"Just BASIC" Questions. Recommendations, Please ?

Robert11 · 15 Mar 2016

Hello,

My son has just signed up for "Just Basic" course. (not Visual Basic)
He has never done any programming.

I talked him into this basic course, rather than starting out with Java or C, or Ruby, etc., as I thought with
absolutely no prior programming experience, this would be a good way to start, without being overwhelmed.
Hope so.

Anyway, would like to get him some supplementary books on BASIC.
There are apparently zillions of them. Hard to make a choice for me.

Might anyone please recommend a few "really good" ones in their opinion for someone just
starting out in programming/BASIC ?

(any other thoughts on would be most welcome)

Much thanks,
Bob

Mellon Head · 15 Mar 2016

I can't recommend a good book on BASIC as I haven't programmed with it in over 30 years, but I can tell you a great way that your son can practice with the language and be able to retain it better. Depending on his age, he can create simple games with BASIC. Creating games gives you a purpose for using the language, and reinforces key concepts. They can be as sophisticated as he likes.

This is the method that I use to learn new languages. I've taught myself BASIC, C, C++, C#, Java, and Ruby all by making silly little games. It's fun and really helps you learn the language quickly because you're programming with a purpose, even if it is a trivial game. A couple of good reference books on BASIC and some game programming and he'll be hooked on programming forever.

Next stop: C++!! :)

GokAy · 19 Mar 2016

If he has done no programming, start with "Hello World" and move to what is an algorithm ;P
https://www.topcoder.com/community/d...of-algorithms/

Not a programmer by the way, just some BASIC on the AMSTRAD CPC6128 30 years ago, Fortran77 in Uni, and fair share of Excel VBA.

wasnotwas · 19 Mar 2016

Does anyone use BASIC nowadays? It's a bit like learning about computers by starting with DOS.

Python seems quite popular - I've just started learning it. The Python compiler is free from

https://www.python.org/

and I use PyCharm GUI front-end to develope my code - there's a free Community version

https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/

I kicked off with this tutorial on YouTube. I know I'm not answering the OP's question re BASIC, but the above info might help would-be programmers.

edit - I just did a search for most popular programming languages. The answers varied, but it seems to be a toss-up between Java and Python eg

Most Popular Computer Languages 2015

they all agreed on one thing - BASIC wasn't mentioned.

Mellon Head · 19 Mar 2016

wasnotwas said:

Does anyone use BASIC nowadays? It's a bit like learning about computers by starting with DOS.

Python seems quite popular - I've just started learning it. The Python compiler is free from

https://www.python.org/

and I use PyCharm GUI front-end to develope my code - there's a free Community version

https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/

I kicked off with this tutorial on YouTube. I know I'm not answering the OP's question re BASIC, but the above info might help would-be programmers.

edit - I just did a search for most popular programming languages. The answers varied, but it seems to be a toss-up between Java and Python eg

Most Popular Computer Languages 2015

they all agreed on one thing - BASIC wasn't mentioned.

Agreed, BASIC isn't the optimal language to learn, but it is a good way to ease into programming.

Java and Python are powerful languages, but the quirky syntax might be offputting for new programmers, particularly Python's use of white space. Since they are both loosely derived from C, it might be better for the OP's son to begin with C, so he can progress to more powerful and popular languages with a minimum of relearning. He'll know what a function is, what a pointer is, and how to break programs up into functional blocks. Things he'll need to know for higher level languages.

wasnotwas · 19 Mar 2016

I find Python's use of white space (aka indents) to delineate code blocks one of its better features - much better than the old-style curly brace method. That, coupled with PyCharm's color coding for keywords etc makes Python code very readable.

I started on Python for my Cinema 4D stuff. C4D already has node-based, visual programming called XPresso, but I needed more complexity, and Python is supported in C4D.

Mellon Head · 19 Mar 2016

wasnotwas said:

I find Python's use of white space (aka indents) to delineate code blocks one of its better features - much better than the old-style curly brace method. That, coupled with PyCharm's color coding for keywords etc makes Python code very readable.

White space for indents is very readable, but it can be very difficult to work with as a new developer unless you have the right editor, especially one that shows white space as tabs or spaces. I have found some compilers that will accept a tab as white space, but not a space character. That can be baffling for a new beginner (was to me at first).

All in all though, I agree, Python is a good language to learn. but it has some quirks. I just don't think it's a good language to learn first.

Just my opinion, mind you. :)