Re: [gentoo-dev] Programming advice wanted?

[Tom Wesley]

On Monday 22 Mar 2004 19:13, Andrew Gaffney wrote:
> Dennis Allison wrote:
> > First, it is important to understand that programming is independent of
> > any particular programming language.  Languages are just the
> > representation or notation for programs.  Some are large and complex
> > and likely to get in the way of understanding programming (C++);
> > others are spare and simple and conceptually clean (Python, Scheme).
> >
> > I'd begin with Python and then move on to other languages.  Starting with
> > C++ is a bit like deciding you want to take up mountain climbing and that
> > the first mountain you want to climb is Mount Everest.
>
> While I do completely agree with that analogy, C++ was the first (real)
> language I learned (after Apple BASIC, QBasic, VB, and Java (*I* do not
> consider Java a real language)) and it gave me a broad understanding of the
> way that any language works. Because I know C/C++, I can easily pick up new
> languages because I don't have to learn new concepts.

I am going with that theory too, as I am in a similar position to what you 
are.  Although I abusively called it database scripting, some of the stuff is 
relatively complicated, often exceeding what could easily be acheived, for 
example, in Access.

I have bought an O'Reily book on QT programming from a friend, but it seems 
far too complex to start out with.  I'm thinking that I will be looking 
around for some example Python and C applications, see if I can pick anything 
up to get me closer.

-- 
Tom Wesley