Programming language for a beginner

[thelocaluk]

Hi everyone, I've recently completed my first VBA project which gave me a taste for programming. Where is the best place to start, as there are so many languages. I would like to start from the bottom and eventually learn a language which could lead to a new career (long term plan).

[damasterjo]

well then jump into that language now. No need in working your way up in languages, work your way up in the language you want to career in.

[thelocaluk]

Which is the most useful language at present, C++?
I have almost no experience so I don't want to take on a challenging language that will put me of learning.

[big blue alien]

learn as many languages as you can get your hands on but VB.NET is a pretty good one to start with, you can get results fast

[I_Love_My_Vans]

Visual BAsic, worked for me, and very popular, so no end of help :D

ILMV

[zaza]

Start with Assembly and work up from there.

[RobDog888]

Since your already into VBA, you may want to see if you can still get VB 6 since its so similar. Going from VBA to VB.NET is more dificult but has greater rewards.

Moved :)

[penagate]

Visual Basic corrupts you for when you want to use real languages :)

Seriously though it's alright for learning basics like program flow, logic structures, etc. Beyond that I'd suggest learning something like C (and assembler with its requirement for understanding of CPU architecture will help you greatly for any language). Also, web languages help a lot these days.

[Kasracer]

Don't learn C or VB6. You need to learn an Object Oriented language. C++, Java, C#, VB.Net, J#, etc... are all Object Oriented and are the most used languages (except for maybe J#). Learning 1 will allow you to easily learn the others. VB.Net is the only 1 with a more natural syntax so if you start with C++, C#, or Java, you'll better prepare yourself for learning any language in the future.

I suggest learning either C++ or C#.

Also, learning C will get you into a structured programming habbit. You have to un-learn all that to move onto C++ and actually use the language correctly instead of putting C syntax in C++.

[sevenhalo]

You may want to start with learning about enterprise level databases. Like kas said, OOP is the "here and now" of programming. A great way to get yourself into a mindset of building objects and desiging systems is to start at the core; the database. After you get into table relationships and normilization, it's a wonderful jump off point into any OOP language.

It's easy to get started in, but takes alot of trial and error to master.

[penagate]

We have this debate every time someone asks this question :lol:

Bottom line is eventually you will have the skills and habits you need to code in all languages. Which one you use depends on which is best suited to the particular job you are doing. The more languages you know, the less you think in a particular language and more you can focus on the program logic instead.

[thelocaluk]

Wow, so much advice it's mind blowing :afrog:
I will look at starting with VB.Net, sounds like a good place to start going by your advice. Thanks

[Jmacp]

PHP is a great laungage. PHP, Javascript and actionscript will do you well.

[RobDog888]

But those are languages for web development. Probably better to start with win apps first. :)

[gigemboy]

VB.NET is great to start out for a beginner, this is spoken from a beginner :) It has easily readable syntax that one can follow and understand... I have programmed in C and C++ before for a few college courses, and hated it, couldnt understand why someone would enjoy programming. Wasn't until I started VB.NET that I grew to love it...

Of course, this is only another opinion among several already posted :)

[Shaggy Hiker]

First question might reasonably be: What do you have access to?

VB2005 Express is available for free at this time. All of the other VB.NET flavors will cost you a fair amount.

VB6 may not be easily available period.

C/C++ have open source tools, so there are free C++ compilers (is GNU still around?)

Assembly is tougher to work in, but very valuable to be familiar with. However, since it is tougher to work in it, you may end up spending more on tools if you went this route (I don't really know, I was given the ones I have).

The other languages suggested may or may not have associated financial burdens.

[francisstokes]

The first programming language i ever learned was C++ about 4 years ago, and although it took me a little while, i got it in the end. And it really helps you get OOP. I think that thats the place to start.