[wplug] Best programming language for beginner?

[Justin at js-wordsmith.com]

Thanks for your feedback, everyone. Believe it or not, I only just finished looking over it all; I decided to re-image my home server with Ubuntu over the weekend, and what should have been a simple migration spiraled out of control into a complete redesign that consumed my free time like it was going out of style. I can never leave well enough alone.

I think I'm going to start with JavaScript and either Python or Ruby. Most of the open source projects I'm interested in use JavaScript, and Python/Ruby look to be closer to my definition of "fun" - being close to plain English - than the others. I'll definitely look into the Pittsburgh Python and PGHRuby. I wish I had read Bruce's message about Open Hack Pittsburgh sooner.

Out of curiosity, is anyone else here interested in learning one of these languages? I'm sure the local groups have plenty of resources for newcomers, but it might be nice to form an unofficial study group for just us beginners.

Justin Smith
Electronic Communication Specialist
http://www.js-wordsmith.com




>---- Original Message ----
>From: Justin at js-wordsmith.com
>To: "General user list" <wplug at wplug.org>
>Sent: Thu, Feb 21, 2013, 3:07 PM
>Subject: Re: [wplug] Best programming language for beginner?
&gt;
>Probably Web applications, I guess. I feel like that's where development is headed.
&gt;
>Oh, and I'd love for programming to be a fun experience. Working with Java was about as much fun as sticking my head in an oven. The Wikipedia article about Ruby got me thinking...
&gt;
>"Matsumoto has said that Ruby is designed for programmer productivity and fun, following the principles of good user interface design.[28] He stresses that systems design needs to emphasize human, rather than computer, needs:[29]
&gt;
>    Often people, especially computer engineers, focus on the machines. They think, "By doing this, the machine will run faster. By doing this, the machine will run more effectively. By doing this, the machine will something something something." They are focusing on machines. But in fact we need to focus on humans, on how humans care about doing programming or operating the application of the machines. We are the masters. They are the slaves."
&gt;
>That sounds about right. Is this how the Ruby community thinks? That tutorial Vikram linked to is HILARIOUS, and I really like how easy it is to understand the code.
&gt;
>Justin Smith
>Vice chair/secretary, WPLUG Board of Directors
>http://www.wplug.org
&gt;
&gt;
&gt;
>>---- Original Message ----
>>From: Brian Makin <merimus at gmail.com>
>>To: "General user list" <wplug at wplug.org>
>>Sent: Thu, Feb 21, 2013, 2:33 PM
>>Subject: Re: [wplug] Best programming language for beginner?
>&gt;
>>In that case... what kind of open source projects would you like to work on?
>>That should narrow your choices quite rapidly.
>&gt;
>>Every programming language has its strengths and weaknesses.
&gt;
>_______________________________________________
>wplug mailing list
>wplug at wplug.org
>http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug