[filburt1]

Originally Posted by GottaBeKD

Well, if you are serious about learning programming, especially Obejct Oriented Programming, I second the Java suggestion. Because after doing lots with Java over the last year or two, programming in PHP is...well, I wish it were Java.

Mirrors my thoughts 100%.

[tamarian]

If you have no background in any programming languages, I would recommend not wasting your time with any specific language that you may never use.

Just start head first with a PHP book for beginners, like "PHP for Beginners". Studying Java first (or C++) can be an overkill, if you have no plans to use them.

Then you can setup a test seerver on your PC to test you PHP scripts and the book examples, or even a vBulletin test server. Next would be an introductory book into SQL, like "SQL Fundamentals", to learn about relational databases, including MySQL.

If you prefer to get some background first, I recommend getting a general book on "Programming Languages".These types of textbooks are ideal in introducing you to the basic concepts of programming languages and techniques, runs through the most popular languages and some historical ones, and explains the differences between them, without committing you to any specific language. These books are an easy read, and show you the differences between modular and object oriented languages, and how they handle/translate algorithms.

[zetetic]

Originally Posted by tamarian

Just start head first with a PHP book for beginners, like "PHP for Beginners". Studying Java first (or C++) can be an overkill, if you have no plans to use them.

Yeah I was gonna say... it seems odd to recommend learning Java to a new programmer who wants to write hacks for vBulletin, given that vBulletin is completely php and javascript...

I'm a total newb myself, and I'm about halfway through Larry Ullman's PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Websites Visual Quickpro Guide. Not only is it written for non-programmers but it's directly relevant to working with vBulletin. I've even managed to make a couple mini-mods here recently with the help of that book and these forums. Obviously I recommend it.

[amykhar]

Originally Posted by tmhall

Yeah I was gonna say... it seems odd to recommend learning Java to a new programmer who wants to write hacks for vBulletin, given that vBulletin is completely php and javascript...

I'm a total newb myself, and I'm about halfway through Larry Ullman's PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Websites Visual Quickpro Guide. Not only is it written for non-programmers but it's directly relevant to working with vBulletin. I've even managed to make a couple mini-mods here recently with the help of that book and these forums. Obviously I recommend it.

My recommendation was qualified by the statement

If you are going to do it for more than a hobby at some point, I suggest learning java.

And, I stand by that statement. PHP and HTML are the way to go if all you are ever going to do is tinker with your site and the sites of others. But, if you are looking at becoming a "programmer" who can branch out and do other things, I think Java is the best way to start.

Amy

[zetetic]

Originally Posted by amykhar

And, I stand by that statement. PHP and HTML are the way to go if all you are ever going to do is tinker with your site and the sites of others. But, if you are looking at becoming a "programmer" who can branch out and do other things, I think Java is the best way to start.

And that makes sense, but he did say:

[...] I am dying to learn so that I can create my own custom hacks needed for my board.

So it just seems to me that what he needs to learn to that end is php/javascript. :shrug:

[amykhar]

Originally Posted by tmhall

And that makes sense, but he did say:


So it just seems to me that what he needs to learn to that end is php/javascript. :shrug:

Ah, but I was responding to post #6, in which he asked for two things: the easiest to learn and a language that would help him learn other languages. Hence, my response that Visual Basic was cake to learn, but that Java would help him if he planned on moving forward.

It was an evolving conversation and not just the question in post 1 that I was speaking on.

Amy

[zetetic]

Originally Posted by amykhar

It was an evolving conversation and not just the question in post 1 that I was speaking on.

Aha! Yeah see, I didn't miss the evolution, I just didn't read it quite the same way as you. I thought he was just coming at his original request from another angle in post #6; basically saying, "I want to learn php to hack my own site, but if y'all think there's an even easier language I can learn that can get me started, I'm interested." In which case I thought "Learn Java" was an odd response, since Java is a bit more complex than php.

[JC]

Originally Posted by rpwolfe

What would be the easiest language to learn for a newbie? A language that would allow me to easily learn other languages?

I'd say HTML is the easiest web-based language. CSS is also quite easy.