Any self-taught software writers out there?

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Hi,

I have decided that it is about time that I embrace technology. I enjoy logic, maths and physics but know very little about computers. I would like to know if there is anyone out there who has knowledge of resources online that can lead me in the right direction.

I have found a good website that teaches kids how to write software programs so I am going to have a look at that as a starting point, as I am a complete newbie.

ANY stuff you guys can impart would be most appreciated.......please be kind if I ask silly questions. I am a very curious person and ask a lot of things.

I am not ready to invest in books just yet. i just want to see how I go with the basics........I have learn't of some of the different languages used.....Linux(offshoot from the kernal, UNIX...is that right?), C, C+++ and Pearl....(PLEASE correct me if I am wrong)

First question, are these languages generally referred to as SOURCE CODE?

Second question, what is the difference with the languages used for operating systems and software programming.(please specify the difference between "hardware"(operating system?) and "Software"......I assume that the "interpreter" is in the operating system to read the language from the software.......I just started styding this last night, so bear with me

Thanks everyone in advance for your time and patience.

Mics

1) Linux and unix aren't languages, they're types of operating systems, just like like Windows or Mac OS.

2) "Source code" is the actual written program. Source code is usually (not always) compiled into a binary, which you execute. Your web browser is an example of a compiled binary.

3) Most operating systems are written in C and/or C++ ... because the binaries generate from those languages are able to run faster than binaries derived from other languages (that's the quick explanation anyway). Many other programs, including most games, are also written C and C++, so there isn't really a clear divide between languages used to write an operating system, and languages used to write smaller applications. It all depends on what you want to do. A programming language is like a tool - you use the best one to get the job done.

Don't be afraid to ask questions - everyone has to start somewhere. I'm self taught, and I ended up working as a coder, and all-in-all, it's been great for me. I don't know what I'd be doing otherwise - probably being a bum

I'm a self-taught programmer, though I haven't really gotten around to any software stuff, mostly just website design, databases, and Unix scripting. Planning to go into C sometime soon though.

Yup?



www.python.org and www.processing.org are both good ways to start. They work on Apple, Linux or Microsoft operating systems.



Go for it. We enjoy it.



OSX is an apple, windows is meat and potatoes, and Linux is a peach. Sorry.

C, C++ and perl(no a) are programming languages. Linux and UNIX (and OSX too) are operating systems, akin to the assemblage known as windows. Programming languages are grammar systems used to write recipes to control aspects of operating systems, and thus, computers. Programs are the recipe applied to the computer, which is why they are also called applications.

You can think of programming languages as a cook book for recording the steps for a meal. The computer is the oven in which it is prepared, and the operating system is the presentation of the meal. Thus the style of computer requires differences in the cooking, like a gas grill or a barbeque. So too do languages vary(a little) between OSX, windows and linux.



Source code is like the musical notation of a song to be played. The languages are like the systems used to make copies of how to express the music, like how guitar tablature is different from how drum music is written. Humans apply the instructions to hardware(mouse, monitor, speakers, and all the computer). in the form of a compiled program, which is what the computer understands best. The computer then interprets the instructions and out pours the music.

What a great post!

Programming is programming is programming, regardless of the specific language you use to do the programming. Anything that can be done in one language can usually be done in another language.

If you're just learning the basics of writing code, I'd suggest perhaps looking in to PHP. It's not a "compiled" language, but a scripting language, meaning the code is never compiled into a binary and executed.

Instead, PHP is used mostly to create dynamic web pages, meaning PHP code is embedded into a web page, and the web server reads the instructions, and executes them as it's sending your browser the web page for display.

The reason I suggest PHP is that because its output is usually on a web page, you can tinker with the code in one window, and have the results appear in your browser as soon as you hit refresh. It makes for a very rapid learning process. It's also open-source and free to download and use. There are also pre-bundled setups you can download that will install PHP, the Apache web server, and the MySQL database all ready to go. Google "xampp" if you're interested in this.

Good luck to you!

I am self taught in most areas of computing including programming. I have written modifications for operating systems as well as programs that I use for personal purposes.

i am a self taught software writer im 12 believe it or not 1 day i just sat down and started wrtiting ive kind of got the hang of it although binary ect ect is a little hard to learn and understand

I am self taught, and have written all kinds of software ranging from simple web site applications to enterprise business and accounting.

I would have to say a good language / environment to start with would be Flex/Actionscript, and if you want to do some simple web app stuff, PHP.

ColdFusion is nice for web apps, but that would be a little tougher to get going.

You can download XAMPP and it will install PHP, Apache and mySQL for you.

You can get a trial of FlexBuilder -- well, now FlashBuilder 4.

I prefer C, C++, and Java. I even use C and C++ for cgi (web sever scripting) programming. I am open to learning action script, though

Alice is a fun starter programming language. You learn by making 3D animations. The specific purpose of Alice is to teach programming, so it is a good starter. There are a couple more I played with but cant remember the names.

I cant agree with php. Its a mess.

Processing has a "run" button and you get near instant results, and there are dozens of mini programs as examples. Its aimed at visual and artistic beginners. It is its own little integrated development environment.

Ruby and Python are good ones to start on.

I'd actually suggest messing around with Javascript, since you don't need to download a thing to run it; the browser that you use to browse wrongplanet will be happy to run your Javascript. Its not a bad language for beginners. You'll learn the control structures and data-types that are common to most widely-used languages. Also, if you are interested in doing web development, knowledge of Javascript is mandatory.

When you're ready to get serious, then read this: http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html. It won't get you a job, but it will teach you how to conjure the spirits of the computer with your spells.

I'm a musician with a master's degree in composition with emphasis on electroacoustic music.

Most composers with my background do a lot of work with music programming languages like C Sound, Supercollider, and visual programming languages like PD (PureData), the object-oriented sound-generation/scheduling package Max/MSP. Still others use NI's Reaktor to create their own synth plugins and effects.

I'm sadly not gifted to be in computer music as much as others in that field. I'd love to learn it. PD is free software, and I can't get so much as a sine wave out of it! What I do instead is synth programming, sound design, and that sort of thing using software and writing programs for an old Akai sampler I bought off Ebay. I'm a big user of the Reason soft synths Thor and NN-XT, NI's Absynth, and Mainstage (plug-in host/MIDI router/loop player/audio processor for live performance). I'm interested in hearing from REAL programmers who use computer language to generate sound and music (any style, even Techno/IDM or other electronic dance styles as well as more "scholarly" music).

I also think it would be cool to write an application to generate MIDI data. Way back when I was writing my master's thesis when I came up with my own way of automating the generation of musical processes by combining different musical parameters. I set this up by using a spreadsheet program to show all the possible combinations, entered the data into a sequencer event list, and used Finale to transcribe the data into a written score playable by a chamber orchestra combined with an electronic score (for fun, I used a quadraphonic tape reel for playback). I would LOVE to collaborate with a computer programmer to develop a custom app that would take MIDI data, note data, of course, but also control change (CC) information and export the data to a standard MIDI file. Any takers?

If ya like, send me a PM and we'll get down to specifics. The way in which parameter values are calculated is VERY simple. But then again, nothing like this is simple for someone with no CLUE about programming!

No not really, am learning a bit but know nothing more than basic scripting.

I am retired now and I am doing mostly recording technical books for blind folks, some applied math and studying physics. When I was working I did software development, test and applied mathematics. I started in the business in 1959 before there were any Computer Science courses in the universities and I was out working for a living anyway. So all my software skills were acquired OJT and self-taught.

I worked in several languages (I started with FORTRAN) and I picked up Object Orient Programming by self teaching. My favorite OOL was (and is) Java. My favorite script wring language was (and is) PERL.

My passion is (and always was) mathematics.

ruveyn