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Community => General discussion => : seems_27 November 16, 2014, 10:25:45 PM

: Programming Question
: seems_27 November 16, 2014, 10:25:45 PM
I just started learning programming on website called codecademy.com and i was wondering if this is a good place to start. I'm trying to learn python.
: Re: Programming Question
: zenith November 16, 2014, 10:48:45 PM
Definitely a good start. Check out ande's tutorial on setting up a python environment (https://evilzone.org/scripting-languages/starting-python-scripting-setting-up-a-python-environment/) and our eBooks (https://evilzone.org/ebooks/) section as well, you'll find lots there.
: Re: Programming Question
: seems_27 November 16, 2014, 11:20:50 PM
and can python be used to make applications for android
: Re: Programming Question
: KingCasra November 17, 2014, 12:55:40 AM
Yes it is a very good place to start.
: Re: Programming Question
: techb November 17, 2014, 01:44:21 AM
and can python be used to make applications for android

Yes if you use what is called SL4A, or scripting layer for android. You can pack your scripts in an apk or just run them in the interpreter on the device.

Although, GUI coding is very limited and basic unless you use html and javascript to pass vars and data.
: Re: Programming Question
: L0aD1nG November 17, 2014, 02:00:13 AM
I just started learning programming on website called codecademy.com and i was wondering if this is a good place to start. I'm trying to learn python.

I think this is a great place to start : http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/
if you are looking for something online.
: Re: Programming Question
: shimomura November 17, 2014, 02:07:47 AM
If you aren't capable of figuring out the answer to that question by Googling it then I won't even begin to mention Java and the Android SDK...Dammit, I just did. Anyways I agree with zenith. Continue with CodeAcademy and supplement with texts from our EBook section.

Good one for a beginner:
http://upload.evilzone.org/download.php?id=3936967&type=zip (http://upload.evilzone.org/download.php?id=3936967&type=zip)
: Re: Programming Question
: Matriplex November 17, 2014, 02:19:03 AM
Just don't become a pyfag.
: Re: Programming Question
: techb November 17, 2014, 04:02:27 AM
Just don't become a pyfag.

^This. It is really easy to only do python. I am guilty of it, but really you should know a few languages.
: Re: Programming Question
: Comm4nd0 November 17, 2014, 05:05:46 PM
I learned from Python for dummies. As accurate as the title is for me it's written really well and teaches you the basics.

but from me, my best advice is read read read as much as you can from as many different places. Code as much as you can as you can get skill fade.

that's my 2 cents :)
: Re: Programming Question
: Kiuhnm November 17, 2014, 05:46:04 PM
If Python is your first programming language, then you should also learn how to program, that is, how to solve problems. Python is a language. What you say in that language is another matter. You should read something about algorithms and data structures.
I like "Introduction to Algorithms" (http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-3rd-Thomas-Cormen/dp/0262033844/ (http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-3rd-Thomas-Cormen/dp/0262033844/)) but maybe you should start with something lighter.
: Re: Programming Question
: seems_27 November 17, 2014, 06:29:31 PM
so learning algorithms will give me a better understanding of programming? I couldn't just read the python book and then try to build a simple program?
: Re: Programming Question
: Kiuhnm November 17, 2014, 06:58:52 PM
so learning algorithms will give me a better understanding of programming? I couldn't just read the python book and then try to build a simple program?

Think about chess. Learning Python is just learning how the pieces move. Learning algorithms, techniques and data structures is like learning openings, middle game tactics, strategies, etc...
It all depends on what kind of player you want to become. If you just want to play for fun then learn the rules and play. If you also want to be a good player, then you'll need more than that.
IMHO, real programming is 90% thinking and 10% writing code.

Here's a little problem: you have a list of n numbers. Can you find out which number, if any, occurs more than n/2 times in O(n)?
If you can solve it, then you're a good programmer otherwise you're just a programmer.
That's my opinion. Others may think differently.
: Re: Programming Question
: Xires November 17, 2014, 07:15:25 PM
Concentration on solution design is actually far more important than language familiarity.  You can look up syntax; you cannot always look up the perfect solution for your very specific requirements.  Being able to determine the issue and design an adequate solution is language-agnostic.  Thus, it would behoove you to understand more about programming overall rather than just 'how to grab tweets using python' or 'how to animate buttons using jquery'.

In other words; tutorial are useless, books(particularly those suitable as class texts) are better but primarily provide only syntactical information with a few basic examples or exercises to reinforce topic absorption.  Neither show you how to break a problem down and design a solution.  Experience is, of course, the better teacher but without knowing what you should be trying to learn from your experience, your perspective is doomed to require many iterations before grasping the concepts appropriately.

But, alas, starting *somewhere* is better than nowhere at all.  Thus, choosing a language to start with is a common first step.  Just make sure that you are gleaning the right information from your sources and don't disregard language-agnostic solution design(including algorithm design).
: Re: Programming Question
: seems_27 November 17, 2014, 08:01:32 PM
Well should i take a class on algorithms and design before learning the python language? So, basically your saying that if i have an idea on making an application I could have a hard time doing certain steps because i don't algorithms and design?
: Re: Programming Question
: Kiuhnm November 17, 2014, 08:13:29 PM
Well should i take a class on algorithms and design before learning the python language?

No, it's better if you learn the Python language first.
When you feel comfortable, learn about algorithms and software design.

So, basically your saying that if i have an idea on making an application I could have a hard time doing certain steps because i don't algorithms and design?

Start with small apps and wait to learn a bit more before embarking in something bigger.
: Re: Programming Question
: gingk0 November 17, 2014, 08:45:03 PM
If you'd like to create programs for android you could try the easy PhoneGap way, no java or eclipse involved. Just create a web application with html, css and javascript and you're good to go.

http://phonegap.com/ (http://phonegap.com/)

Learning java still is the best way to program Android Apps though.
: Re: Programming Question
: Kiuhnm November 17, 2014, 08:51:04 PM
If you'd like to create programs for android you could try the easy PhoneGap way, no java or eclipse involved. Just create a web application with html, css and javascript and you're good to go.

http://phonegap.com/ (http://phonegap.com/)

Learning java still is the best way to program Android Apps though.

What about Scala?
: Re: Programming Question
: gingk0 November 17, 2014, 11:09:23 PM
What about Scala?

Yes Scala too, but you need to learn Scala to do so. Most people know how to write a web-app already. The whole point of phonegap is to deliver a solution for web-designers who want to develop mobile apps but don't want to leanr a whole new language.

Also, important to know: PhoneGap is for android, IOS, windows phone, blackberry, Palm webOS, bada and Symbian.
: Re: Programming Question
: seems_27 November 18, 2014, 06:15:46 PM
Is there a chat room on here? I have a question about python
: Re: Programming Question
: Kulverstukas November 18, 2014, 07:34:58 PM
Is there a chat room on here? I have a question about python
Yeah, https://evilzone.org/scripting-languages/
: Re: Programming Question
: techb November 19, 2014, 12:29:05 PM
Yeah, https://evilzone.org/scripting-languages/

Or IRC.