EH-Net

any advise for a new aspiring programmer, will help a lot... thanks in advance........i really admires programmers...

I started out learning Python, which is a simple, high-level sctipting language. Although it's high level, it is powerfull with a lot of included libraries for internet, mail, numerical methods etc.

It lets you get into the basic concepts about loops, tests and datatypes very easy.

The only problem is that it's a very forgiving language, which means that to embark more "strict" languages (like C or even Java) afterwards might be a bit of a challenge. However, I don't think you can go wrong with Python as your introduction to programming.

thanks for the advice.. do you really think it is okay for to start programming using python???

I did, and I don't regret it.

g5th,

Really depends on what you want, C, Perl, Python, Assembly, etc. The biggest thing is, once you start learning languages don't stop programming. Make it a point to write 1 program / script a day.

Langs I've used in the past / had to learn.
Cobal, C, Shell Scripting, SQL, PL/SQL, Perl, and WebFOCUS / FOCUS. Out of those languages the only two I still touch are Shell Scripting and Perl, and neither one is as good as they were 10 years ago (went through a stent where I didn't write scripts at all and forgot a lot).

sir, can post some link for tutorials,,tnx..

For Python:
http://diveintopython.org/

or Python3:
http://diveintopython3.org/

thank you sir, very much!! need more advice..

sir i have a vb? i forget it already,, can vb help as a newbie programmer? i had install already...

From my experience VB will help a newbie programmer pull their hair out and be grateful when they graduate to a different language.

Being more serious; VB can provide a platform for learning coding basics, conditional and loop constructs etc. but I'd I'd highly recommend you take Chris' suggest of Python and start there. It's no harder to grasp the basics than VB and will provide you more lasting benefit going forward.

I still use VB quite a bit, especially on .NET.   It is a bit of a limiting language, but if you are working in a framework, than it's quite bearable.  It's major advantage is that it's very easy, and like the others said, it's a good stepping stone to other languages.   One of the biggest issues with it is that it obscures too much from the programmer.  You become too complacent and that can lead to poor coding practices. 

I'll have to keep this thread in my mind when I start looking into programming.

I believe that the first language matters a lot. I started with C and I think that it has very much helped me in understanding other languages . I'll quote Bryan Woods (http://writing.bryanwoods4e.com/1-poor-poor-child) here:

I don't know how someone who has started with Perl or Python adjusted to the concept of numerous datatypes and pointers in C. But these concepts surely helped me in understanding Perl scalars, arrays and hashes. That's the reason I always recommend C to novice programmers. It's one of the most complete languages and is small enough to be learned easily. Learning pointers, though a PITA, once you get the concepts it's pure joy.

Anyway, no matter which language you start with, it's always better to follow it up with a course in data structures and algorithms. Learning syntax is not enough, you've to know how to store data using proper structures (data structures) and  solve common algorithmic problems.

On the practice side, once you think you've complete understood all the three concepts (programming language + data structures + algorithms), you can use the various college course pages and try to do their programming projects. It not only helps you on the programming side but also builds your knowledge of other courses (Operating systems, Internet, compiler design etc..). Of course you won't get any grades  ;D

Here are some of my bookmarks:
http://www.scs.stanford.edu/09wi-cs140/labs/project.html
http://web.cs.mun.ca/~rod/Winter98/cs4759/project2.html
http://kosbie.net/cmu/spring-10/15-110/
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~410/projects.html
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~412/projects.html
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~adamchik/15-121/index.html
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~srini/15-441/F01.full/www/assignments/P2/htmlproj2_single/

That might explain why I hate programming. My FIRST language was BASIC. Not VB, BASIC. As in 10 print.

:)

thanks guys.... it helps alot,, i have c++ compiler also, actually last year, i already have this compiler, but i did not get good tutorials for this, so i didnt continue.....

If you want to go the C route, get linux (gcc complier) or BSD, or some other free nix with a built in C complier. Then go to the Library, and look for a book on C. I know state side, I've always been able to find at least one book on C.

You could also hit up Google Books.... or https://code.google.com/edu/ (no C, but C++).