hey,
i want to learn a programming language, but i am not sure where to start, which one to choose. i have looked at c++ and java just thought about them nothing else, but im not sure if i should learn one of these as i dont know anything about this area in computing. if you choose one language over another does it effect the type of programs that you will be able to create? what is the most popular language that is used?

A reply to this would be much appricated

Harry

Basic is very easy

On the following site it has all the languages (tutorials), in an order that i found easy to follow. Start with HTML, the CSS, etc.


www.w3schools.com


mik

I think java would be the way to go. Its very popular and in high demand.

chits,

It really depends on what you want to do with your skills. If you are interested in learning programming as the beginning of a career, I would recommend you buckle down and throw yourself into Java. If you're interested in doing web programming for the purposes of getting involved heavily with the net, then I would recommend HTML (that's not programming, BTW), JavaScript, PHP and SQL.

Good luck! It's addicting!

if you aren't going t web - learn c++ - it's a powerful tool. for web - PHP, JS (for visal effects mostly, but not only). HTML, of course, but it's a marking language - not a programming... To work with databases you will need SQL. Well, it will be enough to start

I know a little bit of basic javascript, but no Java. Could anybody explain what the difference is between them?

Originally Posted by Xxxxxpp

I know a little bit of basic javascript, but no Java. Could anybody explain what the difference is between them?

Everything. The fact that the word "Java" ended up in JavaScript is one of the great misfortunes of internet history. The two have absolutely no connection.

Java is a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. JavaScript was developed by Netscape.

Cheers, so either language is good, so are there any advantages in learning either one of them or not?

Originally Posted by Kyrnt

Java is a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. JavaScript was developed by Netscape.

Yep, and Netscape called it JavaScript only because Java was a very popular language at the time. Netscape hoped by riding the wave, they could succeed in making their new scripting language popular...and they did.

Conker

Originally Posted by chits

Cheers, so either language is good, so are there any advantages in learning either one of them or not?

Java is more for hardcore programmers, and it's rarely used on the web except in the form of applets. Java would be useful if you intend on going into the hard sciences, or if you plan on programming for a living (although C++ would probably be even better for that).

JavaScript is a useful tool on the web, but futile off it.

Conker

Originally Posted by conkermaniac

Java is more for hardcore programmers, and it's rarely used on the web except in the form of applets. Java would be useful if you intend on going into the hard sciences, or if you plan on programming for a living (although C++ would probably be even better for that).

A great deal of sites do run on the J2EE platform implementing JSPs, servlets and EJBs on the backend in addition to a lot of the new infrastructures such as Struts and Java Server Faces.

But conker is right in that if you want to begin to get into web programming, I always suggest learning first HTML markup (not really programming), then JavaScript and then PHP and SQL.

If you are truly interested in programming as a career, Java is a prime choice.

I do Java and its pretty neat since its 100% OOP from the ground up. C++ can have OOP.
The syntax is pretty much the same in C++ and Java so learning both lang won't be hard at all. Java doesn't have some things c++ has and one is pointers. Java you do not have to worry about memory leaks which is good also and is great over networks. and programs made in it will work on many platforms.

-C++-
#include <iostream.h>
main(){
cout<<"Hello welcome to c++";
}

-Java-
public class hello{

public static void main(String[] args){
System.out.print("Welcome to Java");
}
}


You can see they both call main first also.
-Basic-
print "Welcome to Basic"

Basic, which is a good starting lang, is pretty much what a lot of people use, but there are so many versions of basic out.

There is also Delphi and so on.

It sounds like you want to do web development. Learn html, css, javascript and then get into server side programming for dynamic content. I recommend PHP and then learn how it works with MySQL database.

I'd agree. If you're looking to do web stuff, HTML is the best place to start. Then it might be worth doing some CSS/JavaScript if you're more intersted in the design side. If not, go straight on to PHP. It's pretty easy to learn and very powerful.

If you want to do some 'real' programming go for Java. It's easier to learn and harder to break than C++. You can get some great development environments free too and it's muli-platform.

A very easy to learn system is using http://www.bluej.org/ Its an IDE and you can buy a book to go with it. It starts very basic, so if you've already done some programming it's probably not worth it, but it's not bad for beginners.

php is incredably easy until you get to database interactions and SQL. Then it gets confusing as hell till u practice some.

What no mention of my old freind 'C' ! Shocking.

But then C is a beast best left to experts its unforgiving and will let you do things you dont expect.

I think Java is OK but crap (too slow and constantly on the change) C++ is a good language but the learning curve and concepts to use it properly are quite a lot to get to grips with as with java.

I learned to program in Pascal back in (well it was a while ago), After learning 'C' which is actually a very very powerfull language (and a nasty one in the wrong hands) I found that ten minutes with any language and i can get something going on.

In the web enviroment though you cant beat PHP.

But with any language you choose to learn you will find your self confused bewildered and out of depth with whats going on, unless your names Linus and your writing the Linux Kernel from scratch in C

Ibbo

Gotta remember - HTML isn't a programming language, however is a good place to start. I would then move on to a bit of PHP (using logical operators at first), and just play around for a little. then onto Javascript. C++ is also a good place to start. Similarities appear in most programming languages, you've just got to find out which ones you can master, and which ones you can't

If you want job-security learn C++. But don't start with it. Start with BASIC or Visual Basic, but don't get too set in your ways, move quickly into the .NET languages like C#. Finally tackle the monster that is C++. It is the most valuable language to learn and know. Forget Java -- Java programs look and run crappy no matter what operating system they run on.

As far as scripting languages I'd learn first VBScript, then JavaScript, then JScript (JavaScript's twisted cousin made by Microsoft), and finally Perl. PHP is good to know, but I seriously could live without knowing it. The most powerful scripting language by far is C# when used in the context of ASP.NET web apps. It makes me want to poop my pants just thinking about it.