How do you learn a programming language?

[kromagnon]

I don't know if that is such a good idea. You'll probably end up confusing yourself. (For me) It makes more sense to learn one language, and then draw parallels from it to other languages

[icepack]

I learned the basics of OOP's in high school. I learn most languages from taking classes at school. But I've downloaded and bought some book's about Perl that have been helping me pick that up.

Repitition helps. And never just read through instructions. Make sample programs, even if the only change from the last program is something small like adding a loop or if statement.

[smith]

yes, you have to do the example programs when you read a book or else you forget everything by the end of the book. That is a good way of learning.

I usually, after finishing a book, try to create my own program and this generally helps me more than reading the book.

[ShortCircuit]

How do you learn? Practice, practice, practice!
Yes thats right, sure you can learn all the theory you want but without practical experience it is useless!

[chaganlal1]

This year I am taking programming classes at the local tech college, but I got into programming around the age 14 by reading some ebooks then when I took the Visual Basic course in High School I came very into it learning the other languages by looking at the source code www.pscode.com has a huge amount of code for alot of languages. Then paying for books off amazon and learning the rest. I guess its about interest, the more interested you are in it the better and faster you will learn.

[hampus.tagerud]

I´m learning by doing! Books never seemed to help me at all... I get an idea of a program I´d like to make and then piece by piece I look up how to create it online. For example: if I want to make a text editor, I look up how to format the text in one place and how to save in another. Then combining them and trying to write your own code is very good! I think it is the best way! That and read others source code and trying to understand it... But I believe that this is individual, something is better for me but it may not suite you

[ikonia]

I think this question is unique to each user.

I'd look at what learning methods work for the person in question, then try to find material that falls in line with that.

Some people respond better to instructor based learning, others to reading/self study, others interactive, others a mix.

I think the question is unique to the person.

[sandeepnandal]

yes its true

As per the title, how do you learn a programming language?

I have used a combination of, tutorials, editing existing scripts for my needs as well as books (usually from amazon).

I actually find editing existing scripts to be the most useful, although it is still hard to master a language such as C++

What methods have other coders used?

[PGP_Protector]

Me, I started by doing the examples in the old Vic20 Magazines
(Also helped me learn how to type)

But I'm mostly self instructed, I had one class of Into to programing in HS, they were teaching Basic, I was trying to do all the examples in pascal on some old TRS-80s

Now, I do a lot of my work in VB.NET (Works & gets the job done), but am converting to C# as I think that will help the income more in the current environment.

[Andrew.G]

Book, classes, or video tutorials