How do I start programming?

Question

I am 15, and my school has a robotics competition (called FRC). You have to create the robot and also program it. You can use C or C++ or LabVIEW or Java. I would like to use Java as it has been recommended to me a lot. Now, I have absolutely NO EXPERIENCE at all with any programming language, period. I am thoroughly educated with computers in general though.

So, considering i have no experience, where do I start learning? 
Where do I download the JRE and all of that stuff? Some good books? Tutorials for beginners?

Sorry for my overwhelming description, but I have no clue where to start.
Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!!!

indi01 · Accepted Answer

you can start with a book like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Java-Everyone-Cay-S-Horstmann/dp/0471791911

go for an IDE (Eclipse or Netbeans are the most used by professionals, I personally suggest BlueJ for beginners).

Start practicing (a lot, there are many exercises in the book). Without practice you will get nowhere.

But let me warn you...Computational intelligence is one of the most complicated stuff to implement. Ever. The best computer scientists and engineers in the world still struggle with making robots function optimally (and independently of humans).
I assume however that your task will be to build a machine which will be controlled manually from you, not that will interact automatically with the environment.

So good luck!

? · Answer

For C++ I recommend using CodeBlocks, and for Java using Eclipse. They're both very helpful and both have quick and dirty tutorials, and check your work as you code. Here's a quick few steps to remember for coding in either of the two:
1) You always, always, always put a semicolon after your line. It's used instead of a period.
2) Ask someone who knows. Does your school have a computer sciences class? Ask the teacher for help. If not, go to a high school nearby and see if they do, and ask the teacher there. 
3) Do these packets: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/wilson/1079.htm They will help you learn C++ if you do them one at a time, starting with number one and going from there.

Mister Answerman · Answer

You can't just learn in a week of study, it takes a lot longer than that. You are best to get with someone who knows how to do the programming (you can learn from that person) and you do the building of the robot. It's a competition so you need to both participate in both sides of the project.

Kyle · Answer

Where do all of these competitions come from? The only kids I have ever seen don't even know how to type, let alone have C/C++ competitions.

Icedude · Answer

Check out Codeacademy- http://www.codecademy.com/#!/exercises/0

You might like it. It'll teach you the basics of Javascript I think. Once you get comfortable with it, you can move on to higher level languages.

EDIT: Make sure you make an account on the website so you can actually save your progress.

Best of luck bro!

Anonymous · Answer

codecademy and udemy are good places to start on the net for tutorials.

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How do I start programming?

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