Programing languages

timbim_2

I know that there are a few keen/experienced programmers on this board, Proliant being one of them, and I'd like to ask a little advice from the said subset. I've done some programming in a couple of basic dialects, and would like to step up into a more powerful and less limiting language. First critera is that it's free, and needs to have a good online community with plenty of support out there. The other is that it needs good file tools, as the file handling of my basic dialect is decidedly poor. I've been looking at Visual Studio Express on Microsoft's website, and some of that looks quite tempting, but any advice truly appriciated. Of particualr use would be comments on how easy/hard any particular language is to learn.

Again, many thanks,
Tim

[Deleted User]

Start with C, it's a very powerful language that will give you a good overall understanding of the principals of computer programming. Then when you have an understanding of that you can move into C++ and beyond!

timbim_2

So C# express? That's the free one

[Deleted User]

timbim wrote: »

So C# express? That's the free one

No, just start with basic C not #.

Bloodshed is a good, open source IDE for you to start to program with. I prefer Visual Studio, because that's what we use at work, although it is expensive.

C/C++ is not platform dependant and isn't locked in by any one company, so there's tons of information on the net to learn from.

Get this book and you'll be set.

Personally, I'd avoid VB as it's not that useful for much, although if you do want instant results then it might be a place to start. It doesn't really address programming principals though as C does.

olly300

timbim wrote: »

So C# express? That's the free one

C# is a Microsoft language and languages developed by Microsoft are not free.*

C is an older language and the basis for languages such as C++, Java and C#.

If you learn basic C then you can use what you learnt to quickly learn and make program in other languages.

There are free compilers out there. Just type in words such as "Free C compiler" in google and you will find links that get them.

Actually I do this for you: http://!!!!!!!.com/dcl5ru

(!!!! equals t i n y u r l without the spaces)

*There are open source compilers of MS languages but they are not official.

timbim_2

I suppose that I'll be looking at a separate compiler and editing code with the like of notepad++. Can you suggest a good compiler?

[Deleted User]

timbim wrote: »

I suppose that I'll be looking at a separate compiler and editing code with the like of notepad++. Can you suggest a good compiler?

Bloodshed is an Integrated Development Environment which means you can write and compile your code in one program.

timbim_2

Is it that good a writing interface, or would I be better served using np++? I have little experience in the area.

allh2k

forget all this fancy C vb stuff

Get on the mainframe and kick out some COBOL! or even easier REXX/CLIST!

you could go the whole hog and just learn assembler its no that hard after a few attempts but I suppose it does help if you read binary!!

GL anyways I had this decision when I left college 5 years ago and then landed a job on the Mainframe.

bonzer

Perl is a very useful language to learn. Available free on most platforms. Very popular, massive community support and lots of books written.

It's a scripting language that's particularly good at text and file handling. It's often the glue that binds a lot of big enterprise systems together behind the scenes. Easy to get into. I use it all the time for all kinds of odd jobs.

Bonzer

timbim_2

Anyone recomend a good C forum/community? Thanks for all the suggestions.