From: Tim Pease <tim.pease@...>
Date: 2006-11-03T05:39:15+09:00
Subject: Re: Just a question to throw out there...

On 11/2/06, James Edward Gray II <james@grayproductions.net> wrote:
> On Nov 2, 2006, at 12:49 PM, Tim Pease wrote:
>
> > Go to your local library and grab the first volume of Knuth's "The Art
> > of Computer Programming". Read and understand this book -- it will
> > give you a fantastic foundation for any language that you pick up.
>
> Wow.  I respect that book a lot Tim, but start there?  I must be a
> wimp because that book still intimidates me today!  ;)
>

I'll be honest, it has been a long time since I've opened up Knuth and
actually read the thing. In a true political move, I'll reverse my
stance and be accused of being a waffler :)  Don't start with Knuth!

What helped me most in learning to program was a good course on data
structures and algorithms followed by a course in Object Oriented
programming and design.

Skotty, have you looked into any entry level programming courses at
your local college? If you cannot attend one of these courses, at
least take a look at their book list.

I learned programming as a kid with Logo and its turtle graphics. It
is a programming language that makes very clear James' earlier post
about computers being stupid. It taught me the basics of loops,
control structures, and the coolness of drawing the transformers logo.

Now I'm rambling.

TwP