What is the best programming language type for a beginner?

I am self-teaching myself programming since my schools program sucks.....All we really learn is some HTML, which I am already quite good at. Not to mention I can't take the class since my AP Biology tkae 2 extra periods a week for labs.

So I was thinking about C++.

What do you think?

If you're a beginner, definately go with Python. I learned Dr. Scheme (not my choice, garbage), then Python and it was fun and easy to grasp.

Heres some assignments and practice programs

Here's the online book

Good Luck

Java is pretty easy to learn, especially if you've played around with Javascript at all while working with HTML. Once you understand computer programming concepts and learn a language or two, learning other languages is a breeze. At that point, it's just a simple matter of becoming familiar with the syntax and capabilities of the language you're working with.JN_Fenrir

I agree, there are many similarities once you get the basics. Java has some good guides online, and places like frys sell cheap books with basic tutorials. Good luck = )

Even though it's MS I'd try C# if your're starting out.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualcsharp/.

Dont start with C or any variant of C. These guys obviously dont know what they are talking about other then that they hear most games are programmed in a variant of C. First year university and high school courses are in Java not Javascricpt so I would learn that or instead Visual Basic.splintercell989

Knowing both C# and Java, and having used both C and C++, I think I'm qualified enough to say that learning either C# or Java is about the same. Syntax is very similar, especially at lower levels. They are both completely object oriented, both run on a virtual machine, and they both have a nice large class library to work with. Dr. Scheme is actually a great way to learn the basics of computer science (I hear the first computer science course at MIT or Caltech is taught in Scheme), but it's a little too...abstract. If you really want to be a programmer, you have to be able to realize that the language you use is somewhat superficial, especially if they are in the same family.

If you're a kid who wants to be a programmer when he grows up (like me!), think about learning php or asp.NET. Web applications are just exploding these days, and you can make a nifty little website for your own personal use. I wanted to write a game, so I learned the basics of Direct3D, which is very easy to use with C#, thanks to the .NET framework and managed DirectX.

However, if you really are just going to be a hobbyist, it's a matter of personal preference. Visual Basic is easy to learn, but it's just sorta, well, basic. At least thats what I thought when I used it, but that was a long while ago.

[QUOTE="splintercell989"]Dont start with C or any variant of C. These guys obviously dont know what they are talking about other then that they hear most games are programmed in a variant of C. First year university and high school courses are in Java not Javascricpt so I would learn that or instead Visual Basic.fourier404

Knowing both C# and Java, and having used both C and C++, I think I'm qualified enough to say that learning either C# or Java is about the same. Syntax is very similar, especially at lower levels. They are both completely object oriented, both run on a virtual machine, and they both have a nice large class library to work with. Dr. Scheme is actually a great way to learn the basics of computer science (I hear the first computer science course at MIT or Caltech is taught in Scheme), but it's a little too...abstract. If you really want to be a programmer, you have to be able to realize that the language you use is somewhat superficial, especially if they are in the same family.

If you're a kid who wants to be a programmer when he grows up (like me!), think about learning php or asp.NET. Web applications are just exploding these days, and you can make a nifty little website for your own personal use. I wanted to write a game, so I learned the basics of Direct3D, which is very easy to use with C#, thanks to the .NET framework and managed DirectX.

However, if you really are just going to be a hobbyist, it's a matter of personal preference. Visual Basic is easy to learn, but it's just sorta, well, basic. At least thats what I thought when I used it, but that was a long while ago.

Visual Studio .Net has added a lot of functionality to VB. ESSENTIALLY (before you flame me, notice I capitalized the word essentially to draw emphasis to it) VB and all flavors of C have the same capabilities, just different syntax. Visual Studio reminds of Unix and the different shells...know what I mean?

I am going to try a bunch.

Sun's SDK is the best for java?

What about C++....What is the best compiler?......MS 2008's beta?

I am was trying Java but I download Java SDK, but something is wrong where the ASCII in Wordpad isn't registering as java and not to mention Command Prompt can't even find java.

I look under C:\java....but it isn't there.

My first programming language was Scheme (a dialect of Lisp), which I learned in the introductory computer science class at Caltech. The language was well-suited to the rather abstract content of that course, but I don't think it's a very good first language (our instructor told us that LISP actually stands for "Lots of Irritatting Stupid Parentheses," or something like that).

I taught myself BASIC, Python, and some C++, and studied some additional C++ and Java in school. C++ is vary widely used, so it's definitely a good language to pick up at some point. I think Java might be a good language to start out with, though, because it helps you to grasp object-oriented programming right from the start. The syntax is a bit strange at first, but no stranger than C++.

I think it really depends on what sort of programming you are interested in, though. As the poster above mentions, if you are interested in web programming, there are a bunch of special languages for that sort of thing.

By the way, if you are looking for some informative computer/programming books, check out the O'Reilly series. They are really good.

Well, you can use separate editors/compilers, but it is probably more handy if you use an IDE (integrated development environment), which allows to edit, compile, and run programs, all in one application.

For C++, I would recommend Dev-C++. For Java, you might try BlueJ. BlueJ is really good for learning Java-- it's what we used in my intro to object-oriented programming course. Both of these IDE's are 100% free for download-- just google them and get the latest version. Note that with BlueJ you may also have to go to the Sun website and get the latest version of Java.

The IME brings compiles....say "hello world" in command prompt ,but command promp dissappears in the blink of an eye.