Starting programming

fFirst and foremost, the best way where to start is with yourself. Focus, dedication and goals are important to achieve mastery of programming.

It depends on what school of thought you are going to follow. It's either you are with a Microsoft way school of thought (you embrace all Microsoft tools and applications) or Non/Anti-Microsoft way school of thought...Me, though, i don't necessarily like the way Microsoft conducts business but i decided that Microsoft way of thought will be my way for my programming needs.
the best way to learn programming is to self learn them...join forums... ask questions and make friends with programming gurus... never mind if you kissed their asses...the goal is to become one of them.

First, i suggest you study Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) because it is part of MS Office applications (Excel, Word, Access, Powerpoint). If you can update your Access database, make a Word document report or Powerpoint presentation by just using the Excel then you are a VBA guru already. In my office, i only used Excel to develop a DataMiner to capture data across network save it to Oracle database.

.....When the time comes when your programming needs are not satisfied by VBA you have to metamorphosed yourself...i suggest to take the same road in VB.NET. some say VB is too easy... but just try VB.NET and you will see for yourself the very improved Visual Basic (try the 2005 version). If you really wanted to make another computer language then C++ is for you but if you just want to develop Windows-based applications then VB.NET (from Visual Studio NET) is for you. Another advantage of using VB.NET is its capability to develop applications for Windows Mobile applications such as PDA, Smartphone, etc. Programming with your PDA phone is so cool, you can impressed your friends with it.

From here you are on your own now....

However, there is a interesting language in the market today. Its called "Python". Man, the learning curve for this language is very short and you will not be frustrated. Some of the big projects that use Python are the Youtube, the original BitTorrent client. Large organizations that make use of Python include Google and NASA.



Stay hungry! Stay foolish