Topic: Java, C++, Or Objective C?

Hello all!

I decided to ask this question here because I know that some, most, or all of you are skilled in or have dabbled with programming of some sort. That and I trust the people here more than on other forums (not many of my friends offline seem to care much about programming ). You all are just that awesome, in my opinion .

My question is as follows: which of the programming languages (Java, C++, Objective C) do you believe is the best to learn first? As an added question, which do you believe is more practical to use at this time?

I ask because I wish to start learning how to code to make applications in my spare time for this summer vacation!

Thanks in advance everyone.

I've never written in Objective-C, so I can't comment for that one. However, Java is very beginner-friendly. If you're new to programming altogether, I also recommend Javascript (actually completely unrelated to Java - don't be confused by the name!), Visual Basic.NET and Python. Python is very beginner-friendly, whilst VB.NET is very readable.

C++ isn't beginner-friendly at all. It's also extremely powerful, but I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point.

Good luck!

I've only coded in basic, and just for one class project (a robot), and it was relatively easy to comprehend.

Out of the languages you selected, Java is the best for learning how to program. I would also go to the conclusion that Java is the only language you really need to know if you're not going to work with hardware/a large company, but that's me.

Like said before, C++ is pretty much the most powefull and flexible programming language, however, its not beginner friendly.
If its more of a hobby/second job kinda thing, Java will work just fine and is a lot easier!

I won't recommend Java or C++ for a beginner. Just start with PHP. easy to setup, well documented, lots of tutorails all over the interwebs. Once you have learned to program, you will discover how easy it is to pick up more languages

Important question: how much experience do you have in programming? Are there any languages you dabbled into?

Thank you for all of your responses so far! It sounds like Java is taking the cake at this point as many of you are saying it's the easier one to learn.

@Forest_Ranger
I have dabbled with C# for a few months and have, so far, been teaching myself MySQL for database purposes (and to kill time). I'm not quite a beginner, but I'm nowhere near advanced.

Well, then. Java might be your best bet.

Great! Do you happen to know of any good books or online tutorials for Java?

Well, I used this textbook to learn Java in addition to my class lectures. It mainly covers data structures with Java, but it also has a handy reference in the back to people somewhat new to Java. But it may be too expensive, and if you're interested, you might want to check it out somewhere.

Another handy place for Java-related stuff is JavaBat to practice Java and Stack Overflow for Java-related questions. Hope that helps!

_{EDIT: fixed the mislink to JavaBat}

Google just announced a new Android Studio IDE based on IntelliJ IDEA! If you are still there, Forest, or if anyone else can add to this, would this be an ideal IDE for me to learn Java? My main goal really is to build apps for smartphones and it seems like this is going to be a nice IDE to start (regarding Android/Java apps).

Head First Java is an excellent beginners' book. For development, start out with literally just a text editor (I recommend Notepad++), that's not gonna throw a load of automated code at you. When you get to developing actual applications, Netbeans is pretty much the standard IDE for Java programming.

Do you know if I can get Head First Java on a kindle (or through the Kindle app)? If not, I can head over to my library and see if they have it. Also, do you have to pay for anything with Notepad++?

Sorry for all of these beginners questions. Thanks for helping me out, too

I've done none of the ones you mentioned but i've done very basic C# and Javascript. In the process of learning HTML5 and CSS. Here's a link to a site that's been helping me achieve some programming knowledge. Hope it helps you and others...

http://www.codecademy.com/#!/exercises/0

It's very picture-heavy, so if you're using an e-ink Kindle then probably not (and I wouldn't recommend it either).

Notepad++ and Netbeans are both free software.

@AD3Supa You should probably do what @Raylax mentioned and start off with a simple text editor and practice your coding. You can then compile your code in Command Prompt for Windows or Terminal for Unix by typing javac [filename].java. To run your code, just type java [filename] and your code should run.

But if you need an IDE, I started off with a fairly basic IDE called jGrasp, then Eclipse for Java developers.

Lastly, be sure you have the Java Development Kit on your computer.

Thank you all for this. I knew I could count on you all! Also, it seems like codecademy is more JavaScript, but turns it into a game! All of this information is very important to me and I may be referencing this thread from time to time to make sure I am making the right steps.

Thanks again everyone.

@AD3Supa Dear god, do yourself a favor and don't use any version of Notepad.
Get BluJ.
It's a free IDE. Why is it nice?
It's much simpler than NetBeans/Eclipse, and there's no automated code thrown in.

Here's the download page for it:
http://www.bluej.org/download/download.html

Don't forget to install the JDK.
On the right side of the page, it'll say JDK download. When clicked, you'll be taken to a page with three boxes. You want the first box. From there you just select your OS.

Also, Javascript is pretty weak compared to Java, and it won't teach you the proper etiquette.

I hate to say it, Tare, but I have Notepad++ already installed and I have two books:

1) Java for Dummies
2) Head First Java

So far I've been loving this stuff. It's kind of complicated, but I know I will one day be able to just remember System.out.println("This is a string"); just like it's nobody's business! "Hello World" made me feel so good lol! Thank you, though, for your input and the Eeyore quote in your sig there made me feel old