Okay guys, I know a few of you want to start, and don't know where to start, so I've devised a small guide to help you on your way.

First of all, don't start off with a really 'hard' language. Start off with an easy programming language. Suggestions for these are:
- Visual Basic (6 or .NET doesn't matter)
- Java (Note: this language sucks xD)
- HTML, CSS, Javascript and PHP (Even if you don't want to be a web programmer)
- Python

Okay, get familiar with these languages, take a few months on them, perhaps even go into mastering them.
When you think you have done that move onto a harder language such as,
- C++
- LISP
The good thing now you'll find is that they're easier to learn, Why? Because you've already learned
a language before and are used to them Razz

Take a while familiarizing again, practice with it, get some freelance work maybe? Get paid, okay,
now you've been doing programming for a few months-a few years, what next?

Now you go into specialist parts of programming languages. Say you wanted to be a game developer, then learn the
DirectX API for C++, say you wanted to learn how to create server and client interfaces, go into
Windows and Linux Sockets, there are millions of possibilities.

I give you this guide from experience, this is similar to what I did. If you wanna know what I did, here you are,
At age 24 I learned how to program for a game engine called RPG Toolkit 2, (because I love gaming so much)
it was very simple, but I didn't have very much computer access then (one every 2-3 weeks Neutral) it took me a while to move on.
At 25 I finally got my own computer, and learned C++, this wasn't too hard. However,
At 26 I learned Visual Basic, HTML, Javascript, CSS, PHP, and loads of others, you may be thinking why
I went to the easier languages again, this is simply because I felt if it was easier to do a job then why not.
I'm now 27 and use C++ again.

So that's the route I took, a quick example of how you could become a programmer.

Hope you enjoyed reading.

hey qcode thanx for the info,i would really love to go into programming,so u say start with visual basic?and why does java suck?anyway i started a thread for people who want to start programming but did not really get much response from nairalanders.i downloaded a compiler called bloodshed dev c++ and i havent really had time to get stuck into it.

Hi, jimblaze

Java sucks not literally. The language has much to offer but the support is not really there, but if you like Java, I advice you start up with C# because with the new CLR coming up which is expected to be Platform independent, Java will be extinct.

wats clr?

Hello friends please i want to go into web design,web development and programming please can anyone help me with a good recommendation, anywhere in the country phone numbers needed please for contact.

Total Bullocks.

There is no cook book on what languagues you need to learn or when to learn it.

Hi jimblaze

The CLR Was introduced in Microsoft .NET Framework which SIMPLY means common language runtime.

The following terms are important in the context of CLR routines:

.NET Framework

A Microsoft(R) application development environment comprised of the CLR and .NET Framework class library designed to provide a consistent programming environment for developing and integrating code pieces.

Common language runtime (CLR)
The runtime interpreter for all .NET Framework applications.

How this help

hi qcode,you seem to me like a genius.i would really like to get to know you well as a freind so you can help me on programming language and web design start up.i really need a teacher because i really dont know where to start.distance maybe a problem because i reside outside nigeria but thank goodness for msn and yahoo messenger which can help us interact almost like we were together.my email address is iamemminem@yahoo.com.you may write me there in details.

qcode:

Hi jimblaze

The CLR Was introduced in Microsoft .NET Framework which SIMPLY means common language runtime.

The following terms are important in the context of CLR routines:

.NET Framework

A Microsoft(R) application development environment comprised of the CLR and .NET Framework class library designed to provide a consistent programming environment for developing and integrating code pieces.

Common language runtime (CLR)
The runtime interpreter for all .NET Framework applications.

How this help

The CLR has for years now supported cross-language programming. You can actually open and edit Java code in Visual studio and there are add on's that allow you convert C# to Java and vice versa. Also you can use components written in practically any language as well.

Java is good and C# is great as well. I believe the main should be people having basic understanding of programming and use of it as well as best practises.
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/



By the way, I am kind of looking for some developers who would like to help me build a site I am working on and understand no more involved at this time. it is built on .NET but if you understand writing of components and are willing to work with what you know, you can help too, in any language. To START IMMEDIATELY if you want to.

can u please refer me to the site where i can download visual basic compiler?

christopgo:

Hello friends please i want to go into web design,web development and programming please can anyone help me with a good recommendation, anywhere in the country phone numbers needed please for contact.

Hmm, going into web design will take alot of your time and energy, please dont be decieved, Web design is a complete Art of the Creative minds. You must be an intelligent thinker as well as someone who can really think out Aloud! This is simply because there are some many technology that makes up a the web.

So you must be prepare to learn a new thing almost every day, if you must be a good web designer. But Let me ask you first, what's your take in IT? do you have a good understanding of the industry just yet? please let me know so I can be of help.

christopgo:

Hello friends please i want to go into web design,web development and programming please can anyone help me with a good recommendation, anywhere in the country phone numbers needed please for contact.

Hmm, going into web design will take alot of your time, focus and energy, please be rightly advice Web design is a complete Art of the Creative minds mixed with intelligent. You must be an intelligent thinker as well as someone who can really think out Aloud! This is simply so because there are so many technologies that makes up a the web.

So you must be prepare to learn a new thing almost every day, if you must be a good web designer. But Let me ask you first, what's your take in IT? do you have a good understanding of the industry just yet? please let me know so I can be of help.

qcode:

Hmm, going into web design will take alot of your time, focus and energy, please be rightly advice Web design is a complete Art of the Creative minds mixed with intelligent. You must be an intelligent thinker as well as someone who can really think out Aloud! This is simply so because there are so many technologies that makes up a the web.

So you must be prepare to learn a new thing almost every day, if you must be a good web designer. But Let me ask you first, what's your take in IT? do you have a good understanding of the industry just yet? please let me know so I can be of help.

Well its very interesting to see people wanting to learn this its pretty easy the one i use is php, CGI and Java Scripts but you can find more resources and free programing tools at my site
http://www.digital.com.ng/forum

ifkunlethe:

can u please refer me to the site where i can download visual basic compiler?

qcode:

Hmm, going into web design will take alot of your time and energy, please don't be decieved, Web design is a complete Art of the Creative minds. You must be an intelligent thinker as well as someone who can really think out Aloud! This is simply because there are some many technology that makes up a the web.

So you must be prepare to learn a new thing almost every day, if you must be a good web designer. But Let me ask you first, what's your take in IT? do you have a good understanding of the industry just yet? please let me know so I can be of help.

Thank you my good friend for ur concern please i will like to state i clearly that i don't have any ideal about how the IT works but if you can help me with any recommendation on were i can learn how to do it, i will be very greatful for intelligence that is not a problem at all i believe so much in my abilities once i have the right person behind me thank please reply alongside this mail with ur number for immediate contact.