learning  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: mtc2629
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 01:27:57 am
content: What is the easiest code to learn for a kid

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 01:33:49 am
content: Kids can write code?Well,Ifor one accept our new hircine overlords.Dude... what kind of "kid"? Do you mean for yourself?

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 01:36:07 am
content: Quote from: mtc2629 on October 07, 2013, 01:27:57 amFORTRAN.Just kidding. Why not C? Might as well start off with something mainstream. Most of it isn't that hard to understand.

author: tehmeme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 01:48:56 am
content: What are you going to use the code for?Hardware control? Software?How old is the kid?I just noticed you joined and posted 5 posts all within 5 minutes, are you really looking for answers or is this a ploy to enter the contest?

author: hechen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 01:52:18 am
content: python wouldn't be a bad place to start.

author: Maximus64
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 01:59:20 am
content: Python or C#

author: Toble_Miner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:00:53 am
content: Also Java is not too bad to start with.

author: JoshDS
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:21:41 am
content: Python.Lots of good stuff to read and watch here. Just find the Introduction To Computer Science course.https://www.udacity.com

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:24:14 am
content: Quote from: hechen on October 07, 2013, 01:52:18 amditto. python's pretty damned easy. But C would be way more useful, especially since C++ gives you objects and a quick hop to CUDA.

author: gman4925
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:35:26 am
content: BASIC is pretty basic to learn, but also basic in it's ability.

author: drake
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:50:42 am
content: I would recommend python. You can play with it on a raspberry pi and do web side scripting too. I find most of my projects need an I/o device and using the webserver within python is a easy to use powerful tool where you don't need to reinevnt the wheel by trying to write your own ip based server.

author: MrAureliusR
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 03:05:49 am
content: Quote from: tehmeme on October 07, 2013, 01:48:56 amI think this is what's going on... I hope Dave takes notice and disqualifies this person if that is the case. I'm not against posting 5 posts to enter the contest, but as Dave mentioned they have to be GOOD posts... not something vague and clearly thought up on the spotEDIT:just looked at mtc2629's posts, and yes it's very clear that's what they were doing as post #6 was an entry to the contest. I think it's very important a mod or admin look at this and see if it's someone double dipping!

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 03:48:53 am
content: x86 assembly.

author: Greyersting
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 04:16:56 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 07, 2013, 01:36:07 amI think C might scare a kid away. He should try Python and if that is too much maybe go with C# (I will never recommend Visual Basic).

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 04:45:30 am
content: Quote from: mtc2629 on October 07, 2013, 01:27:57 amMorse Code.I agree, the "question" was one of several made in a really blatant attempt to get 5 posts for the contest. I'll point out that the rules require fiveusefulposts, so I can't imagine mtc2629's entry meeting the criteria.Nevertheless, I still couldn't resist providing the correct answer. Sorry.

author: Greyersting
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 04:48:19 am
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on October 07, 2013, 03:48:53 amHah. Everyone knows you need to know how to make punched cards before you can code.

author: chibiace
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 06:09:11 am
content: arduino perhaps.

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 06:21:01 am
content: Definately solder. Easiest language to learn ever.Pros: Indiscriminate, Definitive, and Universal.Cons: (see Pros)Alternately program in Binary.-kizzap

author: BobbyK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 08:10:31 am
content: I will have to disagree with many of the answers here, even the serious ones - especially the serious ones!If you want to get a kid or teenager interested in programming you don't choose your language for power, extensibility or even ease....you choose the language that will get them motivated to learn a lot more on their own - preferable a language that will allow them to create really cool things very fast. For that reason I suggest you introduce your kid to something like GameMaker.Game Maker will allow any kid above 5 or 6 to make their own little interactive games with minimal scripting. It uses a very simple scripting language:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Maker_Languagethat works mostly on objects in the game world, and is super easy to understand - and actually puts the kids in a very beneficial object-oriented mindset. It directly interfaces with visible on-screen game sprites and objects, and they won't need to wad through tons of libraries to learn the skill to make something that motivates them. I have taught quiet a few kids (7-12) how to use game maker, and most still use it today to prototype their ideas, and most have easily made the transition to other languages.

author: tehmeme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 11:54:12 am
content: Quote from: MrAureliusR on October 07, 2013, 03:05:49 amIn my opinion joining for the contest is fine, but, putting the effort to respond in a meaningful way dictates that the op really wants an honest answer.I've seen some new joiners post some good quality contributions to some pre-existing threads (much more valuable and meaningful than anything I have posted myself). I only hope they continue to do so in the long run as this would be a welcome injection of new viewpoints, expertise and addition to the overall pool of knowledge and diversity.Quote from: BobbyK on October 07, 2013, 08:10:31 amI concur, your response is insightful and hits the nail squarely on the head. At younger ages motivation and a clear achievable target are prime triggers for a continued interest in the subject, assuming the op's idea of a "kid" is of that age range and assuming no prior knowledge of any other language or programming concepts.

author: HamiltonHipster
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 12:06:07 pm
content: Just look for anything that interests you and start there.Learning a programming language can often be secondary to wanting to do something cool with game-development or whatever the interest is in. I only seriously learnt math because of electronicsGood luck

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 01:38:35 pm
content: If you're going to do object orientation, then stick with it all the way. I think a child would grasp OO far more easily than an adult with previous coding experience. OO is kind of the natural way to program, to me, even though I cut my programming teeth on Perl and PHP.I don't know jack about Python, but it has always turned me off because of the followers. Anything a lot of people get very zealous about is something to be avoided, IMO. In the circles I'm usually involved in Python is talked about a lot, and if even half the stuff I've heard is true, Python is better than any language ever invented, past, present or future. There is NO WAY a single language can be as good for every problem as I've heard.Don't underestimate children; they're smart. Don't pick a kiddy language like Logo or Basic. A child can learn proper OO techniques and Java or C# at the same time. Teach them what you're capable of teaching them, really. They're going to come to you for questions; be ready with the answers.

author: Lifeboat_Jim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:02:47 pm
content: I'd say C#, if there are no other considerations.As a beginner you want a language that is fully 'managed', with plenty of documentation & tutorials etc. People soon run into problems with C, or even C++ when it comes to structures and memory management. Python would be another good alternative (and quite a few packages are using Python derived for internal scripting such as Blender).

author: victor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2013, 02:31:34 pm
content: Code academy is a great start point with Javascript, I would highly recommend it.And once you get your mind around it dive into C foundation of everything out there.I would stay away from Java at first look, there are too many distractions of IDEs and Libraries, focus on the programming logic first, when you're comfortable with algorithms you can focus on learning libraries and frameworks.codeacademy.com

author: TheTurnerFromNorway
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 09, 2013, 02:44:32 pm
content: Quote from: mtc2629 on October 07, 2013, 01:27:57 amPython perhaps? It is easy and powerful.TheNewBoston on youtube have many tutorials on programming, you should check him out! His Python tutorials canbe found here:http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=36

author: travellerw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2013, 03:30:55 pm
content: If you just want them to learn how coding works and basic things like logic trees, IFs, Case and loops then I would start them in VBS. You can start writing VBS scripts to do various useful things on your Windows computer (like empty recycle bin when too full). Its a great way to get exposed to programming and there are millions (and I mean millions) of lines of code on the Internet if you get stuck.Heck I still use basic everyday when I need to bang something out quick and dirty (I use Proton for PICS).

author: logman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 10, 2013, 05:58:21 am
content: c++

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2013, 06:43:27 am
content: If you don't want to scare the kid away tryhttp://scratch.mit.edufirst.

author: hedgewallace
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2013, 07:33:33 am
content: The easiest code would probably be HTML.I have done quite a bit of HTML, and i find it very easy.I have made very simple websites, to more complex websites by watching YouTube videos.It is very easy to understand, and pick up.There are many programs that you can use to code HTML. Even notepad can be used.

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2013, 10:11:27 am
content: +1 for scratch , on a raspberry pi ,then move them onto python or even perl ,then C / C++ .If coding comes naturally to them theyll try more languages and find their own way .

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2013, 11:19:20 am
content: I learned basic when I was about 6 years old. I think Arduino could become the new basic and it is a good entry into c and c++.I also learned logo as a kid and remember really liking PASCAL but it's a useless language for the most part now.Visual Basic would always be a good one as well.

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2013, 04:32:58 pm
content: QuoteFor a gentle introduction I'd do Scratch on a PC/laptop then move straight tohttp://beta.appinventor.mit.edu/about/(after setting it up for the kid). It's the same concept but the wow factor is immense. It's absurd but with all this technology at your fingertips today I feel it is actually getting harder if you are a kid to do anything electronics/programming and impress your friends (unlike the 80s when a 2 transistor bicycle siren on a mangled PCB got me older kids' respect and a little business on the side). Now, showing them something on the phone you did, wow... Otherwise you have to have a pretty nerdy kid to be able to hit them straight with object orientation, raspberry pi and what not and not make them think you are weird.

author: WhiteWolf
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2013, 08:39:08 am
content: Java is easy to start learning from and then move on to C or C++

author: Gravity1337
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 12, 2013, 06:13:00 am
content: Any C-based/style will be the best foundation for understanding other languages. Most of the stuff mentioned falls into this category - stay away from the quirky "fashionable" stuff that pops up all the time. Stick with the tried and true

author: geraldjhg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2013, 06:40:50 pm
content: morse code

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2013, 07:22:00 pm
content: I went from Basic to DOS batch and then pascal in HS and college and then C. I've dabbled a little in Bourne/Bash scripting and have modified python scripts without having any training in it. HTML I typically steal some code from a webpage that is useful. Visual basic I tend to Google what I need and use it.