[clue] Budding SW Engineers

[dennisjperkins at comcast.net]

I don't know if C is a good first language. In addition to learning basic programming principles, you must also deal with pointers, work around C's not having strings as a basic type, etc. And you also need to compile, which is one more thing to do. Focus on the basics first, then expand your knowledge. 

I do think C is a good second language. But then, I think software engineers should also learn assembly language, not because they will ever use it, but because it exposes them to where hardware and software meet at the most basic level. 

----- Original Message -----
From: "M Paul Webb" <hsechmvt at yahoo.com> 
To: "CLUE's mailing list" <clue at cluedenver.org> 
Sent: Monday, May 7, 2012 12:45:45 PM 
Subject: Re: [clue] Budding SW Engineers 



I've always heard that it is best to begin with some form of C. You don't think so? I don't know program language, but the basics do not look difficult. However, what I'm wondering is -- if I invest some time to learn a language, then what can I do with it? If there were something fun or practical, I might look at some books. 





From: Raymond DeRoo <rderoo at deroo.net> 
To: CLUE's mailing list <clue at cluedenver.org> 
Cc: Max G. Allen <mgallen at thegeek.nu>; David T. Willson <dtwillson at thegeek.nu> 
Sent: Monday, May 7, 2012 12:10 PM 
Subject: Re: [clue] Budding SW Engineers 



David: 







I can't count the number of times I've been asked, "What is the best programming language? Which one should I learn first?" 

Learn them all, but start with Python, because it's easy, fun, and highly capable out-of-the box. 




And one of few where indentation matters. :) 


<blockquote>


Next, if you want to get further away from the OS, go Java. If you want to get closer to the OS, go bash. 

</blockquote>


I think Java or C, bash isn't a programming language and is further from the OS than Java. ( even taking into account the JVM ) 


<blockquote>


And enough JavaScript and perl to get by on. 

</blockquote>


I would have to say the JavaScript is an absolute must unless that have no desire to write Internet related code. So many technologies today are making use of javascript ( node.js, mongodb, html5, etc ) that anyone not learning JavaScript today is doing themselves a huge disservice. 


Cheers, 
Raymond 
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