From: "Jesús Gabriel y Galán" Date: 2010-04-06T00:42:51+09:00 Subject: Re: Novice school teacher seeking help in programming On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 5:36 PM, Hilary Bailey wrote: > Jesús Gabriel y Galán wrote: >> On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 5:23 PM, Hilary Bailey >> wrote: >>> I will like to know how to use programming languages to create a >>> computer software. I was advised to start with Ruby. Half-way through >>> 'Beginning Ruby From Novice to Professional', it refers to C and/or C++ >>> as fundamentals. HELP. What is a practical approach to learning how to >>> create a computer software from scratch. I am in the the field of >>> secondary education with some knowledge of Excel, Words and SPSS. >> >> Perhaps this book is more appropriate for an absolute beginner? >> >> http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram >> >> Jesus. > > Jesus, the book is just as similar to Beginning Ruby From Novice to > Professional. I don't know, I see Chris Pine's recommended a lot in this list, and it seems to really target people who are starting. > Do i have to learn C and or C++ before even thinking of > using Ruby or attempting to write a software? Not at all. I think Ruby can make a good first language. It also depends to which extent you want to be a programmer. In my opinion at some point learning C does you good, cause you learn how low level things work. I think you can start with Ruby and see where this takes you, then decide from there. There are many languages and many programming paradigms. At some point it's good to learn language from different paradigms to broaden your perspective. Jesus.