Re: [Dev-C++] (no subject)

[Jason H. <jas...@bt...>]

Hi,

When learning to program I wouldn't recommend C or C++ as your first =
stop, as these languages are designed with flexibility and breadth of =
scope in mind, and it's easy to get yourself in trouble. I think it's a =
general consensus, when learning languages, to start with ones that =
enforce a structure upon your programming in the hope that when you move =
to a more relaxed language you carry the good design ideals over.

Another thing that will affect your choice is whether you want to learn =
structured programming or object oriented programming (and possibly any =
other approaches?), and the design philosophies behind them. I have =
found that learning one style doesn't necessarily make it easier to =
learn the other, as they both approach the design and structure of a =
program from a different standpoint, i.e. function centric versus data =
centric (excuse me if I'm using the wrong language to express myself).

I think most people start with a structured language, such as Pascal, =
and move on to something like C, and then optionally learn object =
oriented programming (OOP), with Java or (maybe Smalltalk or another?) =
and move onto C++. I couldn't say what approach is best as it's =
different for everyone.

Once you have made your choice pick up any introductory text on that =
language from your local library and try to pick up the ideas expressed =
within it. I find that when approaching a new language that it's best to =
start with the very basic books that can go into great detail about the =
little stuff, and then work my way up the scale of books, i.e. basic, =
intermediary, experienced, and expert (if you're brave), trying to pick =
up some new insight from each. There are web-sites that contain reviews =
of how good various books are, although you can't go too far wrong with =
most beginner books. If you find in reading a book that it is boring you =
with details that you understand already then either start skimming or =
pick up a slightly more advanced book, however if you find that after =
rereading a paragraph a couple of times you still don't understand what =
is being said then you should try and find a different book that is =
either more basic or uses different wording that may suit you better.

Once you have gained a good understanding of a design pattern then you =
may find that you can skip the easy stuff when learning a new language, =
as the concepts usually cross over from one language to another. It then =
becomes the task of picking up a different syntax more than anything =
else, and then learning what the language makes possible for you from a =
starting point. Most (if not all) languages have standard components (a =
platform) on which all programs you write can be based.

You could say that the essence of programming at it's most basic is to =
be able to look at a task and break it down into a kind of recipe, an =
algorithm, where you specify in detail a sequence of actions that =
describe that task. You need to be able to both, identify the individual =
actions in the task, and the order in which they should occur. Try =
thinking this way about mundane everyday things to learn the frame of =
though. There is more to programming than that, but I find that in the =
end quite often that is what I am doing, although it's usually with more =
abstract tasks like converting one piece of data into another.

I would give an example, but I'm lazy. You could argue that laziness can =
be a good thing in a programmer, but it would take too much time, so I =
won't. ;-D

You will probably find that most books will teach you programming for =
console (text-only) based applications. You will find that learning to =
use a programming language within a specific environment, such as =
Windows, is a different journey altogether, but start at the beginning =
and work your way up and you'll get there in the end.

I hope my little discourse is useful, and that I haven't offended too =
many people with sweeping inaccurate statements.

Looking back, what I have said is probably just the tip of the iceberg. =
I keep on wanting to add another idea or insight to a paragraph, but =
I'll end up writing a book on learning to learn programming if I do =
that!

Jason.

PS: If there's anything I was unclear on that you wish to know more =
about then just e-mail the group and I'm sure that I or someone else =
will fill you in.
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Nicole Mark=20
  To: dev...@li...=20
  Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2002 12:01 AM
  Subject: [Dev-C++] (no subject)


  Pre-high schooler needs information on how to start learning =
programming

  Thanks





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