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What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by idlatest(m): 11:35am On Dec 31, 2013 |
Decide your goal. Learning a programming language can be both quite interesting and challenging if you know what you have to accomplish. Even university graduates study a language for years but they might not be able to figure out their specialty. So first decide what you want to become, for example a programmer, a game developer or a robotics expert. Choose a programming language. Always start to learn from a core language. When you first begin to learn, choose mid-level language like C and afterwards C++. Learning these two is a must for any competent and complete programmer, as these are industry standards. Don't start off learning high level languages such as Java or something else as they can prove to be very confusing for a beginner. (You can always learn other languages later, of course, but you'll want to have C and C++, at a minimum, under your belt.). Since C/C++ could look too hard to true beginner, you may prefer Python also. It is widely considered as a good language for beginners. Study a language for at least one year. Learn the common programming paradigms, especially procedural and object- oriented. Read a lot and practice with a compiler or IDE (there are many free ones online). Once you've mastered a language, do not rush to implement. Instead buy some good books on data structure and learn the key subjects like searching, sorting, binary tree and linked list creation etc. Whether it is about game or software development, data structure is the protege. Later, you may move on to a high level language such as Java[1]. For serious programming learn computer algorithms like divide and conquer, greedy method, backtracking, etc. for another year at least. Fall in love with mathematics. For various reasons, many avoid mathematics or just hate them. But to become a good programmer you must solve and exercise a good number of problems on a daily basis, say one problem for one day. As you can see, it is easy to say but difficult to do. It is not important how much knowledge you have in a language but its relevance to a particular problem. Most problems are related to mathematical series (Fibonacci, Floyd triangle, Fourier Series etc). Not only that, there are many mathematical equations that can save a lot of time. So, start to learn new equations and their aspects. Learn discrete mathematics and calculus. Without mathematics, coding is like grassing the cattle. Be self-motivated. Remember, Rome was not built in a day. So don't rush to learn all in a day. Learning programming is not so easy because it employs logic frequently. So, try to understand the logic and practice it, practice until you memorize it. If you are only trying to memorize, you will miss the fun and the concept will be left unclear to you. So, stretch yourself to the limit, but don't try to run before you can walk. Take your time. Even the most accomplished programmers fail to solve a simple problem on certain occasions. So, try to relax when solving a particular problem. Take notes, find a proper algorithm or prepare your own. This is why you must learn data structure and study mathematics. It takes many hours of practicing problem- solving skills on different types of problems before you can call yourself an expert. Sites like Project Euler or Codecademy[2] have many small programming assignments and tutorials that will help you practice and hone your skills. Never back down. Programming can be very frustrating and annoying too if you act carelessly but once you solve a problem all frustration will disappear. Do a lot of calculus (Fourier, Vector, Boundary Problem, Linear Algebra, Matrix). When working on a particularly intricate problem, take periodic breaks to let your brain relax and relegate the problem to your subconscious mind. Make a good schedule for working. When you feel bored, take a nap or walk but never give up, never back down. Become a master. Try to teach others and show your developed applications to others. If you know someone who is better than you, share your thoughts and problems with them, share experience as it will enrich your arsenal. Try to develop your own application imitating professional software like text editor, windows application. Take part in competitions to push yourself to the limit if you dare. Knowing one programming language is good, but mastering more is better, as you'll not only have more tools in your toolbox, but expose yourself to other ways of solving problems, because Regardless of what language you use most often, having knowledge of others to draw on will make you a better programmer and better able to understand common constructs and problems in the abstract. So learn several programming languages, especially two or three with different design philosophies, such as Lisp, Java, and Perl. But learn each of them properly. Be a bookworm. Most well versed programmers are good readers too. They think before they even type a line of code. So, read a lot and think. Recheck your works once a week. (Document your code well, in order to make said rechecking easier.) Further, invest some money in good books. Try to buy the best (not necessarily the best selling) resources. Never slavishly follow a single resource as it will make your outlook narrower. So once you master something, research on it for more use and variations. Invest in Training Centers. If you are not satisfied with your teach- yourself technique, enroll yourself into some beginner's course. But before the enrollment, always research on the previous graduates. Have a lot of practice. Solve hundreds of programming problems. It would be the best if you can invent a lot of them yourself. However, if you can't, several web-sites could be useful: TopCoder - popular US competitive programming website - it can really boost your algorithm knowledge. Codeforces - other competitive programming website - contests here are held bit more often than at TopCoder. Project Euler - great web-site with math-related programming problems. CodeAbbey - problems targeted to real newcomers in programming, simpler then at the resources above. 3 Likes |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Chrylich(m): 3:52pm On Dec 31, 2013 |
mehnnn, learn one programming language for 365days?! .. when person wan learn everything finish na |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Nobody: 6:03pm On Dec 31, 2013 |
thanks |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Pythonian99: 6:58am On Jan 01, 2014 |
I'd rather learn a language and be a Master in it than choose to learn 5 or 10 and remain an average joe in all!!! 2 Likes |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by GoodBoi1(m): 8:38am On Jan 01, 2014 |
He is not saying you should learn all 5 at once, may be once a year. BTW experience in low level languages makes learning higher ones easier, for example if you know C and deep knowledge C++ and you have used it for like a year, with adequate power supply you can learn core Java (without server side techs) in less than a month p |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by mexzony: 12:30pm On Jan 01, 2014 |
i disagree about learning a low level language first as for a beginner who has never programmed before learning C or C++ will only make him or her hate programming and become a frustrated figure. i would suggest learning Python or C# as these two are easy to learn and very beginner friendly for a complete novice. These two languages if studied well enough can easily be learnt and one can become more than average in one year because of its simplicity. |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by droydakkount: 1:16pm On Jan 01, 2014 |
Thanks for sharing Op. Mod, shay dz 1 no sopose dey fp. |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by droydakkount: 1:16pm On Jan 01, 2014 |
Thanks for sharing Op. Mod, shay dz 1 no sopose dey fp? |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Pythonian99: 1:23pm On Jan 01, 2014 |
A programmer can either learn a "low" level or "high" level language as a beginner depending on the path he chooses to follow. You want to learn how to program real world instrumentation, then start with the appropriate language, HARD or EASY!!! 1 Like |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by wisemania(m): 6:27pm On Jan 01, 2014 |
mexzony:y am i not fustrated? I partially disagree wif u bro.Learning a middle-level lang like C only makes u a better programmer,coz it exposes u to some hidden tinz dat wud probably be done on ur behalf by d suppose high lavel lang....but hey,a newbie can learn any provided he is comfortable with it...my $0.02 2 Likes |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by mexzony: 10:38pm On Jan 01, 2014 |
wisemania:you are right about being an even better programmer learning mid level languages as you tend to fully understand what goes on under the hood but then not everyone is like you and out of a hundred complete novice programmers who have never typed code before maybe one or two will be able to cope with starting with hard languages like C or C++ the rest will get frustrated. Even experienced programmers recommend starting out with high level languages as you can still be a damn good programmer then you can gradually ease yourself into the low level stuff by then you will have felt confident. |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Nobody: 11:28pm On Jan 01, 2014 |
Pythonian99: I'd rather learn a language and be a Master in it than choose to learn 5 or 10 and remain an average joe in all!!! I guess u've never heard of "jack of all trade, master of some".... |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Pythonian99: 5:14pm On Jan 02, 2014 |
rutchiekens: No Sir, I'm not interested in the opinion of someone that has now uncharacteristically be termed as a "wise saying". A true programmer 'd rather do this: For instance, if Python isn't used to develop mobile apps, he'd try to use Python to create a framework that can be used to create mobile apps and see how it works. That is the kind of Python programmer I want to be, not a Jack-of-many-programming-languages 3 Likes |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Nobody: 9:55am On Jan 03, 2014 |
Thanks |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by zicjoe(m): 11:03pm On Jan 03, 2014 |
@op wat kind of book are u refering 2. |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by idlatest(m): 1:34pm On Jan 06, 2014 |
zicjoe: @op wat kind of book are u refering 2.they re alots of good books online on data structure |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by GoodBoi1(m): 5:23pm On Jan 06, 2014 |
Pythonian99:Don't put all your eggs in one basket. BTW knowing closely related languages helps to solidify your understanding of the initial language fz |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Pythonian99: 6:28pm On Jan 06, 2014 |
Good Boi: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by idlatest(m): 10:03pm On Jan 06, 2014 |
Mod. front page please |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Nobody: 11:49pm On Jan 07, 2014 |
Pythonian99: It’s better to get something done than to get something perfect... |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Raypawer(m): 2:52am On Jan 09, 2014 |
Great piece of Advice.... to me i believe any kind of programming language u want to learn.. as far as ur passionate abt what ur doing, u can always get there. |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by jayriginal: 11:14am On Jun 29, 2014 |
In my opinion programming advice should take consideration of the fact that some people are hobbyists while some want to go professional. What is the point in telling a would-be hobbyist to learn assembly language (for example)? Some advice are just too impractical jare. Nothing wrong in giving good pointers as long as you know who it is you are advicing. Some hobbyists will definitely go pro with time but not if you kill their interest with unrealistic to-do tasks. By the way does anyone use komodo here? |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by idlatest(m): 7:23pm On Oct 22, 2014 |
jayriginal:do u mean komodo edit? |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by 3Dimension: 4:57am On Oct 23, 2014 |
I dey follow |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by drealboy(m): 8:02am On Oct 23, 2014 |
Pythonian99: learning more than one language will even make u a better Programmer. |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by idlatest(m): 2:49pm On Oct 23, 2014 |
drealboy:U think so ? |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Raypawer(m): 11:30pm On Oct 23, 2014 |
rebirth of a seasoned advice! this was on of my rekindling advice on my bookmark before nairaland was unscrupulously swept off its data.... thanks man... remembering ***Fibonacci *** back in the days.. |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Sirnuel: 12:16am On Oct 24, 2014 |
Am a beginner n am starting with C++ |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by idlatest(m): 10:29am On Oct 24, 2014 |
Raypawer:welcome back |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by idlatest(m): 10:30am On Oct 24, 2014 |
Sirnuel:what re u going into? |
Re: What U Need To Know Before Learn A Programming Language by Peppul: 10:34pm On Oct 26, 2014 |
where can i learn computer programming, was unable to do that in d university so wanna do that now, |
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