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[Jade Knight 08]

I want to learn to do some computer programming stuff. ) So, I went out and bought me two books called " C for dummies vol: 1 & 2" by Dan Gookin. It didn't come with a compiler which i didn't know. (BOOOO!)

Now, there are some tools or softwares i don't have right now which is:

1. a compiler (example Borland C++ version 3.1 or higher, Microsoft compiler version ???)
2. text editor (example- DOS's Edit program, QEdit, or came with C programming Package)

The author said in this book he tested this stuff was "Borland C++ version 3.1


So, my questions is where can i get or find the compiler and text editor program at?
Or i'm better off learning another language like Visual Basic.. which cost over $100 ( can't afford it).

Thanks for replying!!!!

 

[dog$]

Free compilers for a few base languages (C++, Java) are easy to find, and the only editor you really need (for basic stuff at least) is Notepad. You really should also look into installing IIS on your machine and start making ASP pages (especially since ASP's default scripting language is VB, so there's a way to do VB stuff for free), and all of the languages mentioned have tons of free tutorial support out there.

w3schools is your friend.

And "once you learn a programming language, you learn them all". Sure there's syntax differences but (to an extent) they all do the same things. The only way you'll be able to discern the true differences of each language's architecture is once you get really comfortable with programming, anyway.

 

[Dyne]

"C for dummies vol: 1 & 2"

Just C? Or C++? Or C#?

http://www.bloodshed.net

Hands down, Dev-C++ is the best C++ compiler out there. And it's free. Borland can go die somewhere alone. In my high school we were using it until I suggested Dev--and we NEVER went back to Borland.

P.S. Once you learn assembler all other languages suck. [evil laugh]

 

[Shompola]

search for some compiler based on gcc.

edit/ text-editor, I would use emacs.

Too bad you can't use eclipse. I think eclipse doesn't support c/c++ yet but I could be wrong.

 

[PartlyCloudlike]

Eclipse supports C/C++ but you have to install CDT.
Here: http://www.eclipse.org/cdt/

 

[Lathentar]

I'd recommend learning Java first and using the Eclipse IDE. I recommend this for a number of reasons.

1. Documentation is fantastic and in a single place (java.sun.com)
2. Easy to install compiler
3. Numerous free, fantastic IDEs (Eclipse being my favorite)
4. I feel that its an easier language to learn if you're just starting programming.

 

[Ecrofirt]

I'd recommend learning Java first and using the Eclipse IDE. I recommend this for a number of reasons.

1. Documentation is fantastic and in a single place (java.sun.com)
2. Easy to install compiler
3. Numerous free, fantastic IDEs (Eclipse being my favorite)
4. I feel that its an easier language to learn if you're just starting programming.

I really like the Sun One Studie IDE. It's the best one I've come across so far.

 

[Dyne]

I really like the Sun One Studie IDE. It's the best one I've come across so far.

Yeah, that is a good one.

I prefer C++ over Java because Java can get pretty wordy.

I bought a Java book for $2 at a clearance sale and learned it from that. Best $2 I ever spent.

 

[fart]

maharg really likes these books as a "first step" in high level languages

http://www.mindview.net/Books/TICPP/ThinkingInCPP2e.html

plus, they're free, how great is that?

my personal favorite (because it's how i started) is a copy of kernigham and ritchie's "the C programming language", and a relatively barebones compiler (eg, borland c 2.x)

whatever you do though, have fun.

 

[Chony]

All I know is Java .

 

[fart]

I'd recommend learning Java first and using the Eclipse IDE. I recommend this for a number of reasons.

1. Documentation is fantastic and in a single place (java.sun.com)
2. Easy to install compiler
3. Numerous free, fantastic IDEs (Eclipse being my favorite)
4. I feel that its an easier language to learn if you're just starting programming.

there's no question it's a great teaching language.

 

[NotMSRP]

Since you're a total newbie to programming, I recommend this book. It's unusual approach will make learning Java quite easy. You should start on a higher-level language like Java before tackling a lower-level language like C. One of the most confusing parts about learning C is dealing with pointers and memory management. Java is preferred because it hides a lot of details from the programmer.