me privately via some sort of e-mail or instant messaging system. This of course means I am relying on tutorials, exercises, and other forms of free online help.

4. I have NO attachment to my current direction. If starting with Java is a better route to helping me successfully code then I am ok with that. I know that I can code in Java on Xcode so that is great.

As I said I am 100% open to any and all help. Thanks so much for your response.