New to Programming

[matchai]

Hey guys (and Girl ),

I wanted to start learn a programming language so I decided to start with Visual Basic 2008 because I was told it had an easy interface and would be easy to start with so I can move on o C# and C++.

I started a little and then I spoke to my friend's dad who has a masters in Computer Sciences and told him that I am starting Visual Basic. Right away he told me that VB sucks and is made by Microsoft and if I wanted not to get messed up when I move on to other languages I shouldn't learn Visual Basic.

In your opinions, what should I start...

I want to be able to make programs with a GUI (no program ideas in specific) but nothing too hard since I am just a beginner.

If there is something I missed in the poll, tell me and I'll add it...

Thanks alot!

[Dekar]

Go for java or c#, they're both modern languages and really similar. If you know one you can write the other as well. When I got my job I had to work with c# for the first time and I felt familiar the first day - since I knew java already. I'd go with eclipse and java since I don't like being bound to m$, but that's up to you. C# is really nice as well. If you want to work with hardware you should better go for c++ though.

[Senethior459]

Python is an easy language to start out with.

[Ken]

C# is a good starting language, since it seems to be one of your choices there anyway...

I also voted for COBOL in the poll since I've heard it sucks nuts.

[Dekar]

With java you can have your applications run in web browsers as well as on mobile phones. And ofc on all operating systems. - I think that should count in as well Using the gcj of the gcc you can even compile it to native binary which is what gives c++ it's speed, though it locks the binary to one architecture. Instead normal java programs run everywhere without recompiling. I think java is way more flexible, as long as you don't plan to work on Windows/driver/hardware related things you shouldn't need c# - and if you do you'd be better with c++.

Games like http://www.tribaltrouble2.com/ show the power of java - you can make a game that starts inside the browser, then switches to full-screen and becomes a 3d online rts.

[matchai]

Nice, thanks Dekar...

Is it easy? Because I have never learned any programming languages aside from the small bit I learned of Visual Basic.

[UndeadxAssassin]

I know very little programming languages, so I can't give you an insight to them, but when my friend took JAVA and C++ classes, I was somewhat able to follow it (for having little interest in it, at least..). He said it was easy (granted, he DID graduate as validictorian of his high school...) and his only intro to the language was his AP Programming class, which I assume used JASS.

[Dekar]

I don't think object oriented programing in general is easy if you're not used to it.

[Risen]

You've got two concepts, either programming is in your genes(you can learn it VERY easy), or you just like it but it's not in your genes.

If you're the type with it in your genes, go for C++ / Java.

Otherwise, my suggestion is to start with Python. Python is 60x slower than C++, but i'd assume thousands of times faster than JASS.

You probably won't be needing python for much speed anyways, since you're generally just going to get used to programming, then hop up to a modern language.

VB is bad because it teaches you bad habits, Python is VERY strict on the syntax, which in turn, gives you good habits.

[matchai]

I have decided to start with Python so I can get the hang of programming then I will move on to other languages such as Java...

Thanks guys for your recommendations