How long did it take you guys?

[JLB87]

I was just wondering, how long did it take you guys to learn C/C++, to the point where you had a good understanding of the subject? Did you find it very difficut to learn? Also do you guys do programming as a carrier or just for fun in your spare time?

I want to get into programming, but im a little intimidated by C/C++, since it is (OOP) , to me it seems very difficult to understand. I was also thinking about other programming languages such as Java, Visual Basic, Perl, etc. Since I see C/C++ being the most popular and the most used, I assume that it's programming capabilities are pretty high.

The only programming experience I have would have to be Javascript, but I guess that doesn't really count. I find programming very interesting, and I'm maybe considering it as a carrier ( undisided, but I want to do something with computers anyways...)

- oh, and BTW I'm new! :D

[sicarius]

I'm of the opinion that C++ doesn't make a very good first language. It is an OK language, but I think I'd rather have a new programmer start off with Java if the choice were mine.

The truth though, is that once you have learned one programming language learning others is easier.

I also wouldn't be scared by OOP itself. OOP is actually one of the most intuitive programming paradigms.

So my suggestion is look into Java, then if you think you need C++ go ahead and learn that too.

[gish]

Developing my career.

It takes a good solid project to learn any language. One may know the basics of any language, but once you are invovled in a project for a good length of time, you will obviously understand the language very well. of course you need good "senior" leaders as well.

Javascript: There is nothing wrong with knowing Javascript. It does the job well and is relatively easy to learn. Like sicarius said, once you learn one language, and understand the approach of solving a problem, learning another language is fairly straightforward.

[jamessan]

I'd actually suggest a language in the Lisp family, such as Scheme, for a beginner to programming. One can easily start learning the concepts behind programming without having to learn as much syntax. Plus there is no need to edit, save, compile, run. You can just play with the language. If the person definitely wanted to learn a more C-style language, I'd suggest Python. Although, as sicarius points out, once you've learned one language it's usually not too hard to transition to another.

[Jamaican]

gish pointed out that it takes a good solid poject to learn any language and that is true. JAVA is about 35% C++, in that I mean the syntax almost the same and the oop capability, but C++ is much much more powerfull and they're even talking of making it more powerfull.

For a first language, I'd recomend Visual Basic, very easy to learn, however, its for the Windows platform, if your not using the windows platform go with C, it is a small laguage and is about 60% of C++

I started using C++ about.....lets see...a year ago or so, after knowing the intermediates in roughly 6 months, I did some huge projects (some still isn't finished yet, but their concepts are universal), however, now I'm doing my own Operating System.

but my friend, you have to be dedicated and willing, and to be such you have to be motivated, and motivation comes from kowing what you want and when you want it. Do you know what you want, do you want to be in 15 years the Cheif Information Officer (CIO) in a large company, making over $200,000 dollars a year, even more? and can't be out of a job, more than a week?
my friend, C++ is just one of the languages I know and I love it, to me it is the best, and what I want, is coming in 12 years.

[JLB87]

Ok first, I would like to thank you guys for your inputs.. I will take your guys advice into consideration and look into other programming languages other than C++, that might be a little easyer for me to pick up on. I posted this thread in another forum and they basicly had the same idea's as you guys. They said I would have to be commited to learning the language and that once I pick up on it, I will be able to pick up on other languages with ease.

I am fascinated with programming becuase I'm very creative and feel that making your own programs and applications would be such an accomplishment (well it would be for me).

Well I have plenty of time to learn before I finish high-school, I'm only 16, and in school we will be covering some basic C++ in my Information Technology 11 Class, so hopefully I can pick up on it quickly. :P

[stuka]

Honestly, I think I'm still learning C++, though I've written more than a couple of lines, and I've been using it more or less for 4 years now. One thing I can heartily reccomend - no matter WHAT text your school uses, go out and get a copy of 'Effective C++' by Scott Meyers. He goes a LONG way in explaining the whys and hows of C++.

[Flangazor]

C++ is evolving towards Lisp with kludgy syntax. I agree with jamessan: learn an s-expression based language. Common Lisp, Scheme; take your pick.