How do you learn a programming language?

[Brandon W]

I actually started to learn through books, they are a great resource if you chose the right ones of course It's the way I have learnt PHP, some of Objective-C, Python, C and C++. Once I finished a book or two on PHP, I have read a few more just to get more familiar with it. Also started to read through the online documentation

After I have done all that, I just look at other code and learn from that while creating my own. If I need help, I come here

[relapse]

Online tutorials and Videos. I can't afford books or schooling.

[Brandon W]

As Winged said, there are free books that you can download on the internet If not, there is pirates out there

Schooling is expensive one.

[scottk]

Generally I decide on what I want to do for my first project and start hammering away. I will read a book beforehand to get an idea of the language syntax then start developing the application. Codeproject is an excellent resource of examples for learning a new language.

[WingedPanther]

Also, how you learn your first language is very different from how you learn your tenth. When learning your first language, you are getting flooded with concepts. On your tenth, you will tend to approach it from the perspective of "What's the syntax for 'if-then-else'? Oh, OK."

[relapse]

As Winged said, there are free books that you can download on the internet If not, there is pirates out there

Schooling is expensive one.

You are correct sir! If it weren't for pirating electronic books I'd probably never be able to afford a book. I dislike reading on my computer but have forced myself to do so.

[tossy]

I feel learning in online tutorials and reading some books may help to get better knowledge on programming language.

[dvelop]

Creating your own little programs is a great start.

[Gemini]

MSDN helps alot.

[relapse]

MSDN only helps if you are a .NET programmer though.