HTML a Good place to start with Learning programming

[blue_hat]

HI, I'm just starting out in the world of real programming after a few false starts. I have extensive knowledge in HTML and CSS due to the fact that I used to work part-time at a Web Design place. The problem was there was never really any need for me to learn anything other than HTML and CSS and Web Design with Photoshop because there were very good PHP, Javascript and ASP programmers who would just put that stuff in the sites I designed so I didn't push myself to learn that sort of stuff then.

Now, I am (in my opinion) quite good at HTML and CSS and trying to learn PHP, Python and Javascript on my own I notice that they are strikingly similar in principle to HTML. HTML is simply a list of instructions that tell the browser what to do and like regular programming if you miss one simple character it does exactly what you don't want it [the browser] to do.

So, advice for those wanting to learn programming, try HTML and CSS they (well it) is very very simple easy to learn and there are few things you need to drill into your brain and it teaches you principles that are very vital to programming in general. You can learn HTML by downloading free templates (valid HTML 5 and CSS of course) and just look at the source code, every browser has that option or just open it in your favourite text editor and see what the author did to achieve what was achieved. You will be on your way in a few weeks. You can create websites about anything you want which solves the problem beginner programmers in programming languages might have of coming up with something to develop. Web Design is much less stressful in that regard and when you start writing good pages (by good I mean compliant) consistently, you can move on to PHP and Javascript because sooner or later you will need the functionality these languages provide in your web pages. Once you can write good PHP and Javascript consistently most of the work is done, you have acquired pretty much all the basic concepts you will ever need to branch out into all the programming languages out there.

I am as we speak in the process of working on my PHP, Javascript and will soon move on to Python, C, C++ and Java. That's just the route I am going to take in my quest to be a good programmer - wish me luck!!!

[mShred]

Well first off, what are you trying to do with any newly learned programming skills? If you are looking for web development, then by all means continue on your path for it be wise. But if you're looking for something like application development or scripting, then you might wanna take a detour. Python and Perl are great interpreted languages. I love Perl. It's like an computer orgasm without the pornhub. These are good for personal gain such as Network Administration or even Project Euler. For something like gaming development, then run a quick Google search on Java or C++. I myself am beginning to pick up Java for some Android app deving.. All for my new Kindle Fire. But yeah, what exactly are you trying to do? With that, it'd be a lot easier to tell you what you might want to do.
By the way, I love your enthusiasm. HTS needs more blue_hats.

[blue_hat]

Well, I'm doing Web Design now, so PHP and Javascript would make sense, but I want to do applications and such with C, C++, Java, Pyhton etc. I love the idea but the time is what's killing me. I'd love to find me a place where I can get real-time lectures in any of the above.

[DegreesKelvin]

Yea, programming an entirely new language is not something you can do in a week or two. My first language was C++ but this left me mentally unstable and with a compulsive need for optimalization so I suggest perl as well.

[LoGiCaL__]

Yea, programming an entirely new language is not something you can do in a week or two. My first language was C++ but this left me mentally unstable and with a compulsive need for optimalization so I suggest perl as well.

C++ was my first language and I still stick with it. For the most part you have to make a good amount of things from scratch. C is probably even lower. However, html and I mean proper html, really taught me syntax awareness. I liked web design, but I didn't like the art part. Html is good to learn, but you should learn logic and program flow.

[PinkFloyd22]

Well first off, what are you trying to do with any newly learned programming skills? If you are looking for web development, then by all means continue on your path for it be wise. But if you're looking for something like application development or scripting, then you might wanna take a detour. Python and Perl are great interpreted languages. I love Perl. It's like an computer orgasm without the pornhub. These are good for personal gain such as Network Administration or even Project Euler. For something like gaming development, then run a quick Google search on Java or C++. I myself am beginning to pick up Java for some Android app deving.. All for my new Kindle Fire. But yeah, what exactly are you trying to do? With that, it'd be a lot easier to tell you what you might want to do.
By the way, I love your enthusiasm. HTS needs more blue_hats.

Off topic thanks for the site Project Euler mShred didn't see it before.I find the problems very interesting and a good practice too since I'm kinda out of projects :s.Tnx again really got me interested!

[conscience]

Currently I spend my daytime coding for the J2EE industry, so I think I can give some help on Java. Unfortunately I'm quite not a time millionaire so I might not always be handy. Should you come up with virtually any idea of programming languages, I guess we'll all be glad to help.

[blue_hat]

It's always nice to know that there is somewhere I can go to get help. Thanx guys. What I wanted to outline that I forgot in the first post was the fact that HTML teaches syntax awareness, thats it! Forgot to mention that. The weird thing is I'm teaching myself C++ (I taught myself X/HTML and CSS). I figured C++ would be a bit more challenging to learn on my own when compared to HTML but jeez - it's very challenging nowhere near what I had anticipated. But I'm hangin in there.

How long do you think it may take to be able to write something useful (on average)?

[LoGiCaL__]

How long do you think it may take to be able to write something useful (on average)?

Only you can answer that. There are many different branches to go. Its definitely a learning process. Chances are, if your still asking that question you still need to study more of the language. After studying the language for a while problems will come up and you will be like "hey, ill write a program that can automate the process". There are branches however. Examples are text/string manipulation, network programming, mathematical calculations. Learn the core language and after that learn on the fly. Don't give up though.

[conscience]

How long do you think it may take to be able to write something useful (on average)?

Something 'useful' will help you out in a particular situation. Recently, a friend asked me for a desktop application in which he could throw a bunch of words and get them back sorted in alphabetic order. Nothing fancy indeed (okay, depressingly boring). What's more it's kind of one-liner in Java (at least in respect to the actual work done). Even the simplest things may be useful under circumstances they're definitely needed. Also, the existence of reusable libraries makes implementing several stuff easier.