talkmagic.co.uk

Ive always wanted to do some programming or become a computer technician when I'm older and ive always been told start with the basics and work your way up. Usually people suggest HTML and CSS but of course this is a totally different kettle of fish if you are wanting to do C++ or anything like that. Once you learn one of the easier coding languages then the rest seem to come easier. Like i said ive started with foundation knowledge of HTML and CSS.

Yes, a natural progression for you is PHP.

I.D I am a software engineer I work mostly with VB and SQL server , but I have also worked with Pascal, Delphi, Cobol. In the university I learned mostly C (which I never used but that's just coincidence). What is the most important to learn is the basics that apply for all programming languages. In the beginning you should read some books on : algorithms , data structure , object oriented languages,databases, interface design, and then decide on which language to focus. Or you can focus on web programming.
And I quote Marvel :

Something that is important to know is that programming is only 10% the language, the rest is problem solving. So if you start with one language, moving to another is not hard.

Which is 101% true. If you know the basics then you can move from one language to another. I learned most languages on work. 3 years ago I was working on programms about Bank systems and Stock Market, now I work in Marine Software. Totally different area , different languages.
Good luck with what you decide and we are here for any help you might need.

ID,

Be VERY careful about computeach!!!! They seem like they will do alot for you and assist you in getting a job after your course! They have some great sales guys who would sell their own Grandmother and probably have but from what I hear the 'aftersales' is sometimes a bit poor.
You should be able to complete a self study course for half (if not less) than the price that you have been quoted and if you are motivated (which it seems you are!) then you should be able to get a job on the back of it!!
I don't know if you already work in IT but that is always a good start anyway (I have hospitality qualifications and ended up in IT - since then I have been teaching myself just to understand the stuff I deal with on a day to day basis!! Delphi,XML and SQl scripting!)
I also have the benefit now of having a company that sees my value and will pay for courses for me!!

I don't want to sound like I'm repeating myself, but the way to learn to program is to get on with it. Courses can only teach you syntax, idioms and basic design skills. The reality is that programming is about experience and to get that you need to do projects.

Yes, Nightfall is right that to be good, one needs to know about algorithms, data structures, etc. But your average web app is a database with a load of forms and tables and most of the work is done in library functions.

There is no longer a need for us to implement a linked list, a date function or the quick sort algorithm. In fact, proper computer science skills are only needed in a small percentage of computing problems.

The reality of ones first computer programming job is that it's likely to be associated with the input and reporting of the content of a database and all of those skills can be learnt from a book. Having said this, some people require the structure of a course to be motivated to get things done.

My experience of teaching people to program from is that the major hurdle is getting people to solve problems using a limited vocabulary. Once the problem solving methodology is nailed, then it becomes a matter of understanding the atomic data structures and the grammar of the language.

At that point, one needs to get a handle on the library functions (dates, maths, file management) and then get on with it.

It is then that it becomes appropriate to start learning how ones solutions could be implemented better. This might be a better use of the language, use of different library functions or a different algorithm. Here is where one needs some mentoring.

A good example of a problem which has many solutions is generating a list of the first n prime numbers. I've seen some hideous programs for this, but it's a good illustration.

ID, have you decided how many hours a week you can spare for this training yet?