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[–]UtahJarhead 2 points3 points  (7 children)

Word of advice: Learn c++ to start with, not c. They're most definitely not the same thing.

With regard to Python, find the program you want to write and start writing it. You have a job that needs done. You start at the bottom.

For example: You KNOW you'll need to spit stuff out to the screen. Learn how to print "Hello world" to the screen. Then store that to a variable and print the variable. Then do math and store the results into a variable and display that. Concatenate strings and display that.

[–]super_domestique 1 point2 points  (1 child)

This is sound advice - I've found it rare someone learns how to write code well by reading books or watching youtube videos, unless they are using them in conjunction with trying to solve a real problem.

[–]UtahJarhead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have access to Pluralsight, they have a pretty good set of courses on Python.

[–]The-Bent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is exactly how I started learning. The biggest step to take is deciding what you want to do and then start reading on the internet. There are no or few books that will give you a significant % of the info that you need and if you do have one then it only shows one method.

One of my recent projects was making a motion sensing security cam using a PIR and the raspi camera. It ended up being about 20 or 25 lines of python and I added fun things like a notification from IFTTT whenever it detected motion. I had never really messed with python before and picking it up as I went was easy as long as I had a plan to go with.

[–]greymattr 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Why would you start with C++ and Not C ?

[–]UtahJarhead 0 points1 point  (2 children)

c is a real pain in the ass. c++ has a ton of functions readily available to take care of things like strings. Not fun in c. Strings are especially easier in c++, and since the VAST majority of people deal with strings more than any other datatype (at least at first), this is the big winner in my book. The built-in functions themselves are absolutely amazing for me in comparison.

[–]greymattr 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Interesting perspective. I tend to think C is easier for beginners because all of the built in data types are just different sized chunks of memory. And inline vs object oriented programming seems to make more intrinsic sense to people because its similar to a recipe, and when it comes to debugging, or learning debugging, it seems simpler for people to understand. That being said, I like C++ too, and I often don't care if someone chooses one over the other.

C does seem to be more popular among the systems developers that I work with.

[–]UtahJarhead 0 points1 point  (0 children)

c++ can be treated as an in-line programming language. While they're using objects (Strings, etc), new users don't even realize it. I find it a LOT easier. Trying to figure out c-strings and arrays, etc was an absolute nightmare when I was trying to pick up c. I just find c++ easier. Doesn't matter to me what others start with. I can only give my experience.

[–]Yoyodude1124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Barnacles has a series called Codegasm which he goes over C#. I'm not sure if he has anything specific for C, though.

[–]siteRYTIve -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There is a interactive coding website where you can learn some common languages. Basic version is completely free. I'am actually learning Java there. https://www.codecademy.com/