Computer Programming Question

This is a bit random, but I wanted to learn something about computer programming but I'm not sure where to start. I'm not looking to get into it as a job, mostly as a hobby to learn like someone would learn a second language.

Mostly I want to learn about how a GUI works and how to make changes. I have 3 monitors hooked up and a lot of files and information and I want to learn about how you can customize that. I'm also starting to learn about Wiki as an information database and want to explore that for everyday file management. Basically, I want to learn how to manipulate the interface.

Does that make sense to anyone? heh Sorry to be so vague but I have a lot to learn. Any tips on where to start? An online course perhaps? A book?

Thanks!

 

Try Visual Basic.

 

Yeah, if you're wanting to go with GUIs, Visual Basic is definitely the best thing I've programmed with for that. Java just plain sucks for GUIs from my experience.

 

I'd actually say go with C#. Its got the easy style of Visual Basic when it comes to the GUIs, but kinda orientates you for learning some more difficult stuff later (if you want to).

But yeah, Visual Basic and C# are both good ones for GUI stuff, especially since Microsoft offers the "Express Edition" visual Studio for both languages for free

 

Another option (which is the one i started with and is not so much complicated) is Delphi and Object Pascal. C# may be a bit intriguing at first if you dont get the right view on it imo

 

Visual Basic is a really good starting point if you have no programming background at all. The only problem with it is some people have problems transitioning from the event-driven style of VB to other programming languages like C++/C#/Java. That doesn't mean that you can't go from one to the other, but it may require un-learning a few things. Of course, if you really do only want to see how GUI's and forms work, then you may never have this problem.

I never found Java to be too bad to setup a GUI with, especially if you use an IDE like NetBeans. Some of the controls can be tedious to work with though.

 

While standard pascal is lovely to start on, I really despise Object Pascal - everything in it just seems awkward. I'd go with C#, as I also don't rate VB

 

VB is horrible. If you are really determined and dont mind a bit of hard work learn C++ and dont even go near VB. Jusy my 2 cents.

 

Yeah, I would recommend C/C++ instead of VB or C#.

 

I wouldn't go with Visual Basic, I have to do it for my college course but i do not like it and would not suggest it at all

 

VB is best for your absoulte beginner, its by far the easiest to set up a quick gui, however if indeed you want to further continue, go with either c or c++, c/c++ isnt as bad to learn as they say it is

if you need some tutorials
www.cprogramming.com has plently


Ryan

 

try doing GUI in assembly, pure fun ! (if you like self-inflicted pain and that sort of thing )

 

I would have recommended C++ too, except for the fact that he wants to do GUI's and has no programming experience. Using Visual C++ to layout a GUI is just as easy to use as VB. However, getting that GUI to do anything is a pain since you need to deal with code techniques that can be overly daunting to a beginner.

 

You will be limiting yourself w/ VB. A programming language by Microsoft? Blech. But, yes, it is easy compared to C++. Java is probably more widespread than C++ despite the fact that it's a gigantic piece of shit due to it's portability. (Still so slow after all these years).

The benefits of C++ are that you can do low-level tinkering and whatnot, it's widely used, and of course, you can use it on many systems. It's kind of a bitch to learn though.

I would also recommend PERL. It's what I started with. It has no GUI support at all, but if you're wanting to do file handling, copying, searching, tinkering and whatnot, it has no match. Just no GUI either.

 

After 7 years of using Visual Basic, I can say it's pretty easy to get a grip on, and there are plenty of tutorials for it.

I know C/C++ is technically a superior language, but it all depends on how serious about programming you are, and what, if any experience you already have. C++ is good for speed-critical applications, but has more hurdles in the learning process.

Java is a pretty good language for learning how to program, but other than that, forget it. I'm coding a 3d engine in Java, and it's butt-slow - and once you get used to C pointers, you can never go back.

 

VB is nice since its super easy to create some useful programs, and is extremely easy to learn by using a book without anything else to guide you. It really depends on how far you want to take programming though, and the goals of what you want to do

 

If u do decide to go with C (or C++, since it's more useful nowadays), i d say go with Borland, not MS

 

"VB is nice since its super easy to create some useful programs, and is extremely easy to learn by using a book without anything else to guide you."

Bingo...that's what I wanted to hear....heh. I want to test the waters and just learn what the experience is like doing that kind of work with computers. Mostly I want to learn about how information and interface work together. After I learn more conceptually I'll be able to really pick a language to study.

So I'll start with VB. Next step...I'm assuming there are different versions available?

 

VB is great if you want a slow app thats limited.

Personaly if you want to do GUI and dab a bit into C coding. Go C#. Its very powerful and friendly with writing windows gui apps.

For pure coding fun, C++ is the way to be.

 

anyone here remember C+?