Need a Little Advice About Programming

Depends on what you want to do/work on.

To understand the logic of how to program it's not language-dependent so something general like C or python can be good, but you'll probably be better off going a different way if you just want to learn how to do webpages or something like that, and how much work do you want to put in before you can actually get paid for something, maybe even getting acquainted with some tools/sites like wix, squarespace, etc. can be a good practice/starter before you move onto more advanced toolsets.
No idea if there is a surplus of demand for any kind of work, or how soon you need to be able to catch up to others to be able to make a living from it, so I can't say if it's a good idea or not.
Probably, the best tool at your disposal will be your ability to google your way out of an issue. Most have been solved and there is a shit ton of resources by knowledgeable people you can use to get by. So that's one of the first things I'd start getting a handle on.

I would recommend starting with Python. It's an excellent combination of accessible, powerful, and in-demand.

I don't have any specific resources to recommend, but I would recommend a specific approach. Come up with some small project to automate something you do with some regularity. This has a few advantages. It gives you a goal that has intrinsic value, so you'll be more motivated to finish. If you do finish, it'll save you time since you'll have a working tool. You will have a useful code-base you can use for your next project. And because your code was written to serve an actual purpose (as opposed to some meaningless tutorial), it will be easier to recall what code was necessary to achieve those ends.

Good luck!

I concur. Python is a great language for beginners (just remember to always indent!), but it ultimately depends on what you want to accomplish and where your passion lies. Humble Bundle has some great bundles on programming eBooks if you're wanting to teach yourself, otherwise colleges have all kinds of online courses as well as in the classroom. In addition, sites like Codeacademy is something to look into.

Here are a couple of alternatives in case you're interested:

• https://www.slant.co/options/3026/alternatives/~codecademy-alternatives
• https://alternativeto.net/software/codecademy/

Other than programming, you can get a certification in medical billing and coding. I know a couple of physically disabled people who work from home, so if mobility is hard for you, it is another option to consider.

+1 for Python.

Also recommend reading a bit about neural networks if you care for it. Lots of fascinating stuff there! :)

You can also ask any technical questions on StackOverflow (just be sure to search first to make sure nobody else has already asked the same question before!), the people there seem helpful and nice.

I think it's important to learn with a goal in mind. Like, maybe you might like to write a small program to help you schedule which games to play? Have something in mind then work towards it -- there's nothing like actually coding stuff.

If it's graphic design you are interested in, it's not programming you want to learn - you'd be better off learning the applications Photoshop and Illustrator. You only need to learn programming if you want your designs to do something.

Note, I am a beginner myself.

1. HTML & CSS

• An easy way to get into the mindset of programming, but not actually program, is to try HTML Writing the code feels similar and it could be handy to know how websites work, since we are exposed to websites all the time.

2. Python

• Easy to learn.

3. Javascript

• This is harder than Python, but is useful to know if there is a frequently visited website, and that website needed to be interacted automatically.

Like most have said, it really depends on what you want to make; so since you're approaching this as something fun to do, why not work in reverse? Come up with something that you'd like to create or even a task you'd like to automate, simplify and refine it a bit (you need to remember that you're coming in as a beginner), then start asking around about what methods (or languages in this case) might perform that function best. In my experience you can't really learn anything truly well without a purpose to that learning, so I'd start there.

https://learnxinyminutes.com/

https://sivers.org/learn-js

Best way IMO

Since you're on a gaming site, I'd suggest playing with Unity or Unreal Engine. That would involve both design and programming, with a balance that would depend on you. Game development is a pretty deep and IMO interesting field, and the combination of creativity and programming is great. Of course, it's up to you to find out what you enjoy, but I think that most people who are into games will naturally also enjoy creating games.

That said, I'm talking here about doing something interesting. If you're predominantly looking for work, programming games is a lot less of a financial security blanket. It's risky even if you find work at a gaming company, and certainly as an indie. But it can also be rewarding and if you have some luck, bring in some money. Take for example this guy, who's been working on a game in his free time for a while, and recently by some luck started getting some press and a lot of Patreon followers as a result, and now quit his job to work on the game.

Edit: Just for background, I've been a programmer for many years, mainly around C++ and GPU programming, but also some other stuff. Worked on a game many years ago and on stuff related to the industry. As a hobby I also did some embedded programming, a bit of website creation, ... What I'd suggest is finding something which appeals to you, think of a (simple) project and try to work towards it. If you're interested in creating a robot, creating a website or creating a game, you'd use different tools and different languages, but in the end you will learn to program. The important thing is to do something which appeals to you. I suggested creating games because you're on a gaming site, and it's also close to my heart. But choose whatever you find appealing.

I work full time as a programmer, mostly building web based applications for clients. The way I got started was just in building simple websites for people. So in those days, it was html and a bit of CSS and endless frustration because the different browsers didn't follow the same rules. Then I started using open source CMS systems like Joomla and wordpress, and started learning code as a secondary function from wanting to change how things operated. After a while I was good enough to pick up contract work from big web companies and I was nervous because it felt like I was an imposter, but I quickly learned that the people working as developers in these companies knew less than me even and I turned into the guy they called for the tricky stuff.

So I guess my advice to you would be to start with learning to build a web site or application using an open source platform. This way you will be able to produce marketable work quite quickly. My experience is that a lot of companies are selling websites on these platforms relying purely on plugins and templates without having much coding experience themselves. So if you are able to do that and learn how basic html and CSS work then you can start making money. The world is full of bad websites, so start small and local, sell a website to your local hairdresser that presents their information nicely or build a blog for the person who thinks they have something worth saying. But each time you build a new site, push yourself to poke around and learn what is happening.

There is a huge gap that exists between the big web site companies charging a lot of money and small businesses and individuals that need to present themselves online, but don't have the budget to engage a full studio. So be the guy that fills that gap, giving people a nice online presence at a price you're both happy with. And as you learn you can take on bigger and bigger jobs.

Why not COBOL?

It's easy and there is always a shortage in programmers.
Compared to other business, banks or insurance companies (and those who have a mainframe) tend to pay well.

You should start with a serious programming language. Possibly a weakly typed language like C, or if you are a little masochistic C++ (but don't get the 'Object Oriented Programming' ideology fool you and distract you, it is 70% bullshit. try to follow a data oriented approach).

If you want to toy with scripting you can use Lua, or, if you are again a little masochistic, Python.

I recommend https://www.pluralsight.com/. It has excellent courses on many topics and programming languages.

I will go against the grain a little and say before learning any programming language you should learn fundamentals of Boolean logic and how computers work at a basic level. This knowledge will apply equally to any language you learn later on as programming languages are essentially just more advanced ways of doing the same basic things that computers have been doing forever. And for this, as a beginner, I recommend the book "Code" by Charles Petzold. Especially the first half of the book which ties together history and computing in a very compelling way. You can find it used online for a few dollars or probably find a "free" PDF with a search engine... and I think it is a fun book and well worth it to anyone who is interested in how things work. There are also many free classes online on websites like Khan Academy.

At the end of the day I think computer programming is more about problem-solving and less about "paint by number", so in my opinion the stuff that teaches you how to think about programming should come before the stuff that teaches you how to do programming.

You should be able to create your program on paper by drawing flowcharts or writing what is known as "pseudo-code" -- not in any actual language, but just statements describing the logic of what your program is going to do and how it is going to do it.

For example a common introductory computer programming homework assignment is to make your own algorithm that multiplies 2 numbers -- using only only addition. How might you accomplish that? What if one or both of the factors is negative? Zero?

If the idea of solving that kind of problem interests you, you'll probably enjoy programming.

I suggest trying one of the many MOOC websites (Coursera, EdX, Udacity, etc.), they offer many CS courses for free and complete curricula equivalent to what you would get at a formal university with the advantage of going at your own pace.

Everyone's posts outpaced my ability for personalized answers/thanks. So I will just give a blanket Thank you for your time! A lot of good info here and I figure I will be visiting it off and on to help with research. Once again thank you all for taking time out of your day to help me out.

Lon

I'm a graphic designer and I did a post grad dip. in Software Development in recent years. They started us off on Java. Love or hate Java, it is a great gateway language in learning to code because you're learning all about Object Orientated Programming and so on. Lots of people will tell you what the most fun languages are, but not the best ones for helping to understand the logic behind it all. You learn something like Java and the logic behind it, you actually find it easier to understand other programming languages. At least that's how it's been for me.

I'm still no expert and no pro. I'm a pro graphic designer and I sometimes co-develop branded apps for my clients.

I too have had back issues and was out of work for 2 years. Couldn't even do a desk job. I've had the surgery, went through complications from that, but am back on the road to recovery. I hope things improve for you healthwise, there is nothing worse than being in pain, so my heart goes out to you.

Personally I suggest you to try python, cause it has low entrance requirements for newbies, there are lot of tutorials for any topic and it is not overcomplicated as Java / C# / C++.

You might start with very small pet project which don't require OOP knowledge and then grow your knowledge.
I'd changed my mind at 25(previously was working 7 years at different banks), and never regret.