how do learn programming?

Question

i am 15 years old so i don't want hard things

Answer 1

Your first step should be to get a good book that teaches you the fundamentals. A good book to start is:

http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCS/

This book is so well because it does not waste time teaching you a specific language or libraries but concentrates you on how to program.

I strongly recommend the python version here. Even if you later decide to write all your programs in some (currently) main stream language like Java, C# or C++, the fastest way to become a professional in these languages is to do the first steps with a more abstract language like python or ruby.

This is because these languages do not get in your way while you are doing your first steps and try to understand the fundamental idea behind all modern software development: hiding complexity through abstractions.


Then you need to learn object oriented programming. A good book here is this book about Java:

"Thinking in Java"
http://mindview.net/Books/TIJ4

and you need to know about low level programming. Here, I recommend this book:

"The C Programming Language"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0131103628

And then, to become a really good hacker, you will have to read this one:

"Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs"
http://www.amazon.com/Structure-Interpretation-Computer-Programs-Engineering/dp/0262011530

there is a free online version here:

http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/

IMPORTANT: Beside all the reading, you have to constanly read other programs and write your own code. These three things are pretty much equally important to make fast progress: reading books, writing code and understanding other peoples code.

As an somewhat alternative route, Peter Norvig, one of the greatest thinkers of our time, has set up a document a while ago that teaches a good way to become a good programmer:

"How to become a programmer in 10 years"
http://www.norvig.com/21-days.html

Answer 2

Buying 1 or more books is probably the way to go. There are some books geared to a certain compiler, like "Learn Microsoft Visual C++ in 900000 days." If you buy a book that covers a certain compiler, it makes things easier because you don't have to worry about not knowing how to set up your compiler's options.
Tutorials that you may find on the Internet may not be written for whatever compiler you pick up.

I don't know which programming language you'd like to start with though. If you like web stuff, then you can learn something like Java, and Flash.
If you want to program for Windows, there's stuff like C++ and Visual Basic.
I know that Microsoft's web site has a scaled down Visual C++ 2005 compiler available for free, but I think they also have C# and Visual Basic as well.

Answer 3

You need to first get a programming language you can write in. Many people start learning Visual Basic or Java.

Find sites where programmers share code. For example, I use www.codeproject.com. Read the articles there and you will learn a tremendous amount. If you have a C#, C++ compiler, you might try implementing the ideas from the articles there.

Answer 4

Don't do programming if you don't want hard things - I started programming 20 years ago & I have been studying ever since. I now design integration solutions for Service Oriented Architectures (SOA's), which is much more lucrative. But I am still studying.

Answer 5

If you want to teach yourself you need to be motivated to do something - what are you motivated to do then find a way of doing it. e.g. write a web based computer game learn flash, a pc based game learn C++ (or dark basic). Learn to write Windows utilities and applications learn Visual Basic. Cross platform stuff learn Java

Answer 6

You have to give time to it. Start by deciding what language you want to study (java, vb, php and many more). Then buy books about it. Pick those for beginner. Read it and practice the code in it. It will also help if you read other people's codes. Search for code online and compare with your codes.
For free VB source codes, visit http://smartcoder.awardspace.com


KaBalweg
http://smartcoder.awardspace.com

Answer 7

You read books and you attend some form of computer science course.

If you don't like 'hard things' then avoid computer programming!

Answer 8

Don't buy anything.
Download dev c++ for windows from
http://www.blood.net

Then send me your email. I will teach you C by e-mail.