[clue] Budding SW Engineers

[David L. Willson]

My first language was Apple BASIC on an Apple II (something, maybe 'c'). My second was Power C from Mix Software which I bought with my own money. My third was some variety of machine language on a Z80. 

Yes, I was a DOS baby. 

For many years, I said that my favorite programming language was JavaScript, but that always felt cheap. Thanks to DeRoo for validating. 

Now, I think I like Python better, but I don't really know it as well yet, so we'll see... 

-- 
David L. Willson 
Trainer, Engineer, Enthusiast 
RHCE Network+ A+ Linux+ LPIC-1 Ubuntu 
Mobile 720-333-LANS(5267) 

This is a good time for a r3volution. 

----- Original Message -----

> 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. :)

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

> 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 )

> > And enough JavaScript and perl to get by on.
> 

> 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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