Starting coding

[Juanmac]

Hi, i would like to start coding for the very first time, and i've been looking for a good coding basics book that gives me a little bit of the background knowledge needed to understand what i am doing when i start learning an specific language. Any recommendations??

[deepakdeshp]

I will recommend that you learn Python 3.x version. It is simple yet very powerful

[Juanmac]

I will recommend that you learn Python 3.x version. It is simple yet very powerful

but im not talking about languages, i'm asking for books, exercises. I started reading about pseudo codes, cause i understand those are the programming basics..

[JosephM]

The best way is probably pick a language and start writing actual code. You can learn all the theory you want but until you start applying it in actual code you don't really understand it. The language you start with could depend on what kinds of things you want to do. Why are you interested in learning programming?

[Flemur]

The best way is probably pick a language and start writing actual code. You can learn all the theory you want but until you start applying it in actual code you don't really understand it.

Indeed! It's rather like trying to learn a human language by just reading it.

OP: pick a project you want to do with your code, something simple to start with, and then do it.

[Hoser Rob]

I agree on Python (or maybe PERL would be better?) for beginning coding. I'm not so sure however that pseudocode is going to be useful if you don't know any programming languages. But here's a pretty good pseudocode guide:

http://guyhaas.com/bfoit/itp/Pseudocode.html

[rene]

(or maybe PERL would be better?)

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

[otacon14112]

I third the recommendation to start with Python. It's an easy language, and the variables can be declared on-the-fly without having to worry about casting. Don't be fooled by its ease to pick up; it's a very powerful language. In fact, it's probably the most popular language to use with AI and neural networks, and it has a large online community.

I'm not really sure what you mean by wanting to study pseudocode without delving into a particular language. All pseudocode is written in some language. The best way to learn is by doing. Look up some Python tutorials. There are many out there.

[BG405]

I'm not really sure what you mean by wanting to study pseudocode without delving into a particular language. All pseudocode is written in some language.

My thoughts as well. I think doing some actual coding will make it easier to learn the concepts of how it works. I started out with CBM BASIC V2 on the Commodore 64 and later, in the quest for better speed & performance, decided to try writing simple machine code routines based on how I thought the BASIC commands were being interpreted. This worked and I ended up writing modules for display interrupts, mouse drivers etc. using the Action Replay cartridge's built-in assembler.

The best way to learn is by doing.

Exactly! Now, as for which language? Don't know enough about the candidates to suggest one myself, yet ...

[lsemmens]

I'll second/third the motion to learn by doing. Theory is great, I can write fantastic pseudo code but, making it work is a whole 'nother ballpark. On a related topic, what are the main uses of Python? Web dev? Standalone? SQL Access?

[JosephM]

I'll second/third the motion to learn by doing. Theory is great, I can write fantastic pseudo code but, making it work is a whole 'nother ballpark. On a related topic, what are the main uses of Python? Web dev? Standalone? SQL Access?

Python is used for pretty much everything. It's all over your Linux install. Many of Mint's own tools use it. While it's a great choice to learn with, it does depend a bit on what you want to do. If you are interested in game programming, desktop environment dev, graphics, etc. You might be better off learning something else.

[mediclaser]

Hi, i would like to start coding for the very first time, and i've been looking for a good coding basics book that gives me a little bit of the background knowledge needed to understand what i am doing when i start learning an specific language. Any recommendations??

Start with a book about flowcharting. Then pick an easy-to-learn language like what has been mentioned here already (Python). Also, this site may help you in solving programming problems --> projecteuler.net

[Hoser Rob]

The best way is probably pick a language and start writing actual code. You can learn all the theory you want but until you start applying it in actual code you don't really understand it. The language you start with could depend on what kinds of things you want to do. Why are you interested in learning programming?

That pretty much nailed it ... the actual language syntax is not the hard or important part. Understanding the algorithms is. It's like mathematical problem solving ... if you're memorizing it you do not understand it.