Where to start?

Lee_B · 02-07-02, 02:42 PM

Excuse me if this question seems a bit vague.

I have been messing about with computers for a few years and I am quite happy using Office etc and installing hardware. However, I have absolutely no knowledge of programming at all (apart from BASIC programs on a Sinclair Spectrum about 15 years ago).
I would really like to start working with computers (games programming, web design etc.) but I don't know where to start. I would really appreciate some advice on what would be the best way to acheive this. Anyone in the UK who could recommend courses etc. would also be great.

Thanks in advance

Lee

Cypher720 · 02-07-02, 02:46 PM

web programming: start with HTML, then JAVA, Flash, etc....

Computer programming: visual Basic (pointless but a start), and C++

engjohn · 02-08-02, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypher720

Computer programming: visual Basic (pointless but a start)

Pointless??? I do not get it... Pointless maybe for game programming....

Take a look on Dice.com someday a do a search for VB programmers....

Lee_B · 02-08-02, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. Now the difficult part. What do I need in terms of software, books, etc. and how much will it cost?

Thanks again

Lee

David · 02-08-02, 09:50 AM

There are many free C and C++ compilers, and Java SDK can be downloaded.

Guid0 · 02-08-02, 04:37 PM

If you go to school then it's possible that you have free access to Microsoft visual C++ amongst other MS software if not, alot books come with crappy compiler but it will get you started.

Heck if you got a spare box even a 70mhz install linux FREE and it comes with a great knock off of Visual C++ called Kdevelop........it's a kde app.........Linux come with c and C++ compilers built in

David · 02-09-02, 08:38 AM

I use Anjuta in Linux - its a GNOME based proggie for C and C++.

Visidex · 02-09-02, 10:55 PM

Aren't Anjuta and kdevelop just IDEs for gcc?

If you understand the programming concepts, ie. if statements, loops, etc. then I'd say you should start with C/C++.

There's a number of free compilers that are out there for Windows. They should be good enough for you to start out with, but once you get into more advanced stuff you should pick up a copy of Visual C++, Borland C++ Builder, or Metrowerks CodeWarrior. Of course if you don't mind switching OS's, most non-windows platforms come with free compilers that are quite good.

Krieger · 02-19-02, 08:39 AM

Vb has intergration with Directx and OpenGL API's these days(well 6.0 does) and it's as robust as C++ in most cases... I've build some amzing apps using it.

02-07-02, 02:42 PM	Thread Starter #1
Lee_B Registered Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Newcastle, UK	Where to start? Excuse me if this question seems a bit vague. I have been messing about with computers for a few years and I am quite happy using Office etc and installing hardware. However, I have absolutely no knowledge of programming at all (apart from BASIC programs on a Sinclair Spectrum about 15 years ago). I would really like to start working with computers (games programming, web design etc.) but I don't know where to start. I would really appreciate some advice on what would be the best way to acheive this. Anyone in the UK who could recommend courses etc. would also be great. Thanks in advance Lee
	QUOTE Thanks

02-07-02, 02:46 PM	#2
Cypher720 Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	web programming: start with HTML, then JAVA, Flash, etc.... Computer programming: visual Basic (pointless but a start), and C++
	QUOTE Thanks

02-08-02, 08:32 AM	Thread Starter #4
Lee_B Registered Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Newcastle, UK	Thanks for the replies guys. Now the difficult part. What do I need in terms of software, books, etc. and how much will it cost? Thanks again Lee
	QUOTE Thanks

02-08-02, 09:50 AM	#5
David Forums Super Moderator Overclockers.com Lead Editor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Hiding from Americans and making pretty colours in a drybox in St Andrews	There are many free C and C++ compilers, and Java SDK can be downloaded. __________________ David J. Nelson MChem(Edin) PhD(Strath) AMRSC [Academia Profile] OC Forums Super Moderator // Overclockers.com Editor The Workhorse: [Lenovo W510] Intel Core i7-720QM / 8 GB DDR3 / nVidia Quadro FX880M / Crucial M4 256 GB SSD / Windows 7 The HTPC/Server: AMD Phenom X4 9650 / 6 GB DDR2 / nVidia 8300 / 5 TB of HDDs / Antec Solo II Case / Windows 7 The Gaming Rig: AMD Llano A6-3650 / 4 GB DDR3 / nVidia GTX260 / 2x 500 GB HDD in RAID0 / Antec Dark Fleet DF-85 Case / Windows 7 The Benchmarking Setup: Various LGA775 chips / Asus Rampage Formula / 2 GB OCZ 1066 MHz DDR2 / nVidia Quadro NVS 285 / 320 GB HDD / Windows 7 My research fellowship is eating all my time, so I may be slow to reply to emails and private messages.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-08-02, 04:37 PM	#6
Guid0 Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kansas, USA	If you go to school then it's possible that you have free access to Microsoft visual C++ amongst other MS software if not, alot books come with crappy compiler but it will get you started. Heck if you got a spare box even a 70mhz install linux FREE and it comes with a great knock off of Visual C++ called Kdevelop........it's a kde app.........Linux come with c and C++ compilers built in
	QUOTE Thanks

Where to start?

Internet Services

Website Development

Tech Hardware

02-09-02, 08:38 AM	#7
David Forums Super Moderator Overclockers.com Lead Editor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Hiding from Americans and making pretty colours in a drybox in St Andrews	I use Anjuta in Linux - its a GNOME based proggie for C and C++. __________________ David J. Nelson MChem(Edin) PhD(Strath) AMRSC [Academia Profile] OC Forums Super Moderator // Overclockers.com Editor The Workhorse: [Lenovo W510] Intel Core i7-720QM / 8 GB DDR3 / nVidia Quadro FX880M / Crucial M4 256 GB SSD / Windows 7 The HTPC/Server: AMD Phenom X4 9650 / 6 GB DDR2 / nVidia 8300 / 5 TB of HDDs / Antec Solo II Case / Windows 7 The Gaming Rig: AMD Llano A6-3650 / 4 GB DDR3 / nVidia GTX260 / 2x 500 GB HDD in RAID0 / Antec Dark Fleet DF-85 Case / Windows 7 The Benchmarking Setup: Various LGA775 chips / Asus Rampage Formula / 2 GB OCZ 1066 MHz DDR2 / nVidia Quadro NVS 285 / 320 GB HDD / Windows 7 My research fellowship is eating all my time, so I may be slow to reply to emails and private messages.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-09-02, 10:55 PM	#8
Visidex Member Join Date: Jan 2002	Aren't Anjuta and kdevelop just IDEs for gcc? If you understand the programming concepts, ie. if statements, loops, etc. then I'd say you should start with C/C++. There's a number of free compilers that are out there for Windows. They should be good enough for you to start out with, but once you get into more advanced stuff you should pick up a copy of Visual C++, Borland C++ Builder, or Metrowerks CodeWarrior. Of course if you don't mind switching OS's, most non-windows platforms come with free compilers that are quite good.
	QUOTE Thanks

02-19-02, 08:39 AM	#9
Krieger Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North of Boston, MA	Vb has intergration with Directx and OpenGL API's these days(well 6.0 does) and it's as robust as C++ in most cases... I've build some amzing apps using it.
	QUOTE Thanks

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search