Programming 101

depends on what you want to do

as a rule of thumb (all in my opinion)...

C/C++ is mostly used for system programming (most of linux, macOS, and windows are written in C) - also a lot of application development is done is C++.......also video games are mostly written in c++

Java is a good language (syntactically a lot like C/C++) which is used mostly for web development (it lacks the volitility of C/C++, meaning that it limits the ability to change the system)

Visual Basic is a handly Application which produces applications.  The reason it is so popular is becuase it is incredibly easy to create a graphical user interface with some mouseclicks instead of code.

designing web pages now days, you have a lot of different choices.  HTML (the code that web pages are written in) now is rarely seen, becuase of the programs we have for web development. for example you can create a web page in visual basic

what is marketable?  i would learn C++, i would also get familiar with the .NET suite

thats a pretty basic start.

~b

if you have a free copy of VB, start there

if you choose to learn c++, you can download a compiler at

http://gcc.gnu.org/

Being a seasoned VB6 developer I hate to say this but...if you are truly learning to program with no prior experience then don't bother with VB6.  It will only teach you bad habits and won't help you that much when learning other more powerful languages.

Since you want to learn a marketable language, I would recommend learning JAVA, C, C++, C# or VB.Net (leaning more towards the .Net family since learning one is a huge step to learning the others)

Before everyone jumps all over me...VB6 can create powerful applications and is a easy to learn!  But with so many other powerful true object oriented languages out there I think it is a waste of time for a beginner to spend time learning the quirks of VB6.

I would only use VB6 to learn how basic programming flow structures such as If..End If, For...Next and While...Wend work.

As bramsquad said, it really depends on what you want to do.  If you are only creating applications for yourself, then VB6 will be just fine.  Free is a great price.  =)

~IM

http://www.tgr.com/weblog/archives/000024.html

If you have VB why not start there???  .Net is now of course the hot topic but VB6 isnt so far away from VB.Net

It is a good way to learn how things work....

After all Languages are all more or les the same...  It is the underlying 'programmers' way of thinking that should be learned.

Hi, I would suggest that you learn c#. I my self was a vb6 dev. I had also cleareed my MCP for that. Then realising the future and the potential of .Net i went for c# rather than vb.net. Believe me its not that tough. One can get  in main stream programming. Very frankly speaking VB 6 programming is not considered a real hard core programming. .Net is there to stay and with C# you can work in internet as well as on cleint server sort of applications.
I have been in the situation like u and  now I am very happy with my choice of C#. So go for it.

Dont be under the illusion that vb6 and vb.net are quite similar. They both are way different(leaving the name). C# also gives you the opportunity to learn XML which in.

Bye --Amrik

yesterday i was doing a lecture in a university about which language students and fresh developers need to get a respected IT job. well i'm gonna tell you that a little from what i told the students and teachers yesterday.

being a developer is a way of living .. if you can code a program in 1 language . you can do it in any other language .. just like driving a car; there's no BMW Driver or Mercedus Driver ... there's DRIVER ;) .. so once you can drive .. you can choose any car to drive ... so it's a crime to be hold hostege to a specific programming language .. so what i recommend to you my friend is to invest in your future and learn the new and cutting edge technology .. Microsoft .net. where you can code to the 85% of the World PCs with a remarkable approach to mobile devices, the programming tools are very easy to use and you can choose any language (c++, vb, c#, Cobol, pascal, j# ... etc) to code in your projects and finally to Differentiate your self ...

you can get vb.net or c#.net or Web Developer Express Edition for free from MIcrosoft.com and SQL Server Express Edition.. they are all free + they are perfect for you to get started ;)

PS: Express editions are still Beta for now .. but nothing to worry about.

take care..

SC

learn c      (A Book on C - ira Pohl)
then c++   ( C++  Primer Plus  - Stephen Prata)
then java  (Java ana object orientated Language - Michael Smith)
then j2ee  (use the Sun Tutorial http://java.sun.com/j2ee/1.4/docs/tutorial/doc/index.html)

there is no other way.

The books listed are the simplest and most concise introductions to the language that you will
find.

The  question contained a word - marketable..
The direction of what is going to be the most marketable, will probably be the .Net and Java direction.

DotNet an Java will be around and changing more during the next 5 years.
VB6 is already starting to die in its "Marketabiltiy" but will still be around for a few more years. It is easy to learn,
but not really object oriented - great for simple prototypes though.

Programming requires learning about data types, conditionals, control structures etc.
C/C++/C#/Java will all have a somewhat similar syntax and learning one of them will help with the others.

Compilers for all of these can be found for free on the internet.

Some would say you should learn C first, yet I would urge learning an object oriented language to start.
You will need to start with Simple "Console" applications to get your feet wet, and then move into GUI programming.
Both .Net and Java have a great deal to offer to a programmer and with a low cost start.

You can probably find some decent introductory programming books in your public library and then you can keep the cost down to your time spent in learning.

I found the Ivar Jacobson books on Java and C++ to be very decent introductions to those languages and object oriented concepts.
Once you have made it through the intro books.
Be sure to read something like Code Complete, and the Pramatic Programmer.

You should learn how to use JUNIT for Java or the NUNIT for the .Net
Then use either ANT or NANT (java and dotnet again).

So first you learn the basics, then learn some concepts,principals, and style - and build an understanding of the need for thorough testing of what you develop - from the start.

Then try to learn a new programming language every few years. You will find that the concepts from one will apply to others, but each language will have its own strengths and weakness.

If you want to get into Systems programming you should learn C/C++ and Assembly language.


Good luck,
 
I have programmed for 25 years and used over 12 different programming languges..