[oclug] Easiest and most usefull language to learn?

[Ian Wormsbecker]

I agree with Andrew here. If you want to learn to write code, then go with a
language like basic or something. If you want to be able to say to people that
you are a "programmer", then go with a language as others have suggested. If you
wish to actually be a programmer, then I suggest learning C, LISP, prolog, some
type of assembly, and perhaps SmallTalk. I think only then will you have a solid
grasp of what programming is and what it can do for you.  You will want to learn
things such as algorithms and data structures, optimization and software
engineering.  I am a very young programmer (ie: I have only been doing it for 4
years) but I am constantly baffled at seeing so called experienced programmers
start an integer sorting routine with two nested for loops. As far as I am
concerned these people write code, they don't program.

I would recommend C++ as a good starting language as well. With all the good
stuff in the STL, it should be pretty simple to learn the basics of programming,
plus you can use your knowledge towards becoming an expert in two very powerful
languages: C and C++.  C and C++ are two very platform independent languages (as
far as the standards are concerned) and once you learn them, you should have no
problem picking up other languages.

My 2 cents

Ian





Andrew Hutton wrote:

> While these is true, and I support these opinions 100% if you're looking
> to learn programming as a commodity or "to get something done".
>
> If your end goal is to learn how computers work... and you feel up to
> it... pick up a 68000 assembly book at a used book shop.  ALL of the
> really clueful people I respect for their computing knowledge seem to
> have started with ASM of some kind.  It teaches respect, humility, and
> exactly WHY you do things a certain way.
>
> Again, if your only goal is to learn a bit, or sell yourself as a
> "programmer" then the first approach is likely the one you want.
>
> On Tue, Feb 06, 2001 at 01:57:44PM -0500, David Rowe wrote:
> > One of the easiest and useful languages that I know of is Python
> > (www.python.org).  It is available on all common operating systems (Mac,
> > Windows, Linux, Unices, etc.).  It does not require you to declare what type
> > a variable is.  It has garbage collection so you don't have to worry about
> > freeing the memory that variables use.  It supports both object oriented and
> > procedural programming styles.  It comes with a large library of code.
> >
> > Once you get Python under your belt then I would explore a language like
> > Java to get a feel for languages requiring declarations.
> >
> > Only then would I look into C++, Perl, Visual Basic, Cobol, etc.
> >
> > David Rowe
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: oclug-admin at lists.oclug.on.ca
> > [mailto:oclug-admin at lists.oclug.on.ca]On Behalf Of Blashy - none -
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 12:26 PM
> > To: oclug at lists.oclug.on.ca
> > Subject: [oclug] Easiest and most usefull language to learn?
> >
> >
> > I've asked a similar question in the past at one of the meetings.
> >
> > But now I send it to this list.
> >
> > I have NO programming experience.
> >
> > I would like to see if programming is something I would be intersted in.
> >
> > What would be the easiest language to learn AND that is at the same time a
> > very usefull language in today's work place?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Ricky
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> --
> Andrew J. Hutton,
> Ottawa Linux Symposium, International Linux Developers Conference
> http://www.linuxsymposium.org/    July 25th-28th, 2001
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