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learning programming

  • June 5, 2015
  • 5 replies
  • 40 views

Hi webroot community,
For a computer novice who wants to learn programming, which language is it advisable to start with. I want to buy a book and learn but there are so many of them I'm confused. Btw, is the "basic" language still useful or has it been superseded?
Thanks

5 replies

JamesG
  • Retired Webrooter
  • June 8, 2015
Hello @,
 
Welcome to the Webroot Community!
 
It's difficult to say without knowing what it is you want to achieve.

I would advise starting with something like a scripting language such as python, because it is fairly easy to learn instead of jumping right into a programming language.

Also, there are alot of really good free websites that you can teach you this as well.
 
You can learn quite a bit with codeacademy and I've personally used that for quite some time.

I hope this helps.
 
Best Regards,

nic
Forum|alt.badge.img+56
  • Retired Webrooter
  • June 8, 2015
Khan Academy has some nice stuff too:
https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/hour-of-code/hour-of-code-tutorial/v/anybody-can-learn-code
and I second codeadacademy.

JamesG
  • Retired Webrooter
  • June 8, 2015
I really don't know how I could forget about khan academy!

Definitely recommend that as well!

  • Author
  • New Voice
  • June 8, 2015
Thanks JamesG and Nick for your advice and suggestion to check out the Khan academy. In wanting to learn programming I don't have a specific purpose in mind; I just want to increase my knowledge in computing,  in a general sense. I thought there might be a natural progression of learning that students typically undertake. 

JamesG
  • Retired Webrooter
  • June 8, 2015
I'm sure there is from an academic standpoint.
 
Everything I know was self-taught or learned through trial and error. Fortunately I got started in C and C+ at an early age.

I would really say to check out both of those sites, but start with something like Python, it's not a programming language, but is widely used, easy to debug, and will provide you with a good base to build on.
 
You are very welcome and you can always ask if you have any questions.
 
Both of those sites are very well made though.