Learning

[mfqr]

Greetings.

I am trying to learn how to program, namely in C or C++. I was wondering if anyone could point me to the best places to learn.
My apologies if this has been asked over and over.

- mfqr

[Sidoh]

It is probably the most commonly asked question, but there's reason for that.

I always recommend buying a book to learn programming, math or any other thing that falls into the same general category.  I can't remember off hand the book I started learning with, but I'll try to find it.

Books are, in my opinion, the best way to learn because:
  -- They're published.  They've almost certainly been revised and written with care.
  -- They're more thourough than most internet tutorials.
  -- They're always there.  Websites aren't.
  -- They're usually more step-by-step.

[mfqr]

It is probably the most commonly asked question, but there's reason for that.

I always recommend buying a book to learn programming, math or any other thing that falls into the same general category.  I can't remember off hand the book I started learning with, but I'll try to find it.

Books are, in my opinion, the best way to learn because:
  -- They're published.  They've almost certainly been revised and written with care.
  -- They're more thourough than most internet tutorials.
  -- They're always there.  Websites aren't.
  -- They're usually more step-by-step.

what books do you think I should get?

[MyndFyre]

C for Dummies.

Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days

Code Complete

Rapid Development

Now, the last two books I read well after having programmed for a long time.  But, at the same time, I think they taught me more about programming technique and style than I ever could have learned from anywhere else.  They're probably not a good place to start, but they're great resources once you get the hang of it.

[edit]
Personally, I don't like e-books.  I don't like to have to stare at a computer screen to read, as well as operate the computer.  Plus, when I want to reference something in the book, I either have to have my screen at an obtusely high resolution or task switch.  Not convenient.

[Eric]

The Complete C Reference & The Complete C++ Reference.

Stay away from anything with "Learn x in y number of days"

[Joe]

I agree with LoRd (the latter part). I cruised through the first three days in about one day, and then I was lost. =p

As for MyndFyre, I would agree, but I have two screens on JoeMomma (well, thats a high resolution, but eh) so it works fine for me.

[Ryan Marcus]

You should first figure out if you really want to learn C...

If your on a mac, and your goal is cross-platform, look at REALbasic
If your on a PC, and your goal is cross-platform, look at Java.
If your on a mac, and your goal is mac, look at Cocoa.
If your on PC, and your goal is PC, look at (Go ahead and shot me) Visual Basic/.Net or Java. (Java.)



I really don't honestly understand why anybody would write in C, although I am considered a newb-ish programmer.

My summery: C is hard. I like Jello.

[Sidoh]

If your on PC, and your goal is PC, look at (Go ahead and shot me) Visual Basic/.Net or Java. (Java.)

* Sidoh shoots Ryan Marcus.

VisualBasic is like the Spanish of the world.  Everyone knows a little bit of it and it's dirty as hell.  (Sorry for the racial comment -- was making a crude attempt at humor).

Java is... Java.  It's not meant for JUST Windows designing.  If your end-goal is to develop programs on a PC platform, there's no way you should chose Java.

.NET is a decent choice, I'd say.  There's definitely a lot of job opportunity with it right now.

C is a great choice, IMO.

[Ryan Marcus]

If your on PC, and your goal is PC, look at (Go ahead and shot me) Visual Basic/.Net or Java. (Java.)

* Sidoh shoots Ryan Marcus.

VisualBasic is like the Spanish of the world.  Everyone knows a little bit of it and it's dirty as hell.  (Sorry for the racial comment -- was making a crude attempt at humor).

Java is... Java.  It's not meant for Windows designing.  If your end-goal is to develop programs on a PC platform, there's no way you should chose Java.

.NET is a decent choice, I'd say.  There's definitely a lot of job opportunity with it right now.

C is a great choice, IMO.

* Ryan falls over dead

Ya.. ok.. What he said is more likely true, because he knows what he is doing on a peecee and I do not... So.. ya... ;)

Sorry to bug you.

[Sidoh]

It's always better to hear both sides of the argument.  Just because I believe what I say is right, doesn't mean he should too.  I'm just giving my input.  :)

[Ryan Marcus]

Ya, but my input was wrong :-P

Well, anyway, you should take a look at REALbasic.. Really.

[MyndFyre]

Stay away from anything with "Learn x in y number of days"

Generally I'd agree, but the one I posted (one I've used) is pretty damn good.

[Joe]

Reasons to learn C:
Its fast.
Its been arround forever. There can't possibly be anything broken with it. If there was, it would have been fixed in the 40 (correct me if I'm wrong) years its been arround.
Again, its been arround forever. Many people know it, and there's many compilers for it.
Its cross platform.
I have no experience here, but as iago would say, when you learn it, you know everything else. Except BASIC. Screw BASIC. =p

[Blaze]

It is not been 40 years...

[iago]

It is not been 40 years...

I believe that C was written in the early 70's, which would be around 35 years.  Close enough :P

Anyway, if you want to ever be a real programmer, you have to learn C.  It's good to know it.  You should understand how a computer works before you learn Java or any other abstract language. 

Anyway, I suggest picking up The C Programming Language, by Kernigham and Ritchie.  It was the original book on the subject, and was written by the authors.