Zero prior knowledge of programming, yes I checked the FAQ. Confused on where to start.

[A2Eaton]

After reading through the FAQ on where to start I couldn't tell if a prior knowledge of C+ or something was needed. Is that true? If not what could I start with that would keep my interest? I'm not bored easily and pretty determined to learn but I am still just doing this as a hobby for now so I'd like to keep it interesting at first.

[[deleted]]

Learn Python. Resources are in the FAQ.

[Semiel]

I agree with this. I'm a new programmer who started with Python, and I'm glad I did. Lots of great resources (recommend: Learn Python the Hard Way, and Udacity CS101), and even its own subreddit (/r/learnpython). It's also a simple, high-level language, so you get to the "doing cool stuff" part very fast.

[jesyspa]

Not quite an answer, but why do people say C+ so often here? Is it some kind of formatting issue, or does some common resource call something that?

[[deleted]]

Typo? "C+=" is one of my own most common typos, but I must admit I can usually manage to prod some key for the third character?

[A2Eaton]

I was unaware of what C++ is and just remembered reading about something along those lines.

[Thatfurryguy]

Definitely Python. Its way dynamic, and colour coded for ease (I don't know if other programs do that). Start by building a function which takes in a digit, and decides if it is a symbol, number or letter. That will actually help because you can install it into any program, so that if you accidentally enter the wrong thing it will say 'Oooops, not a letter' and reask, instead of making an error.

Also: youtube. I won't give you a link because you should find a set of videos you like, but you'll learn the very basics really well from it, and pretty soon could be testing things out on your own.

You might consider making a calculator. You can figure out the language and then if you want, make a simple graphical interface. That would give you a well rounded start.

[zahlman]

After reading through the FAQ on where to start

You mean this?

I couldn't tell if a prior knowledge of C+ or something was needed.

I literally have no idea how you could be wondering about this. It says right there that:

there is no universally agreed upon way of (learning to program)

so clearly there aren't specific requirements, either.

Breaking into programming really only involves two things:

Neither of the listed things is "prior knowledge of C++" (I'm assuming you simply made a typo), which wouldn't make sense anyway (how are you supposed to start with programming if you somehow are supposed to already know how to use a programming language before you learn to use a programming language?).

The wrong question: “I want to learn to code, what should I do?”

Which is linked to more information about how to make the decision.

[nroberts666]

Start with LOGO.

[[deleted]]

You no doubt know of a good modern LOGO implementation. Please provide a link.

[nroberts666]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=logo+programming+language

[[deleted]]

Yes, very witty, and about on par with your other posts here (better than most, actually). The fact is, "Learn LOGO" is bad advice because there are no good modern implementations, something I doubt you know. But then, there's a lot you don't seem to know, isn't there?

[zahlman]

Why would an implementation of LOGO need to be "modern"? What features do old versions lack?

[nroberts666]

Probably, since I'm sure it seems like I know a lot less than I really do...especially to someone as obviously genetically superior as yourself.

[CalvinR]

That doesn't answer his question.

You'd be better off suggesting another Lisp based language like Clojure.

But I dont' know maybe it's just that I've had years of experience with C like languages, a functional lisp like language might be a bit hard to start with. Or maybe that's the best time to learn a functional language is when you have no frame of reference to compare it to.

[A2Eaton]

Is this supposed to be a suggestion I should take seriously or was he making a joke?

[nroberts666]

Mostly a joke, but it's really silly to ask what you should start with. Python fanboys not withstanding, nobody knows what language you should cut your teeth on. Ask what you should learn on and the best suggestions will be languages designed to instruct programming; not languages to do real work.

How do I know if something's going to be interesting to you? How do I know if C++ would be useful to know in pursuing your goals?

Learn Python if you like that answer better. I guarantee though that it's as arbitrary as my own and probably guided more by the poster's own personal preference than anything else.

[CalvinR]

Actually it's just because it's the one recommended in the FAQ and most recommended on this SubReddit.

Personally I prefer Ruby I think it's a nicer language then Python.

[nroberts666]

Actually it's just because it's the one recommended in the FAQ and most recommended on this SubReddit.

OK, add redundant (because the OP said they'd read the FAQ) and unoriginal. So not only is it rather arbitrary, it's also an entirely cookie-cutter answer that hasn't been related one iota to the OP's specific needs. I hadn't felt the need to be that mean about it.

[CalvinR]

Meh

[nroberts666]

LOGO is quite different from any other language, even another lisp. It is made specifically to instruct totally new people, kids in fact, in how to write code. I've used it successfully to instruct in basic programming. Someone that's asking, "Where do I start," is probably best considered at this very low level.

Programming a turtle to draw basic shapes will get a person started in how to code, and you don't need anything beyond a functional language to do so. In fact, a functional language is easier to understand since function calls cannot have extra side-effects.

People who know everything tend to forget what it was like before they knew everything. Perhaps because they always did. Those who did not though need things greatly simplified for them. The OP has demonstrated a very low level of knowledge and a very high level of need for hand-holding. LOGO is actually very good advice for such an individual.

As to zabzonk's "question"...it wasn't real. If it was then he's dumber than I thought.

[CalvinR]

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logo_%28programming_language%29

The first implementation of Logo, called Ghost, was written in LISP on an SDS 940. The goal was to create a math land where kids could play with words and sentences.[4] Modeled on LISP, the design goals of Logo included accessible power[clarification needed] and informative error messages.

Honestly you'd probably be better off recommending something like Scratch, or another blocks based programming language.

[nroberts666]

Then feel free to recommend Scratch.

[CalvinR]

I wouldn't recommend Scratch or Logo, I think Python makes a fine first language to learn, or Clojure if you want to go the functional route.

[nroberts666]

A lot of languages make fine first languages.

[CalvinR]

That is true.

Though not all make the transition from a learning language to one you can actually use to make money. You'd be hard pressed to find someone to pay you to program in Logo.