[Mikhail]

I wouldn't say C,C++ are bad languages I know both the main thing I can say that either of the languages C or Perl take or give are useful for their own purposes.

[OliveOyl3471]

biggles2008, on 18 Jun, 2008 - 12:10 PM, said:

Where did you learn to program? School, websites, books???

Also which language do you prefer and why?

I started learning in college. Continuing learning at dic.
C# is my favorite probably because it's the one I started learning most recently, so it's the freshest in my memory. I also like C++ and VB.
One of my instructors said we ought to learn COBOL, but it's not being taught anywhere that I know of.

mikeblas, on 20 Jun, 2008 - 05:02 AM, said:

I started with machine language -- not even assembler. I think everyone should, as I meet lots of developers who don't know how computers actually work yet insist they can write great code.

Machine language? You mean like this: 110011100101 ?

This post has been edited by OliveOyl3471: 24 June 2008 - 10:51 PM

[BenignDesign]

biggles2008, on 18 Jun, 2008 - 01:10 PM, said:

Where did you learn to program? School, websites, books???

All of the above.

I learned BASIC in high school.

I learned C++, VB and COBOL in college.

I learned to write DOS batch files, UNIX scripts and SQL queries from books.

I learned web languages (HTML/XHTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript, Flash/Actionscript, XML) from websites.

I prefer HTML/XHTML and CSS just because it's easy to do. But I also do a lot of PHP scripting these days - writing logins, database access panels and content management systems.

[zippziggy]

I started with HTML, which i guess technically is'nt a programming language, then I worked a little with python, and RUBY. I really don't use either of them anymore. Then I started learning my favorite language, C#.

[Einherjar]

I started learning programming back when I was in 9th grade by picking up books on C. From there I went to C++, eventually Java, some C#, php blah blah blah. I'm currently in college and have been working towards a computer science degree so school is also teaching me as well.

I would say my favorite language is C++. I don't really know why, other than the fact that I've programmed in it the most compared to other languages so I feel right at home.

[gabehabe]

OliveOyl3471, on 24 Jun, 2008 - 09:32 AM, said:

One of my instructors said we ought to learn COBOL, but it's not being taught anywhere that I know of.

That's no excuse! You can teach yourself anything!

OliveOyl3471, on 24 Jun, 2008 - 09:32 AM, said:

Machine language? You mean like this: 110011100101 ?

I'm not too sure about machine language but that's binary

I just started learning C# since I've applied for an apprenticeship [interview tomorrow, totally nervous ]

It's no experience necessary, but I like to be ahead

[polymath]

Quote

Quote

QUOTE(OliveOyl3471 @ 24 Jun, 2008 - 09:32 AM)
One of my instructors said we ought to learn COBOL, but it's not being taught anywhere that I know of.

That's no excuse! You can teach yourself anything! wink.gif

I taught myself C++ without anything but me, my brain, and a few online tutorials. Sure, not the fastest or easiest way to learn a language, but hey, its an option.

This post has been edited by polymath: 26 June 2008 - 09:29 AM

[gabehabe]

Same here, I've learned everything I know thanks to the internet

[PixelCard]

I've learned everything with the help of books (lots of books), Internet and of course my parents (since they work with programming languages). I still consider that the best way of learning a programming language is to get a real-world experience (such as creating something you need). But, of course, books and online tutorials are a great way to get a head-start.

[nirvanarupali]

Quote

I taught myself C++ without anything but me, my brain

You mean you taught yourself C++ without books? Man, you're genius.

I taught myself C++ too but with a lot of books.

This post has been edited by nirvanarupali: 26 June 2008 - 10:49 PM

[gabehabe]

Correction, I learned from 3 books. How could I forget them?

But the majority of my learning has been done with online tutorials

[polymath]

nirvanarupali, on 27 Jun, 2008 - 01:48 AM, said:

Quote

I taught myself C++ without anything but me, my brain

You mean you taught yourself C++ without books? Man, you're genius.

I taught myself C++ too but with a lot of books.

If my parents saw me walking out of a library with a c++ book, they would flip. They're anti-technology. That's why I always sound like an idiot in the c++ forum when I'm wrong and i'm trying to help someone:

Quote

Lies, all Lies!!

[mikeblas]

OliveOyl3471, on 24 Jun, 2008 - 01:32 AM, said:

Machine language? You mean like this: 110011100101 ?

Yes, kind of.

Assembly is a language that you feed an assembler, and it outputs machine language. C++ is a language you feed a C++ compiler, an it outputs machine language.

Machine language is the language the CPU speaks, regardless of how it is represented -- hex, octal, or binary, take your pick. You're writing the bytes yourself, without the benefit of any symbols or mnemonics or higher-level abstractions.

[no2pencil]

Amadeus, on 20 Jun, 2008 - 08:22 AM, said:

That being said, I have no problem with their use at all - the speed up application development and make programming accessible to a wider segment of people (which I think is great). I just prefer people to have a lower level understanding of what's actually going on. Anyone can write cout<<"Hello World"<<endl;, but a decided ly smaller set of programmers could explain to you how that translates from keystrokes to implementation.

My friend (whom writes in VB) & I have gone back & forth over this argument more times than I can remember!

My argument, knowledge of the program at the lowest level is the most important.
My friends argument, speed & efficiency. The wheel already exists, use it, don't study it.

The funny thing is, we actually make a good team (when working on Windows apps) because he can do the interface overnight, & I can implement DLL's for speeding up repetition.

& being that we can be mortal enemies on a friend level is great, because we've actually had code-offs (after a heated argument lol), & then review what one another had accomplished.

[captainhampton]

The material to learn programming is everywhere, it's really all about motive and dedication to the topic to get you going on the language.