So, back in
the fall I decided I wanted to learn programming. It wasn’t the first time I
decided this – I’ve long had an interest in making my own video games and such –
but this time I actually went ahead and did it.
I started
with a few free phone apps, but quickly came across a slight problem – most of
the apps were teaching me a programming language without really explain how to code. It all seemed to assume I
had a pre-existing knowledge of coding and programming terminology and, as
such, I had to extrapolate a lot of information from context.
When I came
to the end of the free lessons in the best of these apps (it didn’t even tell
me which programming language I was learning – I believe it was either Java or
Javascript), I decided to look for something that taught a bit better. To
refine my search, I decided to look for a specific language tutorial rather
than casting my line out and seeing what I caught – my thought being that if I
could find something that taught well enough, the terminology and skills could
transfer to other programming languages.
I decided
to lean C programming, as my research revealed it to be one of the core
programming languages. My search soon popped up with this site for C++, an
upgraded form of C. Within the first few lessons, I knew I’d come to the right
place. Rather than just telling me how to code, it goes into detail about how
programming works, so I actually understand what I’m being taught to do. There’s
even a review from a university professor saying this free online textbook is
the best programming textbook he’s ever seen.
So, now I’m
buzzing along, learning to code and loving it – it comes naturally to me and
feels like one of the things my brain was designed for. I’m not very advanced
yet, mind you, but I’m getting there and making a list of programs to write
once I have the skill.
For now,
though, I thought I’d share with you one of the things I find the most
interesting about programming. It’s one of the things that inspired the thought
process of, oh, three blog posts ago – how everything is broken into smaller
pieces.
You see, a programming
language is just that – a language. It has certain words you use to combine
together that tell the computer to do something. A line of code is like a
sentence – only it ends with a semi-colon rather than a period. Code is broken
into paragraphs called functions that look something like this:
Type of function and its name()
{
Lines of
code that give the computer its instructions;
Just for
appearances, we should have multiple lines;
After all,
a single sentence paragraph is boring;
Also, there
are usually more numbers;
}
A program
as made up of a bunch of functions (among other things) and they work together
through logical progressions to make whatever the program is for happen. Just
like how words, sentences and paragraphs fit together to tell a story.
It makes so
much sense, yet it never occurred to me that that was how it would work. When
you think about it, the familiar structure makes it easier for programmers
learn the new language. Plus, as with everything else in life, it means that if
something is too big to accomplish, it can be done by breaking it down into
smaller, more manageable, pieces.
Also, make sure you check out my wife's blog and her life coaching website.
If there's any subject you'd like to see me ramble on about, feel free to leave a comment asking me to do so.
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