HOW AND WHERE TO START TO LEARN TO

PROGRAM?

Keeping it simple, programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This code can be written in a variety of computer programming languages. Some of these languages include Java, C, C#, C++ and Python. Computer code is a collection of typed words that the computer can clearly understand. Many people think that they would like learn computer programming, but have no idea where to start. It's important to have realistic expectations. You are not going to be able to write the next Google or World of Warcraft in a few weeks/months. These types of applications require entire teams of people to build with many man-years of eff ort. Computer programming is challenging and isn't something you can learn overnight. Start small and build on your knowledge incrementally.

WHERE TO START?

A common pitfall for beginners is getting stuck fi guring out which programming language is best to learn fi rst. There are a lot of opinions out there, but there's no one "best" language. Here's the thing: In the end, language doesn't matter THAT much. Understanding data and control structures and design patterns does matter very much. Every language, even a simple scripting language will have elements that you'll use in other languages as well and will help you learn. In classes I took to get my degree in Games Design but there was no programming there. It was all about 3D modelling, drawing and animation. I learned to program on my own. I taught myself every language I've used in my career, reusing concepts I already knew, and referring to documentation and books to learn its syntax. So, don't get hung up on what language to learn fi rst. Pick the kind of development you want to do, and just get started using one that works.

WHERE TO START?

I started off with using Visual Basic. It’s basically a low level language but you’ll learn everything in this language that you’re going to use in high level languages like C++ and Python. So, Visual Basic would be a good language to start with because it requires no previous experience in programming. Learning Visual Basic will give you a basic understanding of how computer programming works and is also really entertaining!

WHERE TO START?

The fi rst language that you learn will be the hardest language that you learn because the concept will be new to you. After learning your fi rst language, you will have an understanding of how computer programming works and that will help you a lot when it comes to learning other languages. If you choose a language such as C++ with a more complicated syntax then it is going to be very confusing and hard for you to understand if you do not have any prior experience. The fi rst language that you choose to learn is completely your choice, but I strongly recommend that you begin with Visual Basic.

WHERE TO START?

Since this presentation is all about giving you a guide about where to start… not about telling you how to do it. Therefore, I can’t write down whole programs for you. But what you can do is, just google ‘free programming for beginners’ or ‘free Visual Basic tutorials’, and you will get several websites that have free programming courses and tutorials for the beginners.

WHERE TO START?

It doesn’t take a genius to learn programming. If you are ‘Oh I can’t be bothered’ type of person then forget about it, you’re not going to be able to do it. Programming requires time, patience, hardwork and lots and lots of practice. It’s going to be frustrating in the fi rst few months but you will get there eventually. Just don’t give up. Once you learn how to program, you will know how to hack as well. But don’t use your skills to hack a person or a company even if you’re doing it just for fun. It will get you in a lot of trouble as cyber security is active 24/7 and will trace you down almost instantly.

THINGS TO REMEMBER