OK I am interested in learning to create my own apps, would something like C++ be cool or what?

Also, I need to know some reference points, preferably some kind of tutorials or the like to actually teach me. Any suggestions guys?

Actually this question makes not that much sense. C++ is cool for some apps, for others it isn't. What tool you use best depends on what you want to do.

That is why I was asking Mr Wargand. I have no experience whatsoever at programing, whatever language would be best is the one I would learn.

The thing is I know I could do it, prolly quite easily once I learnt. I am a very fast learner and almost always find things easy when I put my mind to it.

My brother does all this shit for a living, and I am just waiting for him to get back to me aswell.

As to what I want to do, dunno exactly, just getting pissed off sitting here doing not a lot really. I need to use my brain nefore it turns to mush LOL

supposing you mean a "windows" application (the one that pops up a window and has e.g. "file-->open.." menus on top), be prepared that it is a difficult task. the first step into programming usually involves creating "command line" applications, e.g. the ugly ones you launch from e.g. a "dos" prompt.


The choice now is if you want to create "stand alone" applications, e.g. an "exe" file which can run without anything else, or ,er.., let's call'em "bytecode" applications which need an "interpreter" to run.

With C++ you can create "stand alone" applications. Pro: (guess what?) they're stand-alone. Someone claims they're faster to execute than the other type. Cons: the language is difficult to master and needs some efforts to debug, because you're allowed e.g. to mess with every single byte of memory (and a wrong instruction of your program could make you bang your head on the wall for hours trying to understand what's wrong with your application).

With e.g. Java you create "bytecode" applications. Pro: easy and fast programming, cause you're not allowed to mess too much with inner representation of data structures (technically: you cant mess with pointers). Cons: they cant run "out of the box", but you need to install a "runtime environment" (which for e.g. java it's roughly 50MB of stuff to download and install before you can launch you application).

I suggest to try and play with both of these to see which one fits you more.

For a start, i suggest the books by Bruce Eckel (free download):

Thinking in C++ Vol.1 and 2
Thinking in Java

have fun!

Nice sig tweye

I've got that tatooed on my arm, always good to see the old crass logo

What I meant was: Noone can tell you what the best language is when it is unknown what you want to program and in what environment. It is as if you asked, what the best means of transportation is and I answer 'the plane'. Would be stupid if you intend only to get over the street to buy a new pack of cigarettes.

Well TBH Wargand, I am more interested in learning something new more than anything else. Apps is just the first thing that popped into my head.

I will prolly try to just get a basic knowledge of a few, see where it goes from there.

Oh and cheers to you too tweye, will give that stuff a read.

A quick and easy way just to try something would be an interpreter language. Python might be good. You can learn about object oriented programming, you can see some results quickly, no compilation times, large pool of available modules.

cool!
my car stereo is playing the discography you found for some weeks now


back OT: re: Python, i'm playing with it these days in spare time and i can say it's pretty cool and you can do really fast programming!

Yeah, I am sorta coming to the conclusion I should get a basic understanding of a few languages and what happens after that.

you might want to try something simple at first before jumping into c++. I think if your brand new, your soon going to realise that such a sloppy and ugly language, although powerful, is going to piss you off.

Java is a great academic language, well documented, and well you should know how much that's used. Syntax is a lot easier that c++, but in many ways is very similar, you just don't need all the bloat as such (you get that in the form of runaway libraries! )

Python is programmed in c++, but has simplified syntax so you get concepts down and done. Bare in mind, even though its ultra simple, its a very powerful net programming language. See BT.

Cheers Spud, this opinion is invaluable to me as I wish to, atleast over time, learn the basics of the different languages.

You, and the others, have given me some brain food to digest for a while before I start.

Python and Java seem to be a decent place to start, might learn the basics to HTML whilest I am at it, tho I have been assured HTML is extremely easy to learn.

html also isn't a programming language mind, its a simple markup language, and as such all you can acheive with it is marking up text and images.

If you want to impress people with reports, books, etc., you also want to take a look at latex markup language. Windows binary is ported to a package called MiTek.

Er, yeah. I am gonna have to re-read that when my mind is straight.

Just curious, this thread hasn't updated since April - how's the programming thing working out if I may ask? I've always wanted to learn a bit myself but I don't think I have the patience to get into anything too heavy - especially if it's self-taught - fairly ambitious undertaking Takyon. So, any luck at all?

Well, I have not started yet. Things have been a bit hectic lately for me, I am waiting for a nice quiet period in my life and then I will have a go.

I have no doubts I can do it, but I work best when I can work fast, so cramming all the way with a few hours a day.

I have pencilled in a time frame in my organiser, in a few weeks, so I will let ya know.

Hopefully if all goes well we'll see 'Learn C++ in 24 Hrs. by TaKYoNtheKoRRuPTeD' or 'C++ for Dummies by TaKYoNtheKoRRuPTeD'?