iv tryed to do some c++ but it seemed quite hard, then a friend told me that it isnt a good language to start with...

can you guys tell me a good language to start with? (i realy mean start)

he also told me to try a program called alice 3d graphics - is this a good one to start with?

Well, it depends on what you're trying to learn. Are you trying to learn a language? Or are you trying to learn how to program?

If you're trying to learn a specific language, start with that language. If you're trying to learn good programming form and how to do structured programming well, I'd suggest something like FORTRAN.

I started with java. Java is nicely structured and there are quite a few built in methods that you can call. You don't have to worry about certain things too much as there are many functions that run in the background (ie garbage collection).

Alot of the people that I school/work with suggest FORTRAN as it is low level. I myself never tried it and I started with java as it also has practical uses. I could be biased though, perhaps FORTRAN has current uses and I don't want to create and prejudices.

I program in FORTRAN for a living.

I stand corrected. I'm not really an avid programmer so I'm kinda slow when it comes to this. I can do medium level java, low level c++, and extremely low level python

This isn't really the place, but what is FORTRAN used for? I suppose I can google it.

Mainly scientific and financial applications. FORTRAN is a great language for number crunching.

illll try it!.



edit: i found a few pages from google seaches and it seems that HTML is a good one to start with. so ill try that.

i tryed to find a info about FORTRAN but it seems that it is mainly for people to do with engineering and i couldnt realy find much else on it..

This post has been edited by chilla: Aug 18 2009, 06:27 AM

chilla, HTML is not programming language it's only markup language for creating structured documents. You'll not learn programm skills with html. You can try Delphi or Visual Basic to start, both of them is not very difficult.

also if you do not have an application that you use for coding yet I suggest something like notepad++. It allows you to select the language you are coding in at the top which will alter the colours so you can keep track of brackets, objects, etc

iv been doing lots of school work lately... i havnt even started lucky i got 2 essays lol

ill try delphi or visual basic

I'm intrigued in FORTRAN. Oddly enough I have a degree in mathematics and am working on my second degree in physics and have never used it. It looks nice to code in, any recommendations on a compiler? I haven't done the Google search yet but recommendations for users are always welcome.

edit: I understand that I should probably create a new topic, but this one also seems like it's a good fit, I'm a fan of indenting to allow for greater readability for loops and nested structures, From what I understand, FORTRAN just ignores these spaces. I'm reading tutorials on FORTRAN 77, but am planning on using FORTRAN 90 (as this appears to be more forgiving ). Am I correct in assuming that my indentations to allow for human readability will have no impacts when it comes time to compile?

This post has been edited by venom: Aug 30 2009, 08:18 PM

Html is a good pre programming primer though. And CSS. You'll probably end up having to dabble in a little javascript too - if Google has their way Javascript could become a game development language and the web browser would be your game platform (google chrome web browser would be)

But, once you get to programming I'd start with PHP actually. It's not as rigidly structured as Fortran, C++, and Java which means you're not being held to strict "clean" coding and certain other "best practices" but often times in the real world people don't have time or money for best practices and just want things done whatever the cost - quick and dirty. Then we get things like Windows.... with lots of bugs.

So check out the w3c school website and also tizag dot com. Tizag has some of the simplest working examples of php and mysql out there. They're not real world examples of code but they'll get you started fast.

PHP is C++ based as are (sort of) Java, Actionscript 3.0 (flash), Python, and more. Perl is like C++ on acid or some kind of magic fairy dust.
But PHP is elegantly simple.

If you want to go the big business route you'd want to start with Vb or ASP .Net - I don't recommend them myself but there's big money to be made down that road. And if you picked up C# later (an M$ mockup of C++ for lack of a better explanation) you can download a free xbox sdk and write games in C# for the xbox. Still have to do 3D modelling though.

But sit tight - flash is more 3D capable every year and Actionscript 3.0 is a great C++ like language. And if browsers start integrating 3D hardware acceleration (which google is pushing for) then Javascript is going to become a 3D gaming capable language in the next few years.

Good luck.

*edit* oh yeah, the important thing to realize with languages is apart from some basic syntax and formatting "most languages" are essentially quite similar they just have different rules and maybe different approaches to solving problems. Certain languages allow for easier solutions to certain problems as well.
There's variable syntax, conditional statements, loops, strings, arrays, and then the languages built in string handling functions, array handling functions, math functions, comparison operators, functions, and most of the time more advanced data types called structures or classes which can consist of functions and variables.

That may sound like a lot but that's the overall concept of the basics of any language out there I've learned (apart from simple markup languages like html, css, and xml)

When you get into the 3D stuff it's just more complicated mathematic techniques and some buffering tricks but that's stuff you never really have to learn since there are free 3D game engines that do that stuff for you. Still, it's great to understand the basics when you get that far so you have a better idea of how to use the engine optimally.

This post has been edited by thechrisrich: Sep 14 2009, 11:27 AM

I think C and C++ are good for beginners because other languages are using concept of this language

I think it goes both ways. If you've got the time and the tenacity to learn c++ or you're learning it in school, great. You'll know the fundamental underlying structure of a dozen other languages that are styled after c++ to varying degrees. But for a hobbyist at home I think you can get a lot further a lot faster with a loosely typed language like PHP. You may not be learning the best practices right away but it's easier to make something work and see the results for yourself whereas in C++ in order to "see" motivating results you have to know how all of the basics first and how to tie into a game engine or rendering engine or take the time to learn opengl. And with PHP you're still learning the general C++ style and will be right at home with a lot of the syntax. (but compiler conventions might throw you for a loop)

Hey all- I just finished up a three year diploma in programming in Canada. Good advice: If you like web programming, start with PHP and work your way into learning Ruby (on Rails)- they are the meat of 99% of the internet today. If you want to make a lot of money, learn Python, PHP, ASP.NET, and shell commands (BASH shell is a powerful language in it's own rite). If you perfer applications development: ASP.NET, Java, FORTRAN, COBOL, and shell scripting.. There's many different ways to go- depending on what your goal is. Most languages are structured the same way.. Just try to avoid learning PHP, Visual Basic, or COBOL first, because they'll get you into painful modes of thinking that will hinder your progress as you become a better programmer. Any object-oriented language will probably start you in the right place- and I'd suggest learning Ruby and Rails ASAP because they're getting some serious community behind them (and are significantly more powerful than PHP). and.. everything is an object. So there you go! BTW Java is getting serious competition from offshore companies, so don't even bother to learn it.. Unless you like receiving welfare cheques, and not programming... FORTRAN and COBOL will always be in demand as experienced developers start retiring, legacy systems still need to be maintained. Try not to lose your marbles as you contemplate procedural routines all day.. BEST OF LUCK! Programming is the best job in the world.