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Re: Training to become a geek - what do you suggest ? [Re: MHbound]
    #9458071 -

MHbound said:
Start with Visual Basic .Net. I just feel like once you learn one that easy you will want to dive deeper, and start using java c/c++ etc. If you start with something difficult people give up too often.


the dude is running slackware there is no port of VB for linux and there never will be
BUT
there about 6 flavors of basic for linux


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There is more joy in heaven over one of us perfected,
  than over ninety-nine naturally evolved angels.

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Re: Training to become a geek - what do you suggest ? [Re: arainbow]
    #9458254 -

Ah...Didn't know he was running it. So, yea if you are programming in the Linux environment FOR the Linux environment basic would be probably the best option...You won't fail..You almost can't fail.

If you choose to learn .Net get something called VirtualBox and boot in to Windows while in Linux...And then run .Net from there. Or you could use WineHQ to run .Net in Linux...I think I'm not sure if it is supported, but for some reason I think it is.


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Re: Training to become a geek - what do you suggest ? [Re: MHbound]
    #9460149 -

BASIC is a horrid option regardless of what you are doing.  It teaches nothing but bad programming habits.  If you are programming FOR linux, then learn C followed by C++.  I would still recommend Python over either of these as a first language to learn.


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Just another spore in the wind.

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Re: Training to become a geek - what do you suggest ? [Re: Seuss]
    #9460164 -

The question of a good programming language for beginners came up recently on Slashdot and I defended QBasic because it has such good graphics control. I still haven't seen a language come close to having the simplicity of QBasic's screen drawing routines which enables animation and games.

Someone responded to my post and mentioned Pygame. Apparently it's a Python module that adds all that kind of stuff. I haven't tried it yet.

I still stand by my statement that the OP hasn't indicated that he specifically wants to learn programming, compared to other "geek arts". I think there's plenty of geekiness to be learnt before programming comes up.


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I know... that just the smallest
                                                part of the world belongs to me
You know... I'm not a blind man
                                                    but truth is the hardest thing to see

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Re: Training to become a geek - what do you suggest ? [Re: zouden]
    #9460209 -

> I still haven't seen a language come close to having the simplicity of QBasic's screen drawing routines

I've not looked at QB in a long time, but I am guessing these drawing routes, et. al. are library support rather than native language elements.  Take a look at LOGO for a language that is based upon screen drawing routines.  You are also assuming (and not necessarily incorrectly) that drawing and graphics are a driving factor for somebody learning to program.  Also, as you said, programming isn't the end all (or starting point) of the "geek arts".


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Just another spore in the wind.

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Re: Training to become a geek - what do you suggest ? [Re: Seuss]
    #9460300 -

True, and my suggestion of QBasic was really aimed at the Slashdot question (teaching programming for kids). Kids like graphics, hence, LOGO and QBasic are good for kids. QBasic is actually better than LOGO because it also has good input routines (allowing games), and, dare I say it, the syntax in Basic is actually better than LOGO's. This is not saying much.

My language of choice is Python, or Pascal (Delphi) if I need a GUI.


--------------------
I know... that just the smallest
                                                part of the world belongs to me
You know... I'm not a blind man
                                                    but truth is the hardest thing to see

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Re: Training to become a geek - what do you suggest ? [Re: Seuss]
    #9460523 -

Quote:
A good discussion of the subject: http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds10-4/firstlang.html

At one time I would have recommended pascal or modula-3.  Today, I would probably recommend python (or perhaps java).  I would avoid c, c++, visual-anything, perl, basic, cobol, fortran, scheme/lisp, assembly, etc...


Thanks for the link and answer. I decided to get more into programming, as a hobby, a few months ago. I followed a java course a few years ago, did a lot of Matlab scripting and did some QBasic when I was a little kid. I decided to start with python now. I like it so far. I do see the advantages of c++ etc, but for quick prototyping and having fun, python seems very good.

Quote:
Someone responded to my post and mentioned Pygame. Apparently it's a Python module that adds all that kind of stuff. I haven't tried it yet.


I tried Pygame to learn programming/python, so I can't compare it to anything. Here is a screenshot of an alpha-alpha version of my first simulation "game" and first program:



You can launch a rocket from a central body, rotate the rocket, change thrust, zoom, pan, change simulation speed, stabilise it, keep it tangential to the velocity vector and crash it. It's just a little project to learn programming, nothing serious, but it's fun.

edit: crash screenshot :laugh::

Edited by Annom (12/19/08 06:26 AM)

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Re: Training to become a geek - what do you suggest ? [Re: Seuss]
    #9460529 -

Seuss said:
BASIC is a horrid option regardless of what you are doing.  It teaches nothing but bad programming habits.  If you are programming FOR linux, then learn C followed by C++.  I would still recommend Python over either of these as a first language to learn.


The reason I say this is because I tried to learn C++ for my first language. I gave up 2 weeks later. If you are truly dedicated then yes there are better languages, but I feel like if people get started with something easy like Basic...And learn how easy it can be with some time, learn the basics of how languages work, and see their first few programs come out working without a whole lot of frustration...Then they are likely to continue on their programming voyage.

After I went back to Basic I was much more excited to learn Java...C...Etc.


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