Where should I re-start?

I'll try to be brief:

I want to be able to code proficiently. My short term goal is to be able to work on a somewhat meaningful project. A simple internet chat client, perhaps, would be an example of what I'd like to be able to work on in the near future.

I wouldn't be starting from scratch. In fact, give me another year or two and I will have been programming for half of my life. The problem is that due to distractions and whatnot, I've never taken the time to learn a particularly useful language. QBASIC, Visual Basic, whatever language it was that they used for those Lego Mindstorms robots, at various points in my life I've known each those languages inside and out. So I'm familiar with the basics--loops, arrays, etc.

I'm not looking for hand holding, just finger pointing. I want to know

1) What language I should pursue.

2) Where I can get information and tutorials on it.

3) What software, such as compilers, I'll need to use the language effectively.

I know each of these questions probably has a debate attached to it, but I trust that any answer considered worthy of being included in the debate would suffice.

A couple of stipulations for the answers: any language I learn would need to work cross-platform. I don't know if that's even an issue, but I have friends on several operating systems and would like to (someday) create applications that we would be able to use together. Second, free is very good. Not to be melodramatic, but I have a hard time feeding myself. I can really only spend money on essentials right now. If absolutely necessary, I can probably get one of my friends to give me a copy of an outdated release, but I'd rather not.

Thank you so much for taking a look at my request, and for any help you can give me.

FIOC python ^[1]

<sub>--
1. http://www.python.org/</sub>

>>2
back to /pr/, please.

>>1
1) factor
2) http://useless-factor.blogspot.com/2007/07/factorial-101.html, http://useless-factor.blogspot.com/2008/02/factorial-102.html, and the excellent built-in documentation which is also at http://docs.factorcode.org/
3) factor

>>1
1) SICP
2) SICP
3) SICP

>>4
Is that even relevant to this thread or just your way of saying "IVE  REED  SICP!"?

>>1

come to this thread
http://dis.4chan.org/read/prog/1240826560

hello im guidoX van rossum join my community of pythonistas if you payme enough i will give you access to a private area of fioc ;)
http://python.org/

DON'T HELP HIM!

QBASIC, Visual Basic
Oh boy.

If those two are the only languages you've ever touched, first try to expand your horizons a little. Look at a few different languages and paradigms.
Try out Python, C/C#, Haskell...

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>>11
Valid whitespace code.

>>11
you are my HERO

>>1
try coding HTML then Java and finally C.

You should start with VB.NET. The IDE is excellent, the language style will be somewhat familiar to you and you can get coding useful things pretty much straight away. Get the free Express Edition from Microsoft's website and work through the tutorials. If you want to be a bit adventurous and branch out a more C-style syntax, try C#.

Or even better, try both. VB.NET first and then C#. You'll get an appreciation of different syntax styles while getting familiar with the .NET framework.

Later, you may want to try other more difficult languages like Python, Haskell, Sepples and so on. But don't start with these.

And forget about cross-platform stuff until you've learned the basics on one platform.

>>15
You should start with VB.NET
try other more difficult languages like Python
HURR DURR

>>16
"Hurr durr" doesn't accurately describe what I picture >>15 to sound like. "Hurr durr" suggests some type of evolutionary achievement, such as the ability to utter a statement that implies stupidity.

I'd think he would sound more similar to Brazilians in MMOs, with a "huahuehuaehuehauehuaehuahue."

For once, it is relevant to suggest reading ``Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs''. See link beneath for full text.

http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html

>>18
s/For once/As usual

    As usual, it is relevant to suggest reading ``Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs''. See link beneath for full text.

    http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html

>>18-20
also, http://www.cs.kent.ac.uk/people/staff/dat/miranda/wadler87.pdf.

>>15
Given the OP's position, that is actually pretty good first step suggestion.

Miranda is like Haskell all over again.

>>16
Python is more difficult if you're trying to make a GUI application.

>>24
the only thing FIOC is any good for at all is making GUI wrappers around programs written in real languages.

I haven't read this thread, but I'm really digging a language called Ruby [ http://ruby-lang.org/ ]
I can also recommend Why's Poignant Guide to Ruby, a quirky introduction to the Ruby language.

>>26
GTFO hipster

>>26
oh yeah it's totally kawaii lol desu, i love reflexive languages ^_^ they make my peepee happy

>>28
LOL, ``peepee'', I haven't heard that word since first grade. You sir, have made my day.

ruby isn't reflexive at all! you can't even write mutually recursive anonymous functions by pulling each function's caller out of the call stack and executing it!

[spoiler]i'm pretty sure ecmascript (javascript, actionscript, jscript.net, etc.) is the only language that actually lets you do that...

write mutually recursive anonymous functions by pulling each function's caller out of the call stack and executing it!
I came

Basic has tainted you.

Learn C, it's the only way.
Reasons:
It's extremely simple to do many things in it.
It is extremely powerful, you can do anything, as long as you're willing to put in much hard work.
It teaches you to manage resources (dat memory) well.
Supported by and protable to practially every platform ever.

After you have mastered creating a project of moderate size in C, I recommend C++ or Java/C# depending if you want more power and flexibility at the cost of increased complexity OR less power then C++ and more things are taken care for you...but beware, both Java and C# suffer from ENTERPISEITIS meaning most things will be easy, but others will make you want to shoot yourself in the head.

>>30
Well, there's sys._getframe, but Guido-sama will give you a trashing if you use it. It's all because he loves us, though.

>>30
use Devel::Caller 'caller_cv';
sub {print "a"; (caller_cv(1) || sub {print "b"; caller_cv(1)->()})->()}->()
filthy unbeliever

>>30
lrn2bbcode

>>32
It's extremely simple to do many things in it.
You mean it's extremely complicated.

It is extremely powerful, you can do anything, as long as you're willing to put in much hard work.
Wat. Is a human powered vehicle more powerful than a motorized one because you have to work harder? Power isn't what you think it is.

It teaches you to manage resources (dat memory) well.
No, it teaches you to manage memory manually, not well. Good memory management is parsimonious memory management, and is equally an issue in all languages.

Supported by and protable to practially every platform ever.
You know how I love to prot, but how many of us are actually programming on every platform ever?

I recommend C++ or Java/C#
Just no. I shouldn't even have to explain why.


C has tainted you.

Learn Lisp, it's the only way.
Reasons:
It's actually simple to do many things in it.
It it actually powerful, in the sense that lets you work smarter instead of harder.
It lets you learn to abstract well.
Supported on all the platforms you're probably using.

After you have masteredbecome competant at creating a project of moderate size in Lisp, I recommend doing it again.

I recommend doing it again.
Only this time, generate all your code using macros

>>36
[quote]HI MOM I CODE IN LISP[/quote]
Get your coat and leave, son.

>>36
I shouldn't even have to explain why.
Quite the assertion you've made. I love the way you've backed up your example with a personal preference.

>>38
You're the one on my /prog/. Back to /pr/ with you. This here is Lisp country.

>>39
In what world is it "quite an assertion" to say no to a recommendation like that? Not in the real world, certainly.

>>38
using [quote] tags, which aren't supported by W4C BBCode.
GTFO

>>39
After you've managed to pierce your scrotum, I recommend hanging yourself from the ceiling by a hook through the piercing
No.
Quite the assertion.

>>40,42
The assertion was "I shouldn't even have to explain why."

>>43
Why should I have to explain common knowledge?

>>44
Don't let 'em say you're not beautiful. They can all get fucked just stay true to you

>>44
It's not common knowledge to someone with BASIC experience as their most intensive language. Furthermore, your personal tastes do not constitute "common knowledge."

Also, I can get fucked. Just stay true to you.

>>46
personal tastes
ITT, reality is a matter of opinion.

>>47
This is what Lisp users actually believe.

>>48
Because Lisp users are the only ones who know what they're talking about.

I second using one of the .NET languages.

Go for it, OP!

c has extensive guest

>>49
This is what Lisp users actually believe.

>>52
Obviously. It's true.

>>49,52,53
Hey Guys, can I get access to your secret area of spoilers

>>54
Only if you payus enough ;)

Lain.