2 replies to this topic

[Mudtimud]

Hi all,

I am planning to start a programming wiki with heavily simplified instructions on programming. I believe C and C++ is a good place to start for young programmers, but I am open to other suggestions.

With the increasing use of open source tools, I believe it is important to educate the young with basic programming skills, so that they can tap into the riches of the increasingly available source codes written by developers from all over the world.

I hope you guys can join the cause in aiding youths in taking the baby steps of programming so that the future generation will be able to contribute in return to the ivory tower of software development.

This wiki will be an absolute beginner's guide with layman instructions on how to get started. Pictures, visual aid and video tutorials are welcome.

Anyone interested in taking part in contributing to this wiki? I'd love you hear from you. Please email me at deepdarkabyss@gmail.com

I will fix a wiki workspace we can work on.

[Alexander]

C/C++ would likely be a poor choice to teach young programmers what programming is and how it can be applied to solve simple problems.

For example, explaining null terminated strings and scanning input, or better yet creating a line buffer and then scanning tokens to just retrieve a single name from console is a bit harsh.

Java has some beautiful learning exercises, and I believe there is a learning class that relates to controlling a robot (extending its functionality with classes) that could be very effective to teaching logic and encapsulation (which are fundamental to any language)

[bbqroast]

Me see me like...
I think you should stick to one language as otherwise kids can get very confused (especially with C/C++).

C++ Is a nice language once they get the hang of it, the way you end lines with semi-colons for example would prevent simple mistakes that can cause trouble in other languages such as python. I recommend you set them up with Code::Blocks, as their young you shouldn't need to post tutorials for more than one IDE, also Code::Blocks + MinGW32 installs easily- provide a DIRECT link to the package.

I say Code::Blocks because the Microsoft developer studio thingy is terrible when it comes to installation (WTF? It randomly decides if it will install on my computer after each re image!?!).

Also with some of the MS dev tools you have to register which is a pain, also the site is weird...
And seeing as you seem to base your decision to make this wiki (or part of it atleast) around open source soft.
... Hope you have much luck!