Hey Guys. WAIT! MODS! Please don't move this as this is one of the most important aspects of hacking, and the generic Coding and Programming section hardly gets looked at (and a bunch of skids jump here when they first join). Okay, back on topic. When hacking, there are many choices of Languages to specialize in. I am doing to walk you through them all.
2 Weeks In My Drafts Bin, here it is:
VB.NET
Ah, yes. The afamed VB.NET. This is one of the three languages that are in a never-ending war against one another. VB.NET is a spin off of VB6 (which I will cover later), created by Microsoft in the early 2000s. VB.NET is a nice language for beginners, but it comes at a price. VB.NET users are constantly getting flamed by VB6 and C++ coders across the interwebs. See my recommended Pathway below. VB.NET is one of the two most common languages in hacking programs (the other being VB6)
PROS:
Nice Setup
Easy to use
LOTS of support across the internet
One of the most widely used languages worldwide.
Lots of sources
CONS:
You WILL be flamed at some point
Requires .NET framework, which can only be used by Windows (and I think Mono works on Linux, but it is inconvenient. This need verification)
C#
C# (pronounced C sharp) is a nice programming language to learn because it is almost as simple as VB.NET, and it has the functionality of C++. I myself am learning C# right now. This is another .NET language. This language also has uses beyond hack-related things. The XNA (xbox live) Studio can be programmed in C#. The main difference between VB.NET and C# is the syntax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syntax_(pro...languages) ). This is a big issue here on Hack Forums because you need to sift through all of the Visual Basic codes to find a C# code, because C# is in the .NET section.
PROS:
Versatile
Fairly Simple
A decent amount of support
CONS
HF section is difficult to navigate
.NET framework
You will most likely get flamed by Java programmers (as Java is comparable to C#)
There are other .NET languages (F#, J#), but they are used SO infrequently that I am not going to discuss them.
Fun Fact: Contrary to popular belief, C# is rarely paired with C++.
C++
C++ is THE most renown programming language in the modern world. It is a descendant of C (coming up) and was created in the late 1900s. C++ in the hacking realm is usually used for Bots, but there have been a few other quite useful programs. If you are wanting to go into a professional programming career (yes I know most of the people reading this's ages range between 12-17), then C++ is a must learn.
PROS:
Most popular language in the world
Lots of available sources
Versatile
Cons
Slowly becoming outdated
Not a lot of Hack Tools to work off of
C
C is the Father of C++. It was invented by Bell Labs while Unix was being invented. C is hardly supported around here, so I am not going to list the pros and cons. Basically, C++:C as Redrum:Murder, but a little less complicated.
Java
Java is a language invented by Sun Microsystems that is extremely portable and useful. You can code games (Runescape is coded in Java), Android Apps, and much more. Java is one of the most useful languages to learn, but it is not the greatest at malware. If you are looking to code malware, try a .NET or C Family language WITH ONE EXCEPTION. Java is a great spreader using a tactic called a Java Drive-By. This basically infects users who load a Java app (usually embedded on a webpage).
PROS:
Extremely portable
Semi-Easy To Learn
TONS of support
CONS:
Bad, Bad, Bad language for Crypters
Indecent language for other malware
The buttons on Java UIs... they look hideous...but that is just my opinion
Python
Python is an extremely easy and useful language. If you are a beginner programmer on Linux (because you can't do VB), I would recommend it 100%. If you are on Windows, it is still just as useful to learn. It also is nice if you want to get into graphic design, as one of the best free modelling programs runs on Python: Blender. It is also useful because you do not need to compile it. For more info on Python, click here.
Pros:
Easy to learn
No compiling required
Powerful
Cons:
Not a lot of computers have Python installed
Delphi and Perl
Before you hound me and seek my soul, I DO understand that these are two different languages. I do not know a ton about them*, so I am going to wing it. These languages were created in the 1980s. You can still code some decent malware with them, but using another language is easier.
Pros:
Lots of support collected over the past 25 years
Fairly simple syntax
Cons:
Old
*If you would like to elaborate more on Delphi/Perl, please PM me.
EDIT! Short Term Recommended Pathway (as of 1/31/11)
This is the order that I recommend that you learn languages in.
1.)Start with C#
2.)Learn Java
3.)Delve into C++
THEN
==
Try Visual Basic
Try Python
Try other languages
Why? Visual Basic is a very easy language, but it has the worst syntax, and it is a one of a kind syntax. C# is a good start due to the easiness of Visual Basic combined with the syntax of C++ and most other compiled programming languages. The reason that I say to learn Java next is because Java is really useful to know, and it is very similar to C#. Then start the complicated stuff. Go on up to C++, and if you master that, you are officially a good programmer. You can then try other languages and see how you like them. Now, mind you, this pathway is a very lengthy process. This will take about 3-5 Years to master all of the three first languages.
NEW! Feeling Risky? Long Term Recommended Pathway (as of 11/16/11)
This is the order that I recommend that you learn languages in.
1.)x86 Assembly
2.)C
3.)C++
4.)Perl
5.)Either C# or LISP
Why? Learning Low-Level Computing Up will give you a better understanding of what is actually going on in your code. You will also learn how systems work at a lower level, which can prove useful in your endeavors of...questionable legality. 🤝
Thanks for reading!
2 Weeks In My Drafts Bin, here it is:
.NET FRAMEWORK LANGUAGES
VB.NET
Ah, yes. The afamed VB.NET. This is one of the three languages that are in a never-ending war against one another. VB.NET is a spin off of VB6 (which I will cover later), created by Microsoft in the early 2000s. VB.NET is a nice language for beginners, but it comes at a price. VB.NET users are constantly getting flamed by VB6 and C++ coders across the interwebs. See my recommended Pathway below. VB.NET is one of the two most common languages in hacking programs (the other being VB6)
PROS:
Nice Setup
Easy to use
LOTS of support across the internet
One of the most widely used languages worldwide.
Lots of sources
CONS:
You WILL be flamed at some point
Requires .NET framework, which can only be used by Windows (and I think Mono works on Linux, but it is inconvenient. This need verification)
C#
C# (pronounced C sharp) is a nice programming language to learn because it is almost as simple as VB.NET, and it has the functionality of C++. I myself am learning C# right now. This is another .NET language. This language also has uses beyond hack-related things. The XNA (xbox live) Studio can be programmed in C#. The main difference between VB.NET and C# is the syntax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syntax_(pro...languages) ). This is a big issue here on Hack Forums because you need to sift through all of the Visual Basic codes to find a C# code, because C# is in the .NET section.
PROS:
Versatile
Fairly Simple
A decent amount of support
CONS
HF section is difficult to navigate
.NET framework
You will most likely get flamed by Java programmers (as Java is comparable to C#)
There are other .NET languages (F#, J#), but they are used SO infrequently that I am not going to discuss them.
The C Family
Fun Fact: Contrary to popular belief, C# is rarely paired with C++.
C++
C++ is THE most renown programming language in the modern world. It is a descendant of C (coming up) and was created in the late 1900s. C++ in the hacking realm is usually used for Bots, but there have been a few other quite useful programs. If you are wanting to go into a professional programming career (yes I know most of the people reading this's ages range between 12-17), then C++ is a must learn.
PROS:
Most popular language in the world
Lots of available sources
Versatile
Cons
Slowly becoming outdated
Not a lot of Hack Tools to work off of
C
C is the Father of C++. It was invented by Bell Labs while Unix was being invented. C is hardly supported around here, so I am not going to list the pros and cons. Basically, C++:C as Redrum:Murder, but a little less complicated.
Other languages
Java
Java is a language invented by Sun Microsystems that is extremely portable and useful. You can code games (Runescape is coded in Java), Android Apps, and much more. Java is one of the most useful languages to learn, but it is not the greatest at malware. If you are looking to code malware, try a .NET or C Family language WITH ONE EXCEPTION. Java is a great spreader using a tactic called a Java Drive-By. This basically infects users who load a Java app (usually embedded on a webpage).
PROS:
Extremely portable
Semi-Easy To Learn
TONS of support
CONS:
Bad, Bad, Bad language for Crypters
Indecent language for other malware
The buttons on Java UIs... they look hideous...but that is just my opinion
Python
Python is an extremely easy and useful language. If you are a beginner programmer on Linux (because you can't do VB), I would recommend it 100%. If you are on Windows, it is still just as useful to learn. It also is nice if you want to get into graphic design, as one of the best free modelling programs runs on Python: Blender. It is also useful because you do not need to compile it. For more info on Python, click here.
Pros:
Easy to learn
No compiling required
Powerful
Cons:
Not a lot of computers have Python installed
Delphi and Perl
Before you hound me and seek my soul, I DO understand that these are two different languages. I do not know a ton about them*, so I am going to wing it. These languages were created in the 1980s. You can still code some decent malware with them, but using another language is easier.
Pros:
Lots of support collected over the past 25 years
Fairly simple syntax
Cons:
Old
More Languages Possibly To Come If I Get Enough + Feedback!
*If you would like to elaborate more on Delphi/Perl, please PM me.
EDIT! Short Term Recommended Pathway (as of 1/31/11)
This is the order that I recommend that you learn languages in.
1.)Start with C#
2.)Learn Java
3.)Delve into C++
THEN
==
Try Visual Basic
Try Python
Try other languages
Why? Visual Basic is a very easy language, but it has the worst syntax, and it is a one of a kind syntax. C# is a good start due to the easiness of Visual Basic combined with the syntax of C++ and most other compiled programming languages. The reason that I say to learn Java next is because Java is really useful to know, and it is very similar to C#. Then start the complicated stuff. Go on up to C++, and if you master that, you are officially a good programmer. You can then try other languages and see how you like them. Now, mind you, this pathway is a very lengthy process. This will take about 3-5 Years to master all of the three first languages.
NEW! Feeling Risky? Long Term Recommended Pathway (as of 11/16/11)
This is the order that I recommend that you learn languages in.
1.)x86 Assembly
2.)C
3.)C++
4.)Perl
5.)Either C# or LISP
Why? Learning Low-Level Computing Up will give you a better understanding of what is actually going on in your code. You will also learn how systems work at a lower level, which can prove useful in your endeavors of...questionable legality. 🤝
Thanks for reading!
