I have recently become very interested in computer science and I am currently learning HTML, I know that is practically nothing but it is only to get me started. I know two programmers and both said they would teach me which I prefer instead of reading constantly, although I love reading I think if I had to read some books on PERL or C++ or any other language i would take a long time to finish.

My first question is, which language should I learn? I was thinking of PERL only because I here a new version may be coming out within a year or two. But C++ is big now so I am not sure which I want to learn. Any suggestions?

Programming and CS are different. Programmers without a CS background are typically called code monkeys. They can code anything they're told to, but if u simply give them a problem they may not be able to solve it in the most efficient way. They lack the theory behind it. Be sure to get a good CS background as well. Study data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, etc.

As for languages, we've gone over this in other threads, and the fact remains, it really doesn't matter. If you plan on doing this as a career you'll be told to learn a dozen languages. Once u understand the concepts of datatypes, datastructures, flow control, functions, modular design, object oriented design, etc, you'll be able to read the specifications and pickup any langauge in about a day. BUT if you'd like to start in a language, i suggest C. Its difficult, but once you can program in C..the rest come easy. Don't forget to study various assemblers as there will come time when you need the added efficiency.

-AntonK

HTML isn't really a language, despite the L. I'm a fan of Python as a first language, it is much nicer to learn than the likes of perl.

http://www.python.org

http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22922

This thread is useful, or not at all useful depending upon one's point of view

Spend a few hours playing around with Python (http://www.python.org), its one of the less frustrating computer languages out there.

HTML isn't really a language, despite the L. I'm a fan of Python as a first language, it is much nicer to learn than the likes of perl.

I know HTML isnt a real language but i was told that it was good ot start with and thanks for the suggestions guys.

They lied...HTML really isn't good to learn first in my opinion because it isn't a language at all, it's a data structure. Its a way of storing data (the page contents) in a form that can be redispayed in some organized format...all pages break down basically to a tree which is a basic data structure.

-AntonK

I know I might get smacked around a bit for this.. If you have a JavaScript browser try some JavaScript. No compilers just your browser a text editor and away you go. Very forgiving language for new programers and with the knowledge of HTML you already have, you can do some great stuff.

It is very forgiving..which I think may be a bad thing. For instance, I don't know all of you were raised but when I was taught to drive, I was taught on a GIANT old suburban. That thing was REALLY hard to drive. You had to knwo what you were doing just to shift gears. And parking was horrible! Anyway, my point is that now when I drive a honda civic or something (no i dont own one..i drive a Mustang) I can drive EASILY. Its best to learn on something simple yes....but not lazy. Many others have said it, and I agree. Python is nice to learn. It is instant gratification because it runs as soon as you type it. Some things I don't like about it is that its weakly typed (which means a variable can hold anything, not just a certain type of something) which can make you lazy too, but overall its MUCH better than learning on Javascript.

-AntonK

Thanks guys. So you think I should learn Python first? Ok I'll check it out.

What's cs Antonk??

Computer Sciences....the study of data structures and algorithms as opposed to the learning of a particular language.

-AntonK

Would machine coding be enough?? Surely if one can understand machine coding, then all one has to know then is the assembler's language??

learn PHP with MYSql, one famous is Oracle.

If you want to go into MS side, learn ASP...those scripting languages are fun.

Don't learn javascript, it should die and prob will die soon.

Machine coding? Are you referring to actually learning the bit patterns for various CPU operations? That's not very helpful I'd say. You can learn a particular CPI's assembly code which is more useful, but that won't help you learn any other particular language, since most high level languages were invented to get away from the concepts in low level assembly.

-AntonK

Originally posted by AlexKN1
learn PHP with MYSql, one famous is Oracle.

If you want to go into MS side, learn ASP...those scripting languages are fun.

Don't learn javascript, it should die and prob will die soon.

I agree, learn PHP, but as for the MySQL and Oracle, they are totally different. I think what you were trying to say is learn SQL (Structured Query Language). MySQL is one RDMS (relational database management system) that is SQL compliant and Oracle is another famouse one. SQL makes it easy to use the same commands and queries to access any database regardless of the underying management system. ASP and PHP are very much alike in function and very different in implementation. Personally, I prefer PHP. As for javascript dieing, how will much of the client-side scripting be done in the future then?

-AntonK