I've read alot about how having a knowledge of programming (C++, BASIC etc) can greatly enhance your chances in the computer world. I myself am interested in dabbling in the subject, but im without guideance. I have no idea where to start or how to start, what is involved?, do you need to buy separate software etc. Id be grateful for any help offered

Learn C first.

Try to get your head around the basics first, concepts like procedures, loops, conditions, data types, etc.

Start here:

http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/C/CE.html

But you can start reading here:

http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/C/node4.html#SECTION00400000000000000000

And go back to the beginning later.

This is good too:

http://www.cee.hw.ac.uk/~pjbk/pathways/cpp1/cpp1.html

Start reading this to:

http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/


Get this book if you can:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201183994/qid=1115245190/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-1227737-0008852

It contains many secrets.

Also, and most importantly, start programming right away.

You can program with something like this :

http://www.tucows.com/preview/293608.html

Start writing code right away.

But remember that its also about thinking about the best and most efficient ways of doing things, not just how to read code. Try to write a game like hangman, or a card game or something, and program it.

When you have these sorts of things down pretty well, try to look at Java and SQL, etc, as well which will help you get a job probably, if that's what you want.

Phantasm66 is absoultly correct 10900%

I started off with Visual Basic 6( not really that good at it but getting better) Then went on to HTML,JavaScript,Flash ActionScript 2, ASP,PHP(really good for those administrative jobs) and now I'm trying to use

Sams Teach Yourself C++ 2nd Edition in 24 Hours

Using Microsoft Visual C++ (don't know if there is a difference and how to really tell if your doing anythin can't get any of the programs to run after it says it has compiled.)

But if you knew most of these languages really really well ( easiest is for basic websites Javascript,HTML, and CSS(Cascading Style Sheets to make your page really cool and organized.)

You will be set for the future and can probably get a job making websites for people(that's what I'm doing right now)

So Start off with C or C++ for you computer programming
and for websites learn the basics of HTML

Go Programming Language

I agree with both of you!

You need to learn fundamentals,
Start with BASIC, then C, C++, java, and so on.
HTML is one of the easiest languages to learn (its all in english and can be used on any Notepad program).
For different languages, you need to use different compiler programs.

Here's what I use for C++:
http://www.bloodshed.net/dev/devcpp.html

A simple google (www.google.com) search will find the other ones (sorry, i'm lazy XD)

Good luck, hopefully the Command prompt style box won't scare you too bad, you'll be seeing alot of that soon!

Like Tom said, Bloodshed Dev C++ is a great compiler, and an easy tool to learn C++ on. PHP is a really useful language to learn if you do anything with dynamic web content.

Do NOT start with Basic. At all.

I recommend you start with C++!

1) Go here (http://www.codeblocks.org/downloads.php) and download " WITH MingW Compiler". This'll be your IDE, Code::Blocks. Your compiler will be mingw (windows gcc port), and it'll be automatically installed with Code::Blocks since you downloaded the "with mingw" package. Reason you should do this because it's a lot easier than to get a separate compiler, then install that compiler, then install Code::Blocks on it's own, and then configure Code::Blocks to run with that compiler.

Hmm... well, to wrap it up, let's just say it's an easy "all-in-one" package that will kick-start you.

(BTW, yes, there are other IDEs, but Code::Blocks has the best light-weight/features ratio - DevC++ is lighter, but less feature-ful, and VC++ 2005 express is more featureful but bloated as ****...)

2) Beginning C++ Game Programming by Michael Dawson (http://www.gamedev.net/columns/books/bookdetails.asp?productid=379&CategoryID=21) - best book to start with. It teachers C++ from begin to end (well, not really, but into REALLY advanced topics like polymorphism and inheritance) from a game perspective. No, you won't make the next-gen MMORPG. No, you won't make a 2D RPG. No, you won't make Pong. You'll make Tic-Tac-Toe. In chapter SIX.

Instead of me stating what everyone else has, read the reviews for it... First one specifically. Michael Dawson (author) is also an admin in GameDev.net, if IRC...

I read the book and I must tell you it is GREAT.

3) *hint hint* GameDev.net */hint hint*

4) Once you feel confident with C++, go get and install SDL. Start some simple 2D stuff. Make Pong. Asteroids. Tetris...

5) Here comes fun stuff. Get OpenGL into SDL. Or just OpenGL with win32. Or... D3D with SDL... OR D3D with plain ol' win32 ;). -OR- a ready 3D engine like Ogre.

6) ...

7) Profit.

(BTW, guys, DevC++ is an IDE ([b]Integrated Development Environment)... mingw, the compiler it uses, is the... well, compiler - there IS a difference...)