So You Want to Learn how to Code?

[1stFlight]

Then Microsoft wants to help you out, with free tutorials on Windows application development with the newbie in mind!

Welcome to the Beginner Developer Learning Center - a centralized learning environment specifically targeted to beginning programmers. Here you'll find a rich array of learning content that starts with the very basics, and guides you through step-by-step to becoming a fully-fledged developer!

No experience or programming knowledge required - so dive right in!

For an overview of all the lessons available on this site, see My Learning Path.

Source: Microsoft.com

[ShiningArcanine]

Microsoft should be teaching people to write C++ without managed code before they teach them to write C# with managed code. C++ is superior in terms of what you can do; for example, you can have less bloated applications with C++.

[Greasy]

Teaching C++ to noobs isn't exactly gonna be an easy thing to do. .Net is a perfect start... They can learn the fundamentals of OOP, and familiarize themselves with basic algorithms. Then if they want more "robust" apps they can learn C++.

[Razmadaz]

I still say learn with gcc ... stay away from MS until you have a full grasp on how to write programs.

[Nosferatu]

Originally Posted by ShiningArcanine

Microsoft should be teaching people to write C++ without managed code before they teach them to write C# with managed code. C++ is superior in terms of what you can do; for example, you can have less bloated applications with C++.

If anything, then learning should start with plain old C.
But actually C# is a good start.
Well, anything goes, just as long it's not pascal or VB.

[bigtabs]

ZX Basic FTW

However if you want to learn OOP, I'd go with Java.

[MrBrett85]

Java sucks balls. If you try to write any kind of large application it's just sooo slow and memory intensive.

C# is looking to be a much better language, if only for the performance benefits.

[bigtabs]

lol, I know the limitations of Java.. but the point I was making was that if you want to learn OOP, then Java is very good for that. The language lends itself to beginners.

This thread is about learning coding, not writing massive applications.

[seeker010]

java is great for learning oop because it's so limited you have to do everything right.

C++ is more flexible, but sometimes it's too flexible and lets you get away with things that you shouldn't be able to.

[1stFlight]

While I haven't signed up for the program (I do intend to) I have to say that this is a good thing. Bring more programmers into the arena will give them opportunities to try the more intimidating languages. Very few people have self taught themselves C, and C++ and anything that helps break that barrier is a GOOD thing.

Microsoft.

[Anteuz]

Yes I have found Java to be great language to learn coding and principles of OOP. Nice thing about J is that syntax is so sugary-sweet and easy to learn. So it's pretty much noob friendly as it goes.
Nowadays I only find it reasonable for web-applications like my blog, which is coded in java. For the obvious reasons, high memory print of JVM, slowness etc.
I too intend to check out what Microsoft offers to us, it can't hurt to learn little bit of C#, no can it?

[Alientank]

I tried programming. Worst mistake ever. I can't for the life of me.

[SubCog]

good for m$. I'll be taking advantage of these tutorials.

[Anteuz]

Originally Posted by Alientank

I tried programming. Worst mistake ever. I can't for the life of me.

I tried it too, now I practically have no life But there are perks too, like "how can you kill someone who has no-life" or something on those lines.

[Riou]

Originally Posted by Anteuz

I tried it too, now I practically have no life But there are perks too, like "how can you kill someone who has no-life" or something on those lines.

South Park reference eh?

I think JAVA is good as a beginner language to learn OOP. C++ was more anal to learn than JAVA for me. I am just glad I do not have to program for a living anymore because I was not the best programmer.