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if u spent 3 weeks and cant figure out how to copy 2 lines of code from a book i think programming might not be for you
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Make sure the programming language the book is teaching you can be compiled by whatever compiler you're using...
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On October 18 2011 10:53 petzergling wrote:
if u spent 3 weeks and cant figure out how to copy 2 lines of code from a book i think programming might not be for you
Dude that's what I keep telling myself. I've spent a good portion of my free time every day in the past weeks trying to figure it out. =_= I wouldn't dare post a blog about it unless I'm really really desperate.
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On October 18 2011 10:53 petzergling wrote:
if u spent 3 weeks and cant figure out how to copy 2 lines of code from a book i think programming might not be for you
To be fair, you're ignoring the start-up things even "experienced" people have trouble with like installing a compiler. Still, this may take 3 hours tops, not 3 weeks, so I'm compelled to agree with you. I would say it's not so much programming not being for him, as it is that he's just approaching it the worst way possible :/.
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First, you will need a compiler that will allow you to turn your programming syntax into something that the computer will understand.
Computer programs can be written in any text editor which you then pass into a compiler. However, since you are new at this, you'd probably have problems getting the compiling syntax correct.
Since you're working in C/C++, I would suggest that you download code::blocks. It is a FREE IDE that is specifically geared towards programming in C/C++.
What code::blocks will provide for you is an editor, a code/syntax highlighter, a compiling environment and a debugger all-in-one package.
After installing it, type in your source code, then compile it and finally run it all within code::blocks! Simple!
Let us know if you have more questions.
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When most people begin programming, the first thing they find is a good Integrated development environment (IDE). What this does is let you just click a button, and it'll compile the code for you. Depending on the IDE, and there are MANY!, it'll be as simple as saving the file with the right extension and pressing F9.
For example, I'll use an easy to set up IDE called Code::Blocks which does C and C++ from the get go.
You make a new empty file (SHIFT+CTRL+N usually).
Then write the code.
Save it as a .c file called test.c for example.
Press F9 to Build and Run. Run, not Debug. The options can be found under Build. What it's doing is compiling the code into something the computer can interpret; the job of the compiler. You'll notice a couple other files after Building, test.o, text.exe and text, don't worry about those.
And then it'll open the command prompt and should show you, "Hello World!".
From there, you can explore the other areas of the language.
After a while, it'll be nice to learn how to use the Debugger, but for simple programs it's unnecessary. But in general, you'll need to create a project file in any IDE you use to Debug.
More experienced people don't like IDEs for some odd reason and prefer to code in plain notepad, or notepad++, and then using Cygwin and the compiler they've installed, compile the code. The difference is all preference, there is no "better method." An IDE simply gets rid of all the "background" work and let you focus on the code while providing nice benefits, like automatically finishing brackets, keeping track of your functions, and the like.
Using Cygwin means you need at least rudimentary knowledge of how to work around in the environment, which is unnecessarily complicated for beginners. I've found the main benefit so is being able to work with different files, where you can use an input file and direct it as input into your program file. But that's really unnecessary for beginners. Also, you get a lot more "nerd cred."
Of course, this is based off my very limited knowledge. I'm sure more experienced people can explain it better and more thoroughly.
EDIT: Also, programming is CODING, meaning you have to write and make and rework code. If you're dragging boxes, you're not programming.
And I'll also recommend Python with Wing IDE since it's really easy to start.
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Compilers can be unforgiving, but they typically tell you specifically what is wrong with your source code.
Some recommendations for a noobie:
(1) Don't start with C/C++ unless you have a previous background in computer architecture and are familiar with low-level concepts. Start with something simple and friendly (and non-compiled) like Python.
(2) Don't use Visual Foo WYSIWYGs, for all Foo. Programming is about expressing computer instructions in a language, not drag-and-drop (even though some IDEs will simplify a lot of common tasks). Some languages have picky syntax, others are very liberal, but programming comes down to learning the textual vocabulary, grammar, and syntax required to express your program to a computer. Some languages are more intuitive to human readers than others. For example, many languages do not require you to end commands with a semicolon, and it can seem like an arbitrary design choice in hindsight. Some languages excel at expressing abstract concepts in a concise manner, but are difficult to pick up (e.g. Haskell).
(3) TL has a thread for these kinds of discussions and general (non-debugging) support & advice.
+ Show Spoiler +Remove the 'void' (it's superfluous, and should name an argument unless it's part of a function declaration (in which case the name is optional)) and place a semicolon after your return statement.
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print("I recommend Python, unless you have a reason for choosing C. Do you?")
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like others have said, C/C++ is tough to get if you are completely new, but once you get it then the other languages like Java will be a total breeze. Maybe you should try something that's easier for beginners like Python or Java.
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On October 18 2011 11:14 GigaFlop wrote:
print("I recommend Python, unless you have a reason for choosing C. Do you?")
Yeah, haha, I highly recommend Python unless you have a reason for using C.
Your program would be accomplished by the following code in Python:
print 'Hello World!'
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On October 18 2011 10:45 Snuggles wrote:On I go continuing to read up on programming, trying to soak in as much information as I can. I stumble upon Microsoft Visual Studio 2010, I get that and enter in my code again. It's simply- + Show Spoiler +
#include <stdio.h>
int main (void)
{
printf ("Programming is fun. \n");
return 0
}
I debug it and it doesn't work. I try the C++ equivalent and it also will not work.
Why doesnt it work? You should get an error message in VS (in the error list on the bottom) when you hit debug.
I think you miss a ; behind the 0
It might happen that the window closes immediatly and you dont realize the program is working. For c++ try to add a char c = getchar(); in the line before the retun.
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Thanks for the help guys. Coming up with the idea of learning how to program all by myself was a pretty wild idea seeing how much trouble I'm having with just compiling...
Based off what you guys have told me so far I've downloaded and installed Code::Blocks. I entered in my code with some changes with mmp's advice here
+ Show Spoiler +#include <stdio.h>
int main ()
{
printf ("Programming is fun. \n");
return 0;
}
But now I've run into another issue. The build log is real nice since it tells me what's wrong... I hope you guys know what the problem is.
+ Show Spoiler +Compiling: C:\Users\Thanh\Documents\helloworld.c
Linking console executable: C:\Users\Thanh\Documents\helloworld.exe
Execution of 'mingw32-g++.exe -o C:\Users\Thanh\Documents\helloworld.exe C:\Users\Thanh\Documents\helloworld.o' in 'C:\Users\Thanh\Documents' failed.
Nothing to be done.
So from the looks of it the helloworld.exe file isn't being created.
I chose C because of how difficult it is to excel at. I figured hey it'd be awesome if I could get really good at this language. I don't know if that's a good reason or not, but if things prove to be too difficult I'll probably give python a try instead. But as of now I just don't know how well I'll do until I compile my first program ;_; I'll hop over onto that TL thread after I can finally get a program compiled and running.
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I also like how the message you are trying to print is seemingly ironic.
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Did you make sure to install mingw32? I think Code::Blocks should've installed it..
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Well if mingw32 is required then I should already have it on my computer from previous attempts of compiling. So I uninstalled that particular mingw32, reinstalled Code::Blocks and now I get this error
Execution of 'mingw32-g++.exe -o C:\Users\Thanh\Documents\helloworld.exe C:\Users\Thanh\Documents\helloworld.o' in 'C:\Users\Thanh\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\CodeBlocks' failed.
I am so lost.
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I'm doing a class with programming in visual basic 2010 and its a really good. the book for the class is what will give you the introduction you need as it gives you step by step ways of making projects and it makes it really learn how to program stuff and will give you that foot in the door to learn other languages as well.
I will be be downloading that software and pokeing around c thanks for that tip.
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On October 18 2011 11:39 Snuggles wrote:
Execution of 'mingw32-g++.exe -o C:\Users\Thanh\Documents\helloworld.exe
My bad, I cannot read.
That's not a very helpful error message. I've never used CodeBlocks before, but I'm confident that you have better options. CygWin with native g++ shouldn't fail.
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imo more important than knowing the language is understanding the logic behind it (at least at a basic level, i know c can get complicated after) so draws (state diagrams, etc) are important...
i had a basic java class, then teached a gf for his c class, and used matlab, python... (all basic, but what i want to say is that the logic is more important, the syntaxis comes later)
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EPT
