Computer Programming Language for Beginners

Labels

Description

Answers (2)

• 
  Moriarty
  Aug 21, 2011

  There are a myriad of opinions on which programming language is suitable for beginners to learn. C#, C++, Python, Ruby, PERL, Java, JavaScript, PHP, even Pascal among others have been suggested as great ways to get into programming and they are all great languages to use. There really isn't a definite language that is a must use for beginners and one language that may be difficult to understand for one may be easier to use for another.

  All high-level programming languages (programming languages whose codes are composed of user friendly problem-oriented syntax as opposed to low-level languages which are much more similar to machine code) are designed with the ease of the programmer in mind. Saying that one is better than the other is basically just a matter of opinion and even the “basic” languages that are taught to students in programming schools changes to reflect which languages are in wide use (and therefore useful for those looking for careers in the field).

  If you're looking to choose a language to add to your skill-set, it would be simpler to find which languages are popular and then choose one. As long as you have a grasp of the basic programming concepts (things like flowcharting and logic) many of today's modern programming languages are easy enough to pick up on as long as you have the diligence and dedication to learn.

  The following are a list of some of the most widely used languages today according to the TIOBE index[1] and links to beginners tutorials that you may find useful:

  1. Java : http://www.freejavaguide.com/corejava.htm
  2. C : http://einstein.drexel.edu/courses/Comp_Phys/General/C_basics/
  3. C++ : http://www.cpp4u.com/c++/tutorial/beginner.html
  4. PHP : http://www.webmonkey.com/2010/02/php_tutorial_for_beginners/
  5. C# : http://www.csharphelp.com/2006/12/c-tutorial-for-beginners/
  6. Objective – C : http://www.cocoatraces.com/
  7. Visual Basic : http://visualbasic.freetutes.com/learn-vb6/
  8. Python : http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/Programmers
  9. Perl : http://www.perl.com/pub/2000/10/begperl1.html
  10. JavaScript : http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kayseycarvey/
  11. Lua : http://lua.gts-stolberg.de/en/index.php?uml=1
  12. Ruby : http://www.sitepoint.com/learn-ruby-on-rails/
  13. Delphi / Object Pascal : http://www.delphibasics.co.uk/
  14. Lisp : http://www.cs.sfu.ca/CC/310/pwfong/Lisp/1/tutorial1.html
  15. T-SQL : http://www.db-staff.com/index.php/microsoft-sql-server/84-t-sql-tutorial-beginners
  16. ADA : http://www.infres.enst.fr/~pautet/Ada95/a95list.htm
  17. RPG (OS/400) : http://www.jaymoseley.com/hercules/rpgtutor/rpgtutor.htm
  18. Pascal : http://www.astahost.com/info.php/Pascal-Beginners-Part_t15281.html
  19. F# : http://blogs.msdn.com/b/chrsmith/archive/2008/05/02/f-in-20-minutes-part-i.aspx
  20. Assembly : http://www.avr-asm-download.de/beginner_en.pdf

  There are also a lot of forums on each language and programming in general that you can visit to find out more.

  Source:

  http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/content/paperinfo/tpci/index.html

• 
  Sera
  Aug 17, 2011

  The `default' language for Computer Science students (including at my own university) is Java. Whether this is the best is debatable but what is more important is that the programming it self captures your interest and serves your purpose.

  You're an electrical engineer so I suppose you'd like to talk to external devices at some point. For this C is quite useful and it's easy to learn. If you focus more on something like Arduino[1] you could also learn their custom language which is generic enough to be a useful learning experience.

  If you want to continue learning about programming you will need to learn multiple languages from multiple categories. Feel free to pick one or two of each category from the list on wikipedia[2].

  Otherwise it is more important to choose any language to solve an interesting problem you have and pick a second language when you feel like your not learning anything new about the first. Skills transfer between languages and each new language you learn will teach you something about the previous languages.

  [1] Arduino, http://www.arduino.cc/ [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programming_languages_by_category