I have to say, if you want to get into programming seriously DO NOT start with Python or BASIC. Why? Because their syntax is very different to the languages (such as C) used for more mainstream purposes. If start with Python or BASIC your going to have a much harder time learning C, which is what most programs are written in. Also things like Java and PHP use a syntax that's very C likeM
So I very strongly advise, speaking as somebody who learn't BASIC and regretted it frankly, don't learn BASIC unless that's all you intend to ever use. C will, PHP or Java will be a lot better places to start. C will be the most difficult but also the most useful. Jamie Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device -----Original Message----- From: "Eugene V. Lyubimkin" <jackyf.de...@gmail.com> Date: Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:10:40 To: Jeff Soules<sou...@gmail.com> Cc: <debian-user@lists.debian.org> Subject: Re: Which programming Language Jeff Soules wrote: >> So start with Python or Basic (search for Gambas IDE). > > I hear that Python is an excellent learning language. However, I > think that Basic might be less useful for this, simply because it's > very different from the major language families and (last I heard) > still relied on some features that teach bad habits. Also, I do not > believe Basic is used very much in the Unix/Linux world; it might be > more useful if you intend to work with Windows a lot. > > If you are comfortable with how the insides of a computer work (mainly > with memory), then actually I would encourage you to learn C early on. > (If you are not comfortable with how the insides of a computer work, > you should become comfortable; you'll need to know soon enough.) > > C has a few features (variable and function declarations, strict type > checking) that are good reinforcement when starting out, and learning > C syntax will set you up well to learn C++, Java, and Perl as you > progress. Don't include Perl here, it has much different concepts than C/C++/Java. -- Eugene V. Lyubimkin aka JackYF, JID: jackyf.devel(maildog)gmail.com C++/Perl developer, Debian Maintainer
