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Official Programming/Writing Code Thread

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DayMan
Posts: 4702 - Karma: 8,727
Since I recently broke my arm and I'm now out for the summer, I decided I'm going to start learning how to program/write code. My cousin is a successful programmer living in California and is helping me along the way, and I am really enjoying what I've been learning so far even though all I've been doing so far is some HTML stuff. So anyways, I figured there had to be some other people on here who do this kind of stuff, and I figured I could make a thread where any question you have about programming could be asked, and hopefully answered by other people on the site. Also post any cool news or new cool, interesting, programming-related articles on there. I don't have any particular questions or cool articles at the moment, but I'm sure some of you out there do. GO!
Jun 19 2012 10:12PM
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DayMan
Posts: 4702 - Karma: 8,727
Hey everyone, I'm starting a class on Coursera called An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python. It just started today, it's hosted by Rice University, and it's free, and if anyone is interested in it, you should really take it. Plus it would be sweet for me to have someone to talk to about the course and whatnot. No, you don't get any sort of credit, but if you are still in high school the certificate of completion you get for it will look good on a college resume, and it will be fun :D. Seriously though, PM me about it if you are interested, I'll try to give you as many details as possible.
Oct 16 2012 1:00AM
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aaronec
Posts: 37 - Karma: 148
If you're just doing it as a hobby or to goof around, I suggest learning BASIC. It's super simple but is capable of a lot of more advanced stuff. Plus the knowledge carries over nicely to Java or HTML. That's what I learned on.
Oct 17 2012 12:50PM
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Ski_The_E
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 944
I've considered starting programming but it seems really hard. Is there any website that can teach a beginner how to program?
Oct 17 2012 2:48PM
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DayMan
Posts: 4702 - Karma: 8,727
I started with Team Treehouse, it is 25 dollars a month unless you contact them with your student info and then they have a student deal for 9 dollars a month. They are really good because they teach you from the ground up, like I had no knowledge of programming before I started, and they helped a ton. If you can't manage to pay for that, or get your parents to pay for that, try codeacademy.com. It is free, but doesn't teach you as well as Team Treehouse, and sort of leaves the learning up to you and you sort of have to teach yourself. Feel free to PM me for any questions you have. I actually encourage you to PM me, because I like talking to people about this stuff :) (Disclaimer: I am in no way even remotely close to being "good" at programming, I am just starting as well, but I feel like I can help you in the starting process) Good luck!
Oct 17 2012 11:48PM
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Ski_The_E
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 944
I started this and it has been very helpful thanks!
Oct 18 2012 10:00PM
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YoursAndMind
Posts: 335 - Karma: 31
Does anyone on here have any real life experience in terms of coding for websites? I have a new idea for a site that I need to talk to a programmer about.
Oct 18 2012 10:03PM
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andybob
Posts: 474 - Karma: 35
Really don't have too much computer knowledge other than your basic bs. My dad is a computer wiz and got into them back when programming was done with punch cards. Now he programs in a few different languages (I have no idea as to what) and has been pretty successful at it.

I never saw myself to be like my father but a little over 3 months ago I got a job at a phone company. Basically I do a lot of the behind the scenes programming and records keeping. I've learned to program 5 different switch lanquages (DMS10, DMS100, DCO, GTD5, and 5ESS). The switch is where your number comes out of. This programming is for telephone only.

On top of that there is also the programming that we have to do for High Speed Internet (HSI). In the equipment we use there is a "port" that a specific customer uses and we have to provision their port speed based on a few different factors. We use a variety of different equipment (Calix, Adtran-there are about 6 types of Adtrans, and Alcatels) and like the phone switches they are all different.

Its a pretty interesting job. I don't think the normal person knows what goes into getting them phone service. Its a whole world I never knew existed. lol

While this isn't programming like html or whatever, I felt like posting about it as I don't really have any nerdy friends that can relate to learning programming.
Oct 18 2012 10:21PM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
I wrote a code to turn on lights using RedPower 2 in Tekkit. /minorclaim
Oct 18 2012 11:22PM
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Erica.
Posts: 327 - Karma: 299
This is how it is for me with the majority of my classes this semester

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Dec 2 2012 1:11AM
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Hammyslapwagon
Posts: 1261 - Karma: 1,409
Almost completed a semester of learning python.  So far it's my favorite course out of all the ones I have taken.  Already signed up for the next level course.
Dec 2 2012 1:15AM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
Currently learning c#/writing a kinect program
Dec 2 2012 1:18AM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
very false... If you want to really make the big bucks then you need to focus on software engineering/multi-platform application development. Platformed PHP solutions like wordpress and drupal are great for simple content based websites but they will never be able for more complex and demanding requirements (that big $ companies request). Scripting languages like PHP and javascript are much easier for to learn and develop thus there is a large saturation of programmers for other counties (although most people writing js and PHP hardly even understand the language). Plus Front-End Development is simple, more forgiving and doesn't require any formal training to learn (one of the front end developers at my old company went to school for accounting).

My recommendations: Take as many software engineering and patterns courses as you can. What you learn here will transfer across any language you end up working in. (designing systems is way for fun than actually coding them anyways, Think architect vs construction worker).

Become an expert in Java or C# and learn how to design/work with Relational Databases(start with mysql or postregsql).




Mar 30 2013 6:32PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
Good bump^

Started working on a calculator with voice recognition for the Kinect a few days ago and finished it yesterday. Unfortunately, it can only do the 4 basic operations right now,and can only do 1 operation at a time. I'm trying to figure out how to add a square root and squared operation, but it's difficult with how I set the code up.

Mar 30 2013 7:05PM
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Guck
Posts: 528 - Karma: 221
I'm in a beginner level programming class right now. I plan on getting an A. We're learning java and it's pretty cool. I know that Java is an object-oriented programming language, I'd like to learn a non object-oriented language. Does anybody know how much different they are and how difficult that would be?
Mar 30 2013 7:29PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
Check the table out, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_programming_paradigms

I can't answer your question since I have no real non-object oriented experience, but you should be able to answer your own question by taking a look at some of the different paradigms and their syntax.
Mar 30 2013 8:01PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,122
I plan to learn some python over the summer. Pretty much the most important thing for a non-programmer to learn these days.

mostly want to learn it so I can use this better

http://www.sagemath.org/
Mar 30 2013 8:10PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
Is anyone solving any projecteuler.net problems?
Mar 30 2013 8:35PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,000
I'm slowly teaching myself python, using code academy. it's awesome!
www.codecademy.com
Mar 30 2013 8:39PM
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extravert
Posts: 1112 - Karma: 3,174
thats how I learned html, great website
Mar 30 2013 9:08PM
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BikeMlatt69
Posts: 1947 - Karma: 60
http://www.programming-motherfucker.com

You're welcome noobs
Mar 31 2013 12:10AM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
Not sure if this is really the thread to post this in, but I would like to major in computer science, but I know next to nothing about programming, is it something that I need to learn now before fall starts if I want to not be screwed?
Mar 31 2013 12:18AM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
Where do you go to school and what year? In a sophomore and didn't start till last spring and I'm totally fine. Probably depends on your schools program though
Apr 8 2013 3:54AM
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Guck
Posts: 528 - Karma: 221
I would like some advice. I know the basics of Java, I hear that C++ is much more powerful though. Should I drop Java and start teaching myself C++? If so, how?
Apr 20 2013 1:27AM
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YoursAndMind
Posts: 335 - Karma: 31
I've been learning Ruby over the last couple of months. Just launched my first site, as basic as it is right now.

Love some feedback tho

Apr 20 2013 2:05AM
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
java is super useful. it's an industry-grade language and it's syntactically similar to c#, which is another industry-grade language. i started with java and it was hugely useful to have that baseline knowledge of programming in general. from there, it's not super hard to pick up new languages. i don't think there's really a good reason for you to drop java in favor of c++, but i'll let some other people weigh in too.
Apr 20 2013 2:43AM
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
it's pretty much guaranteed that they'll have some sort of introductory programming class, so my advice is to see what language it's in ahead of time, and if you have time, get started on it over the summer. This will help take some pressure off you for a few weeks when they're getting started in the class.
Apr 20 2013 2:49AM
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Kooky_Lukey
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,966
unbelievably true...
Apr 20 2013 3:34AM
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selkirks
Posts: 1978 - Karma: 59
Codecademy has been extremely helpful. I'm working my way through JavaScript right now; already have some basic HTML but the way they set everything out for you is very step-by-step and incredibly helpful.
Apr 20 2013 4:44AM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,000
So I bought a raspberry pi board last night, trying to think of some cool projects to do. Would be awesome to create an in car audio center, but right now I'm going to learn the simple basics of python and whatnot
Apr 23 2013 12:32PM
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Granby_killdozer
Posts: 2298 - Karma: -11,022
I'm having an issue getting my java code to compile. I keep getting an error message telling me that I'm trying to use a non-static method in a static context. I know that's probably a really broad error and I don't wan't to clutter the thread with my code. Could someone that's knowledgeable on java pm or skype me and help me get this sorted? I would really appreciate it.
Apr 24 2013 2:26AM
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Granby_killdozer
Posts: 2298 - Karma: -11,022
ps
It's early morning here and I probably won't be on for much longer, so I may need to do this tomorrow.
Apr 24 2013 2:29AM
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extravert
Posts: 1112 - Karma: 3,174
try making your method static. ie static void method(){...
Apr 24 2013 9:51AM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,000
neat
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Apr 26 2013 1:18PM
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feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,084
do you have a "real" purpose for it or are you just playing around? if so, what kind of stuff are you doing with it? saw your pic on fb and googled a bit but dont really know what this is about (except for the obvious style factor)
Apr 26 2013 3:45PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5674 - Karma: 4,227
Can somebody explain what this is? I see usb ports? And then a ton of lolwut.
Apr 26 2013 4:03PM
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THEpancakewoman
Posts: 57 - Karma: 660
Took a computer programming class last year and last semester in high school. I strongly disliked java, after a certain point it just gets fucking annoying. Python seems to start being used more anyways, even though it's not considered as strong.
Apr 26 2013 4:12PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,000
Just playing around.

To those that are all confused, it's an ARM board/mini computer called the raspberry pi. It's $35 and is great for learning to code on and use in little projects that require a small cpu.

Here's their site:
http://www.raspberrypi.org/

and info:
http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs
Click for larger image
Apr 26 2013 6:31PM
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Kooky_Lukey
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,966
This.

Or just make all your variables static so like instead of private blah; make it, private static blah;
Apr 26 2013 7:40PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
This isn't entirely programming related, but it's a hacking competition aimed towards people with little or no hacking skills: https://picoctf.com/

A couple of the challenges require Python or Java, but little is need to known to understand those challenges. Otherwise, the programs are more hacking/problem solving oriented.

Oh, and first place gets $20,000
Apr 26 2013 10:03PM
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406
Posts: 2302 - Karma: 92
sitting here about to finish my last lab in c programming. its linked lists and it is a bitch. I really enjoy the payoff once my code runs correctly tho.
Apr 27 2013 1:02AM
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.Capn.
Posts: 1454 - Karma: 152
Awesome! I'm using mine to stream the live feed from the ISS right now
Apr 27 2013 11:48AM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
Is it high school only?
Apr 27 2013 1:31PM
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Kooky_Lukey
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,966
MSU?

That lab is a bitch, i feel for you man. You have to make a shit ton of pointers cause C is stupid
Apr 27 2013 1:56PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
anyone can join, but unfortunately only highschool teams can win a prize.
Apr 27 2013 5:02PM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
Do Python and C. Then you will be covered with a scripting language and a serious non-object-oriented language.

Python is easy(er). Learn first. Do exercises to get it(syntax) into your head. Then move to C. From there, you can pick up C#, C++, or whatever tickles your pickle.

Look into Unity to do stuff. You can then use skills learned earlier (Python translates to Boo) and C# to program games, maybe even iPhone stuff.

Have fun.
Apr 27 2013 10:12PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
I disagree. I would say learn C++/C (and Obj-C if you want) and ruby/rails rather than python. people will pay tons rails developers these days
Apr 27 2013 10:19PM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
I am always hanging around the CS department and they love Python much more than RoR. Although, a language is a language, and learning one is better than none. Go for whatever works with you.
Apr 27 2013 10:33PM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
Or if you are looking into robotics, learning ROS and MATLAB is not a bad idea.
Apr 27 2013 10:33PM
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406
Posts: 2302 - Karma: 92
ya man, never ended up finishing it. I really enjoyed the class.
Apr 29 2013 1:01PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
true that. and scripting languages are more or less interchangable... i mostly just mentioned that cause I'm currently learning rails in a web dev class haha
May 1 2013 5:08AM
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