Direction for progressing with learning to program

[hinton123]

First of all, I am a complete beginner to programming, I started about 2 weeks ago.. (not a scooby on what a variable, loop or if statement was). I have progressed a little where i have managed to make a simple program which incorporates, using windows, storing and searching for data using hashing, using loops, if, select case statements ect. Also, I managed to write a Bubble sort Algorithm from scratch. This is all very basic to you guys but I'm in my honeymoon phase where i feel like a wizard and I'm loving it LOL!

At the moment I’m reading through ‘Beginning Programming for Dummies v3’ which is doing a great job of getting my head around the basic concepts/principals of functional programming using Liberty BASIC. Here is my current plan for learning how to code so far and my reasons why (3 – 6 month plan):



1. Read Beginning Programming for Dummies (I’m creating mini programs to help sink everything in too)– Very basic to get my teeth into programming without burning out and feeling overwhelmed

2. Sort out all my notes from reading the book – Digest what I have learnt further

3. Plan and develop a program which uses most aspects of what I have learnt from the above book – My first real feel for taking off the stabilizer wheels and learn by doing (DONE)
4. Read Java Head First – Because ‘Beginning Programming for Dummies’ advised to read it after, also would get my teeth into OOP

5. Complete The Odin Project – A full fat end to end project to tackle now that I have a little experience and studied the fundamentals so hopefully shouldn’t be too overwhelming?



As you guys can probably understand, I have very little direction at the moment for what’s best to learn whilst starting out. What is your thoughts on this plan? Would you recommend I tackle it in a different way I.e. complete the Odin Project before reading another book? Do you know of any books which you think may be better than ‘Java Head First’ ? Any other recommendations and yeah just your general thoughts 😊

At the moment, I don't really feel like I'm learning to code for a career. I started to learn because it interests me, it suits my logical and problem solving nature. Once i have a bit more experience, i would like to build a cross platform mobile app  

I'm interested to see what you guys think!  

TIA

[Carl Gundel]

Feb 12, 2021 8:35:39 GMT -5 hinton123 said:

First of all, I am a complete beginner to programming, I started about 2 weeks ago.. (not a scooby on what a variable, loop or if statement was). I have progressed a little where i have managed to make a simple program which incorporates, using windows, storing and searching for data using hashing, using loops, if, select case statements ect. Also, I managed to write a Bubble sort Algorithm from scratch. This is all very basic to you guys but I'm in my honeymoon phase where i feel like a wizard and I'm loving it LOL!

At the moment I’m reading through ‘Beginning Programming for Dummies v3’ which is doing a great job of getting my head around the basic concepts/principals of functional programming using Liberty BASIC. Here is my current plan for learning how to code so far and my reasons why (3 – 6 month plan):



1. Read Beginning Programming for Dummies (I’m creating mini programs to help sink everything in too)– Very basic to get my teeth into programming without burning out and feeling overwhelmed

2. Sort out all my notes from reading the book – Digest what I have learnt further

3. Plan and develop a program which uses most aspects of what I have learnt from the above book – My first real feel for taking off the stabilizer wheels and learn by doing (DONE)
4. Read Java Head First – Because ‘Beginning Programming for Dummies’ advised to read it after, also would get my teeth into OOP

5. Complete The Odin Project – A full fat end to end project to tackle now that I have a little experience and studied the fundamentals so hopefully shouldn’t be too overwhelming?



As you guys can probably understand, I have very little direction at the moment for what’s best to learn whilst starting out. What is your thoughts on this plan? Would you recommend I tackle it in a different way I.e. complete the Odin Project before reading another book? Do you know of any books which you think may be better than ‘Java Head First’ ? Any other recommendations and yeah just your general thoughts 😊

At the moment, I don't really feel like I'm learning to code for a career. I started to learn because it interests me, it suits my logical and problem solving nature. Once i have a bit more experience, i would like to build a cross platform mobile app  

I'm interested to see what you guys think!  

TIA

Hi and welcome!  Should we call you Matthew?

Having completed the dummies book, I'm betting you haven't even begun to exhaust the possibilities of Liberty BASIC.  I would say that you should stick around here for a while longer.  Get involved in the some of the discussions here.  Perhaps have a look at the Rosetta Code site and try to contribute there.

What is the Odin project?

If you really want to learn Java don't let anyone stop you, but really Java is a very heavyweight and over formalized language and if you're not planning to become a pro developer you probably won't benefit much from it.  Java is a lot of work, and I speak from 7 years of full time Java experience.  I would recommend learning something more fun like Ruby, or Smalltalk, or even Forth.  Javascript is also an interesting language, and it's nothing like Java.

-Carl

[Brandon Parker]

www.theodinproject.com/


{:0)

Brandon Parker

[hinton123]

Hi Carl,

Wait..? I don't have my first name on this forum do I??

Ok, do you know of any more books on Liberty BASIC which could take me further with the language?

Thanks

[tsh73]

I don't have my first name on this forum do I??

LOL
No mind-reading involved - there is your e-mail address visible on a forum

[tsh73]

Ok, do you know of any more books on Liberty BASIC which could take me further with the language?

There is a limits LB can bring you as a LANGUAGE
However PROGRAMMING you'll master will stay with you for other languages.
(just don't forget LB is NOT "the only" programming language
- actually people still did not found "the best and only programming language",
that's why there are so much languages around.)

If you want more mastering of LB, do program.
if you want to get more insights - read other people programs (for LB, here on forum).
If you want to make your programs better - post them and ask for feedback.

[hinton123]

Feb 13, 2021 9:07:41 GMT -5 tsh73 said:

I don't have my first name on this forum do I??

LOL
No mind-reading involved - there is your e-mail address visible on a forum

Ahh.. of course *facepalm*. Thanks for the info, that's helpful

[Carl Gundel]

Feb 13, 2021 9:56:57 GMT -5 hinton123 said:

Feb 13, 2021 9:07:41 GMT -5 tsh73 said:

LOL
No mind-reading involved - there is your e-mail address visible on a forum

Ahh.. of course *facepalm*. Thanks for the info, that's helpful

Yes, your email address is in your user profile. 

[BeeTrap]

No one has mentioned Mr. Gundel's book.
Get yourself a copy!!!!