Decide your goal. Learning a
programming language can be
both quite interesting and
challenging if you know what you
have to accomplish. Even university
graduates study a language for
years but they might not be able to
figure out their specialty. So first
decide what you want to become,
for example a programmer, a
game developer or a robotics
expert.
Choose a programming language.
Always start to learn from a core
language. When you first begin to
learn, choose mid-level language
like C and afterwards C++.
Learning these two is a must for
any competent and complete
programmer, as these are industry
standards. Don't start off learning
high level languages such as Java
or something else as they can
prove to be very confusing for a
beginner. (You can always learn
other languages later, of course,
but you'll want to have C and C++,
at a minimum, under your belt.).
Since C/C++ could look too hard to
true beginner, you may prefer
Python also. It is widely considered
as a good language for beginners.
Study a language for at least one
year. Learn the common
programming paradigms,
especially procedural and object-
oriented. Read a lot and practice
with a compiler or IDE (there are
many free ones online). Once
you've mastered a language, do
not rush to implement. Instead
buy some good books on data
structure and learn the key
subjects like searching, sorting,
binary tree and linked list creation
etc. Whether it is about game or
software development, data
structure is the protege. Later, you
may move on to a high level
language such as Java[1]. For
serious programming learn
computer algorithms like divide
and conquer, greedy method,
backtracking, etc. for another year
at least.
Fall in love with mathematics. For
various reasons, many avoid
mathematics or just hate them. But
to become a good programmer
you must solve and exercise a
good number of problems on a
daily basis, say one problem for
one day. As you can see, it is easy
to say but difficult to do. It is not
important how much knowledge
you have in a language but its
relevance to a particular problem.
Most problems are related to
mathematical series (Fibonacci,
Floyd triangle, Fourier Series etc).
Not only that, there are many
mathematical equations that can
save a lot of time. So, start to learn
new equations and their aspects.
Learn discrete mathematics and
calculus. Without mathematics,
coding is like grassing the cattle.
Be self-motivated. Remember,
Rome was not built in a day. So
don't rush to learn all in a day.
Learning programming is not so
easy because it employs logic
frequently. So, try to understand
the logic and practice it, practice
until you memorize it. If you are
only trying to memorize, you will
miss the fun and the concept will
be left unclear to you. So, stretch
yourself to the limit, but don't try
to run before you can walk.
Take your time. Even the most
accomplished programmers fail to
solve a simple problem on certain
occasions. So, try to relax when
solving a particular problem. Take
notes, find a proper algorithm or
prepare your own. This is why you
must learn data structure and
study mathematics. It takes many
hours of practicing problem-
solving skills on different types of
problems before you can call
yourself an expert. Sites like
Project Euler or Codecademy[2]
have many small programming
assignments and tutorials that will
help you practice and hone your
skills.
Never back down. Programming
can be very frustrating and
annoying too if you act carelessly
but once you solve a problem all
frustration will disappear. Do a lot
of calculus (Fourier, Vector,
Boundary Problem, Linear Algebra,
Matrix). When working on a
particularly intricate problem, take
periodic breaks to let your brain
relax and relegate the problem to
your subconscious mind. Make a
good schedule for working. When
you feel bored, take a nap or walk
but never give up, never back
down.
Become a master. Try to teach
others and show your developed
applications to others. If you know
someone who is better than you,
share your thoughts and problems
with them, share experience as it
will enrich your arsenal. Try to
develop your own application
imitating professional software
like text editor, windows
application. Take part in
competitions to push yourself to
the limit if you dare. Knowing one
programming language is good,
but mastering more is better, as
you'll not only have more tools in
your toolbox, but expose yourself
to other ways of solving problems,
because Regardless of what
language you use most often,
having knowledge of others to
draw on will make you a better
programmer and better able to
understand common constructs
and problems in the abstract. So
learn several programming
languages, especially two or three
with different design philosophies,
such as Lisp, Java, and Perl. But
learn each of them properly.
Be a bookworm. Most well versed
programmers are good readers
too. They think before they even
type a line of code. So, read a lot
and think. Recheck your works
once a week. (Document your
code well, in order to make said
rechecking easier.) Further, invest
some money in good books. Try to
buy the best (not necessarily the
best selling) resources. Never
slavishly follow a single resource
as it will make your outlook
narrower. So once you master
something, research on it for more
use and variations.
Invest in Training Centers. If you
are not satisfied with your teach-
yourself technique, enroll yourself
into some beginner's course. But
before the enrollment, always
research on the previous
graduates.
Have a lot of practice. Solve
hundreds of programming
problems. It would be the best if
you can invent a lot of them
yourself. However, if you can't,
several web-sites could be useful:
TopCoder - popular US competitive
programming website - it can really
boost your algorithm knowledge.
Codeforces - other competitive
programming website - contests here
are held bit more often than at
TopCoder.
Project Euler - great web-site with
math-related programming problems.
CodeAbbey - problems targeted to real
newcomers in programming, simpler
then at the resources above.

mehnnn, learn one programming language for 365days?! .. when person wan learn everything finish na

thanks

I'd rather learn a language and be a Master in it than choose to learn 5 or 10 and remain an average joe in all!!!

He is not saying you should learn all 5 at once, may be once a year. BTW experience in low level languages makes learning higher ones easier, for example if you know C and deep knowledge C++ and you have used it for like a year, with adequate power supply you can learn core Java (without server side techs) in less than a month p

i disagree about learning a low level language first as for a beginner who has never programmed before learning C or C++ will only make him or her hate programming and become a frustrated figure.
i would suggest learning Python or C# as these two are easy to learn and very beginner friendly for a complete novice.
These two languages if studied well enough can easily be learnt and one can become more than average in one year because of its simplicity.

Thanks for sharing Op. Mod, shay dz 1 no sopose dey fp.

Thanks for sharing Op. Mod, shay dz 1 no sopose dey fp?

A programmer can either learn a "low" level or "high" level language as a beginner depending on the path he chooses to follow. You want to learn how to program real world instrumentation, then start with the appropriate language, HARD or EASY!!!

mexzony:
i disagree about learning a low level language first as for a beginner who has never programmed before learning C or C++ will only make him or her hate programming and become a frustrated figure.

y am i not fustrated?
I partially disagree wif u bro.Learning a middle-level lang like C only makes u a better programmer,coz it exposes u to some hidden tinz dat wud probably be done on ur behalf by d suppose high lavel lang....but hey,a newbie can learn any provided he is comfortable with it...my $0.02

wisemania:
y am i not fustrated?
I partially disagree wif u bro.Learning a middle-level lang like C only makes u a better programmer,coz it exposes u to some hidden tinz dat wud probably be done on ur behalf by d suppose high lavel lang....but hey,a newbie can learn any provided he is comfortable with it...my $0.02

you are right about being an even better programmer learning mid level languages as you tend to fully understand what goes on under the hood but then not everyone is like you and out of a hundred complete novice programmers who have never typed code before maybe one or two will be able to cope with starting with hard languages like C or C++ the rest will get frustrated.
Even experienced programmers recommend starting out with high level languages as you can still be a damn good programmer then you can gradually ease yourself into the low level stuff by then you will have felt confident.

Pythonian99: I'd rather learn a language and be a Master in it than choose to learn 5 or 10 and remain an average joe in all!!!

I guess u've never heard of "jack of all trade, master of some"....

rutchiekens:

I guess u've never heard of "jack of all trade, master of some"....

No Sir, I'm not interested in the opinion of someone that has now uncharacteristically be termed as a "wise saying".
A true programmer 'd rather do this: For instance, if Python isn't used to develop mobile apps, he'd try to use Python to create a framework that can be used to create mobile apps and see how it works.
That is the kind of Python programmer I want to be, not a Jack-of-many-programming-languages

Thanks

@op wat kind of book are u refering 2.

zicjoe: @op wat kind of book are u refering 2.

they re alots of good books online on data structure

Pythonian99:

No Sir, I'm not interested in the opinion of someone that has now uncharacteristically be termed as a "wise saying".
A true programmer 'd rather do this: For instance, if Python isn't used to develop mobile apps, he'd try to use Python to create a framework that can be used to create mobile apps and see how it works.
That is the kind of Python programmer I want to be, not a Jack-of-many-programming-languages

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. BTW knowing closely related languages helps to solidify your understanding of the initial language

fz

Mod. front page please

Pythonian99:

No Sir, I'm not interested in the opinion of someone that has now uncharacteristically be termed as a "wise saying".
A true programmer 'd rather do this: For instance, if Python isn't used to develop mobile apps, he'd try to use Python to create a framework that can be used to create mobile apps and see how it works.
That is the kind of Python programmer I want to be, not a Jack-of-many-programming-languages

It’s better to get something done than to
get something perfect...

Great piece of Advice....

to me i believe any kind of programming language u want to learn.. as far as ur passionate abt what ur doing, u can always get there.

In my opinion programming advice should take consideration of the fact that some people are hobbyists while some want to go professional. What is the point in telling a would-be hobbyist to learn assembly language (for example)?

Some advice are just too impractical jare.

Nothing wrong in giving good pointers as long as you know who it is you are advicing. Some hobbyists will definitely go pro with time but not if you kill their interest with unrealistic to-do tasks.


By the way does anyone use komodo here?

jayriginal:
In my opinion programming advice should take consideration of the fact that some people are hobbyists while some want to go professional. What is the point in telling a would-be hobbyist to learn assembly language (for example)?

Some advice are just too impractical jare.

Nothing wrong in giving good pointers as long as you know who it is you are advicing. Some hobbyists will definitely go pro with time but not if you kill their interest with unrealistic to-do tasks.


By the way does anyone use komodo here?

do u mean komodo edit?

I dey follow

Pythonian99:
I'd rather learn a language and be a Master in it than choose to learn 5 or 10 and remain an average joe in all!!!

learning more than one language will even make u a better Programmer.

drealboy:


learning more than one language will even make u a better Programmer.

U think so ?

rebirth of a seasoned advice! this was on of my rekindling advice on my bookmark before nairaland was unscrupulously swept off its data.... thanks man... remembering ***Fibonacci *** back in the days..

Am a beginner n am starting with C++

Raypawer:
rebirth of a seasoned advice! this was on of my rekindling advice on my bookmark before nairaland was unscrupulously swept off its data.... thanks man... remembering ***Fibonacci *** back in the days..

welcome back

Sirnuel:
Am a beginner n am starting with C++

what re u going into?

where can i learn computer programming, was unable to do that in d university so wanna do that now,