Is there any way for a guy like me with no programming experience...

[evilneko]

Definitely seconding MJ Projector's suggestion of finding a project. Think of something you wish you had a program to do for you, be it cataloging your DVDs or even just something silly. The project will keep you motivated, which helps keep you from giving up. Once you do a few things with it, you might find yourself inspired to do more. If you do...you'll be well on your way.

 

[guardian001]

One of the great things about programming is that you don't need any formal education to do it. There are enough resources available to you that you can teach yourself with the help of Google.

I might actually recommend Java [http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/index.html] as a starting language, with Eclipse [http://www.eclipse.org/] as your IDE. It is similar enough to C and C++ that you won't be completely lost upon changing over to them, it is powerful enough to be viable, and, most importantly of all for a beginner, the compiler is amazing at telling you exactly why your program won't compile (something you generally won't get in C or C++.)
It isn't specifically designed to be easy to use, but it's big enough and old enough that there is information available for any project you might want to try, along with all the tutorials you could ever need. Although you'll probably find it lacking if you ever try to make a real project for public distribution, it's an excellent starting point for you to make a start from.

 

[Pat8u]

Im self taught it is a very good way to get into programming for starters you should learn a language like java or Python Google new boston and you will begin learning very easliy

 

[biggskanz]

If you're interested in programming computer games or xbox games I'd look into XNA which uses C#. There are "hello world" tutorials where your most basic program is drawing a model or sprite to the screen. An added bonus is that if you're doing something you enjoy (programming a game) then you wont get burned out as quick and will enjoy your time programming.

Programming is more of a skill than a teachable knowledge and it takes practice to improve. Once you get started and have a few small apps under your belt I'd read: "The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master". It's a short, interesting and language agnostic book which will help you develop good habits before you make bad ones.

 

[TheLoneBeet]

Not really an expert myself, but the first step I would take in learning that kind of stuff is a book. Most likely "for Dummies" ones. (That isn't supposed to be an insult, I'm trying to say I would buy said book.)

Also, welcome to the Escapist!

Ninja'd. This was the first thing that came into my head; "I bet there's a 'Programming for Dummies!' book available. I'm going to suggest that."

 

[newwiseman]

Most of learning how to program is just learning how to think. Computers can do anything you can tell them to do, but only if you can give them every step from A to B without assumptions. It's one big logic puzzel.

Specific languages (C, Java, Perl) are just syntax differences. I got my start with Visual Basic (c++), then learned Action Script as part of making flash games, then learned Java as I moved away from making games and started making web sites.

Java is probably a good start and there are a lot of free compilers out there that check for syntax errors before compiling. But Java is also one of the more annoying languages.

What exactly are you looking to make?

 

[Pegghead]

From what I've heard, Java's a general, good all-rounder of a language.

Then again, my dad's been a programmer since computers were the size of washing machines and fed with tape and that's the language he tends to use so...maybe not.

 

[feather240]

Python would be a good start.

Python the Hard Way
http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/

The Python Tutorial
http://docs.python.org/tutorial/

Python Download (3.0)
http://www.python.org/download/releases/3.2/

 

[NathLines]

There was this guy in my class who was self-taught. Knew way more than any of our programming teachers and helped them more than they helped him. He was able to program a basic version of Minecraft in a relatively short time for example. Ah, the frustration of being stuck with numbers and variables while he's off making GRAPHICS.

I don't really know what programming language to start with. You can get Eclipse for free and try working with Java. I would suggest going into C++ though.

 

[Falconsgyre]

...to get into some sort of programming language without having say, taken a ton of courses for it? I've read on here that some programmers are self-taught, although I'm skeptical of the validity of the interwebz sometimes.

Bear in mind I don't know the first thing about any sort of programming languages or anything like that. Is there any sort of semi-easy program out there that teaches the basics to knuckleheads like me or is that not a possibility outside of courses?

Thanks!

CS major here.

You can learn by yourself, but it's always easier with a teacher. Programming is not particularly hard to learn, but there are usually things beginners get stuck on (recursion, for example- you'll get to it) that it really helps to have someone around to ask about. The fact that a class will also keep you on track with homework and grading is a big help to learning. So I'd recommend taking a course if you have that option. But it's by no means a necessity.

I will second everyone in recommending Python as your first language. It's absolutely the best for learning basic concepts because of its simplicity. If you want to be a competent programmer, though, you absolutely need to learn C and C++ at some point. Java is also very, very good to know, and easier to learn than C++.

I would also recommend NOT using any kind of program that helps you code like Eclipse at first. It helps build basic skills. In other words, don't use any kind of program that checks for errors in your code- you want to know that stuff by heart. (On the other hand, that's kind of an old-fashioned, hard-line approach to programming... so maybe not.) A good, lightweight program for coding in is Notepad++ [http://notepad-plus-plus.org/]. (If you do Python, you'll need to adjust the setting for tabs, though- make sure you set tabs to whitespaces, otherwise the Python interpreter won't understand it). You might also just want to start out using Notepad or whatever the basic word editing program you have.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

Not really an expert myself, but the first step I would take in learning that kind of stuff is a book. Most likely "for Dummies" ones. (That isn't supposed to be an insult, I'm trying to say I would buy said book.)

Also, welcome to the Escapist!

Seconded, I've been able to play a bit of Power Metal on bass since reading the 'for Dummies' book on Bass.

And look on the interwebs, TTrapGames has tutorials in C+ or something....

 

[Smooth Operator]

Depending on how serious you are about this, if you got enough determination then learning a couple of programming languages is nothing, the interwebz has thousands of tutorials on every and all known languages.

I say proceed like this:
- on every language find several tutorials, examples and write your own stuff as you learn new things
- begin with Visual Basic (perfect for a newbie)
- if you really want to go pro then next comes C++ and after that C (they are the essence to in-depth understanding of programming)
- once you got those down there is no shortage of high-level languages that you should use for your starting projects (Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, C#,...), just need to choose what sort of thing you want to do

And for the love of god don't buy paper books on programming, copy-paste and search features are crucial to these books and the paper forms just don't have that.

 

[Tallim]

Yeah I taught myself C#. Only previous experience programming I had was the C64. Quite different it turns out. It took a while but there are great resources on the net.

The key to learning programming is *wanting* to learn, if that makes sense. You really need to get in to all the core stuff which can be very boring to be honest. Once you have that under your belt you can start actually making things that you want.

 

[Gather]

The textbook I bought for Uni when learning programming was damn good in teaching C++. "A First Book of C++ From Here to There" is it's name.

 

[Shazzam]

http://www.csharpcourse.com/

This should do it, beginner oriented and simple, C# and Java options on there