Learning computer programming from scratch.

Programming is lots of fun and extraordinarily useful.
While you learn to program, you'll also develop a host
of other analytical and critical thinking skills for tackling
all sorts of complex problems (not just ones on
computers) and it may just help you start a new career
or land a new job in software development.
Steps
Tips and Warnings
1
Start with a good book or tutorial on
programming. The book will probably suggest a
language. If you need recommendations, you might
try Structure and Interpretation of Computer
Programs by Harold Abelson and Gerald Jay
Sussman. It'll teach you how to start programming
in a language called Scheme( Now called Racket),
which is a very simple language to learn. The book is
available online for free at http://mitpress.mit.edu/
sicp/full-text/book/book.html
2
Get a compiler/interpreter/IDE for the
programming language your book uses. A
compiler/interpreter is just another computer
program, but it will convert ideas you've written in a
programming language into "machine code" so you
can see things work. If you chose to use the book
above, try PLT Scheme (http://www.drscheme.org/ )
If you're starting to program in Java, you could try
Eclipse (http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/ ) If
you're using C/C++, try Dev C++ (http://
www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html ) or C/C++
interpreter Ch ( http://www.softintegration.com )
3
Read the book ! Take examples of the programming
language from the book and put them into your
interpreter. Try changing the examples and making
the program do different things.
4
Try putting together your own ideas to form a
working program. Start with simple things, like a
program to convert currencies, and work your way
up a long to more complex things as you continue
reading and learning about your programming
language.
5
Once you start actively programming in your
first language, you may want to learn a second
one. You'll get the most out of learning a second
programming language if you pick one that uses a
radically different paradigm than the one you started
with. For instance, if you started in Scheme, you
might try learning C or Java next. If you started in
Java, you could learn Perl or Python.
6
Continue programming and trying new things !
To be a good programmer, you, at the very least,
have to keep up with changing technology. Its a
constant learning process, and you should always be
learning new languages, new paradigms, and most
importantly: programming new things!
7
Learn how to type - This is very essential as it
will make your programming very fast and
effective . Although, people don't always
recommend that you should learn how to type but
it's very helpful
Tips
Use Eclipse when writing a program. It's an
extremely useful program that can debug your code
and you can rub your code instantly, as well as using
the package explorer to flick through multiple files of
your code.
1 Helpful? 2
If you are learning Java then work with NetBeans
6.0.1, it's very cool and easy.
2 Helpful? 1
Start with something fun, motivate yourself to
solving challenges, progressing your skills in logical
problem solving.
2 Helpful? 2
Java has a powerful concept called multithreading.
Study it carefully.
2 Helpful? 1
By heart the syntax is a must. You are free to apply
it in your own way. Study some sample programs
then start coding your own.
2 Helpful? 1
Get a handy reference book. Make sure it's the latest
version as languages keep updating.
1 Helpful? 1
Don't jump start into complex language like Java but
start with python as it encourages beginners and is
composed of basically every little a