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+---- Thread: [C] Learning new languages - Learning curve? (/showthread.php?tid=5133618)
Learning new languages - Learning curve? - ApexDexterity - Jan 14, 2016
Hi fellas.
People always ask which programming language they should learn. There are TONS of these threads and they've honestly made me more confused than anything.
So I decided to learn C++ just because.
Anyways... My question is: I'm sticking to C++ and hopefully I'll learn it really well. But how easy is it to switch to another language once you've learned the syntax of another language?
I'd guess that you have an advantage knowing some basic programming syntax already.
* - 7_R3X - Jan 14, 2016
Most people think programming is about syntax but NO, it's not. It's more about thinking, designing and then bringing your design to reality. It's more about algorithms and playing with numbers. It teaches you about how a system works and once you've tasted the fun of solving a puzzle it's difficult to resist. You literally get high when you code. It becomes a part of your life.
Even the famous Steve Jobs has said
Quote:Programming teaches you how to think.
You know the difference between an animal and a human?
Well, Science says that a human is a thinking animal. And
Quote:Programming, IMO, makes you more human.
I'm new to programming myself and have been programming C/C++ for around last 5 years but one thing for sure!! Programming has changed me a lot. I feel better now.
Stop worrying about learning the syntax. If you are creative and if you can think, if you understand a problem and if can come up with any(if not the best) solution for it, you can program.
Enjoy Programming ;) 👍
* - Jadzia - Jan 14, 2016
I've recently been advised to learn python and then to move to C and/or C++....that it eases the learning curve.
* - WojeT - Jan 15, 2016
What 7_R3X is saying is correct, it's not about the syntax but about the principles of programming. This roughly breaks down into how you approach problems, and how you choose to solve them. This together with knowledge of different systems/protocols etc translates to other languages. Things like the Windows API work in the same way regardless of language, same with HTTP. Working with HTTP in the different languages will be the same, only difference will be the syntax. So the more knowledge you have about things like that, the easier it will be to switch to another language.
* - Remix - Jan 15, 2016
(Jan 14, 2016 01:37 PM)7_R3X Wrote: Most people think programming is about syntax
Never met someone who thought that
* - csrk - Jan 16, 2016
Granted, once you know one language learning another one is simpler. But if you know C++ and you try to learn Haskell, you're basically learning from scratch again. Haskell is a functional language where you program with mathematical functions, whereas C++ is not.
Points is, knowing a language can make it easier to learn another, but it's not guaranteed.
* - g4143 - Jan 16, 2016
(Jan 14, 2016 12:12 PM)ApexDexterity Wrote: Hi fellas.
People always ask which programming language they should learn. There are TONS of these threads and they've honestly made me more confused than anything.
So I decided to learn C++ just because.
Anyways... My question is: I'm sticking to C++ and hopefully I'll learn it really well. But how easy is it to switch to another language once you've learned the syntax of another language?
I'd guess that you have an advantage knowing some basic programming syntax already.
I won't rely on the syntax being transferable but the ideas behind the syntax and ideas represented by the syntax is transferable to other similar languages.