On getting started - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Prince · 07-25-2006, 06:46 AM

I used to dabble a lot with BASIC, then Pascal. But it's been years and I'd really like to get into programming again, learning perhaps a new language from scratch. I am not particularly interested in Java or the sort, mostly in something like Delphi or C...

I'd like opinions on what would be a useful language to learn, and on how hard it would be to learn. If you also have suggestions for a good book to pick up and/or a RAD app to choose, I'd be happy as a clam.

Thanks.

ratbastid · 07-25-2006, 08:49 AM

It all depends on what sort of programs you want to create. Desktop apps? For Windows? Web applications?

IMO the best RAD language out there is Perl, though it's slightly out of favor these days, now that PHP pretty much owns the web.

Prince · 07-25-2006, 09:10 AM

Desktop/console apps for Windows, mainly.

trache · 07-25-2006, 11:05 AM

I would tell you to use Delphi, but it seems like you're already there!

/Delphi fan until death!

KnifeMissile · 07-26-2006, 12:23 AM

This may sound zany but, for pragmatic reasons, I would suggest Ruby or Python. They are both powerful programming languages in both semantics (what you can do programmatically) and libraries (what you can do pragmatically). They are both available for free as are all the libraries needed to do whatever you like. They are also interpreted languages, so you won't need to compile code or have to deal with link and make files (the part of programming that's not fun). Finally, there's plenty of support for both languages, on the web, web forums, mailing lists, and (my favourite) usenet...

Ruby is more consistent than Python, so it may be easier to learn. Then again, it has stranger semantics than Python, which is somewhat C based. It might depend on how abstract your thinking is or your level of programming experience. Funnily enough, if you don't have a lot of experienced, you might not be bothered by it's unique sementics but if you have only a little experience, you might find it confusing. Then again, if you have a lot of experience, then you will go back to not being bothered by it because you'll be so well versed in the fundamental ideas rather than the superficial syntax...

Personally, I prefer Ruby so I guess I'll recommend that!

07-25-2006, 06:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	On getting started I used to dabble a lot with BASIC, then Pascal. But it's been years and I'd really like to get into programming again, learning perhaps a new language from scratch. I am not particularly interested in Java or the sort, mostly in something like Delphi or C... I'd like opinions on what would be a useful language to learn, and on how hard it would be to learn. If you also have suggestions for a good book to pick up and/or a RAD app to choose, I'd be happy as a clam. Thanks. __________________ Who is John Galt?

07-25-2006, 09:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	Desktop/console apps for Windows, mainly. __________________ Who is John Galt?

07-25-2006, 11:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
trache Insane	I would tell you to use Delphi, but it seems like you're already there! /Delphi fan until death! __________________ "You looked at me as if I was eating runny eggs in slow motion." - Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip

07-25-2006, 08:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	It all depends on what sort of programs you want to create. Desktop apps? For Windows? Web applications? IMO the best RAD language out there is Perl, though it's slightly out of favor these days, now that PHP pretty much owns the web.

07-26-2006, 12:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
KnifeMissile Location: Waterloo, Ontario	This may sound zany but, for pragmatic reasons, I would suggest Ruby or Python. They are both powerful programming languages in both semantics (what you can do programmatically) and libraries (what you can do pragmatically). They are both available for free as are all the libraries needed to do whatever you like. They are also interpreted languages, so you won't need to compile code or have to deal with link and make files (the part of programming that's not fun). Finally, there's plenty of support for both languages, on the web, web forums, mailing lists, and (my favourite) usenet... Ruby is more consistent than Python, so it may be easier to learn. Then again, it has stranger semantics than Python, which is somewhat C based. It might depend on how abstract your thinking is or your level of programming experience. Funnily enough, if you don't have a lot of experienced, you might not be bothered by it's unique sementics but if you have only a little experience, you might find it confusing. Then again, if you have a lot of experience, then you will go back to not being bothered by it because you'll be so well versed in the fundamental ideas rather than the superficial syntax... Personally, I prefer Ruby so I guess I'll recommend that!