Learning to code

I want to learn how to code, how should I go about it?

The best way to learn would be to read Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, a great book that takes you from nothing to being an expert programmer.

>>2

Anything else?

>>3
Watch the MIT lectures as you read.
http://www.archive.org/details/mit_ocw_sicp

>>4

Thank you.

>>3

Well, there are some tips.

First, coding is all about problem solving. Problem solving isn't a simple task, but it's not where near impossible. The only thing that distinguishes the best coders in the world and the worst ones is that the best ones always challenge themselves, try to learn more and work on their skills whereas the latter gave up when they found something to be "too hard".

The other thing is learning how to learn -- how to teach yourself. Whenever you find something you don't understand, look in the manual. If you can't find it in the manual, google it. If you can't find it with google, ask here. Never let something slip by without understand it.

Other than that, maybe you should get a clue about what programming languages there are:

- LISP breads (Common Lisp, Scheme, etc.) are functional programming languages. Scheme is the best one to start learning from, but you might have a preference for Common Lisp or another LISP dialect later. Haskell is a "purely" functional language, but I wouldn't recommend going there for starters.

- C++/Java/C# Enterprise bullshit. Stay clear away from that.

- Python/Perl/Ruby/etc. are "toy languages". It doesn't hurt to learn one of them; they can be handy sometimes, but you won't really do anything big with them.

- Traditional languages like C are good to learn and hard to master, so you might want to do that after mastering a few languages, but you probably won't depend on C for anything big unless you're a Linuxer.

>>1,3,5
noko does not work here. It's considered polite to use sage instead to avoid bumping the thread unless one is contributing something significant.

The following posts are trolls:
>>2,4,6

Sorry OP, people here are dickheads. Just google "[programming language here] tutorial" or grab a book from a library.

C is actually a great way to start.

>>8
>>6
Did you even read him? That was the best /prog/post I've seen in a while.

>>9
Except that Java is a great way to get into OO programming and LISP is a horrible way to learn anything.

>>10
And who's the troll now? Java is a horrible way to learn anything, if you want OO go with Smalltalk.

>>11
Java is a horrible way to learn anything
The problem is you deluded people have really convinced yourself this.

Good beginners programming languages are things like C and Java. You can learn a lot fast and bounce around to other languages easily with that basis. Recommending LISP shit and Smalltalk is something only a hipster would do.

>>12
Enjoy your COBOL with classes, I'll not get trolled more.

>>8,10
I'm not a troll. How about next time you, before showing your zealot hatred, try to comprehend what you read? People like you scare away newcomers everywhere in every community.

Scheme is a great educational language. Nobody can deny that.

Java's OOP is made of shit. I'm not saying there's no use for Java; I can easily come up with scenarios where Java could be very useful. But it's simply not the right place to learn anything, let alone start from.

What language he will be using in the future might be dictated by many other factors than just what he likes or what is the best; that's none of my business. I'm pointing out to him the right way to LEARN. And then, after he becomes a real programmer, he can freely choose whatever suits him.

The first thing to realize is that /prog/ only busies itself with toy programming languages and never actually makes anything substantial. When in doubt, do the opposite of what /prog/ says.

>>6
I agree with your points except when you called Perl, Python, and Ruby "toy" languages. They are far from toys. Every single one of those languages is fun, like a toy, yes . . . but they are still extremely powerful and just as good for large projects as any other language (if not better.)

Python and Ruby for instance, support Object Orientated Programming, and Ruby supports meta-programming. Great for abstraction and working close to the problem domain. I see they are interpreted, often glue languages, but I wouldn't disregard either of them as inadequate toys for my projects.

I would like a reply from you since what you wrote was pretty interesting and most of us agreed with it.

If anyone wants to check you can look at all the great (large) software projects using one or all of the above languages on source forge.

Why are we recommending something as complicated as Scheme for a beginner? You have to admit, if that's the first language you came across on your journey you might well have quit. Instead I recommend Python. It's easy, you will have fun, you will enjoy programming. It will delight you. Then when you're hooked you can move onto solving problems with other languages. (C is also a good language to learn but it's harder than Python.)

Python is good for beginners and testing out ideas is very easy. Prog has valid points about languages here but almost everyone who posts is seriously into programming and I mean seriously. They mean well but in practice most of their advice would kill your ambition.

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>>18

Fuck off faggot.

lol /b/ & everything else is down so I'm here now.

Actually, I apologize for my mistakes. I was in a hurry that I failed to put some of what I wanted to say properly.

Scheme is a good language to get into the functional family, but not really to get into programming. I agree with >>17 that Python is a good place to start for the reasons he listed.

As for what >>16 said, it's all true and I don't call them "toys" to dis them. Again, I apologize.

>>17
Scheme's not that complicated, the standard is 55 pages.

Python is dumb and slow as fuck. It really is the new BASIC.
If you want to learn with an imperative language, go with C whih will at least teach you about how the computer actually works.
Avoid Java at all cost.

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>>23
go with C whih will at least teach you about how the computer actually works.
This is what Ctards actually believe.
Can you hand-compile your C code to you´re architecture's assembly?

Do you have an interest in web development?  Learn PHP.

Do you have an interest in developing Linux applications?  Learn C.

Do you have autism?  Learn LISP/Haskell/other bullshit that has no practical application.

>>26
I have autism and I still don't like LISP/Haskell.

>>26
I don't have autism and I like Lisp _{but not Hask^al}

>>28
I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.

>>29
You came from the imageboards, I know already. Back there, now.

>>30
fuck off faggot

>>26

I'm autistic but that doesn't mean I'm gonna learn something shitty and useless. I'll probably learn C just cause it's actually used.

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NIG HEIL BLACK HITLER!!

>>1

Paul Hudson's Coding Academy : http://www.linuxformat.com/codingacademy

>>33
this is the chemo that will cure /prog/

>>35
1.it was posted 2 years ago. It didn't cure anything, its just another shitpost.
2.you're from /b/ (since only /b/-level neanderthals use this 'chemo' concept)
3.to cure /prog/ return to /b/ and stay there.

CoderDojo Teaches Atlanta Kids How To Code : http://www.avatargeneration.com/2013/06/coderdojo-teaches-atlanta-kids-how-to-code

>>37
At least the real spammer is still here.

>>37

hahaha, avatar generation is that about those retarded blue fake wookies in that 3d film? I heard people suicide because of the beauty of those hairless beasts. Must have been furies.

I love PHP, it is a cool language to CODE in. If you want to CODE in PHP. You should buy ZendStudio and use Zend Framework. Because they are the only one, who understand how you want to CODE in PHP.

>>38

Not for forget the real champion troller still existed