Programming Mentor Needed

So I have been programming on and off for a couple years but I have never really learned to do anything practical. I just downloaded VB Express 2010 and have all summer, I want someone who wants to teach and has a passion for coding. I have done a couple simple programs in JustBASIC and DarkBASIC but beyond that my knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming Languages is nil.

Please, if you wish to help reply or pm me or add my messanger. I am willing to work hard.

 

Considering you've had at least a little experience with programming, perhaps try something a little more challenging than BASIC considering you already understand the basics of what a language actually does? It'll be harder, but the benefits are greater once you move on to a better language. BASIC is really only good for absolute beginners to teach them the simple things really. You can use it for more, but it's annoying and unwieldy in my opinion.

May I suggest C# or Python? C# is more like Microsoft's version of Java and is a part of the .Net suite like Visual Basic, whereas Python isn't made by Microsoft, but it's VERY simple and VERY useful (a huge amount of Battlefield 2 was written in Python if I recall correctly). Python would be much simpler for someone who's only had experience with BASIC, whereas C# would help you dive in to C-based languages. It's really a matter of how much you want to challenge yourself. I can tell you now that there's great benefit in knowing either, though. Python is awesome when used well.

I can't help you personally. While I do have holidays coming up I want to catch up on study I've missed, maybe work on one of my own projects, as well as maintain my commitment to the composition and playing of music (which I've been neglecting as of late). So basically when I'm not playing Minecraft or something like that I'll be busy, sorry bud ^_^;;.

I'll give you a couple of links to get you started though. Even if you don't have a dedicated tutor there's plenty of resources online to get you going for either language. C# .Net is maintained by Microsoft and thus has a lot of support, and Python has a well-written documentation as well as a very helpful community to dive in to. I'm not going to push you either way really. Just take a choice and go with it really. C# DOES rely on the .Net framework though, whereas Python essentially has the ability to execute on just about any operating system, and executes very fast and efficiently at that.

Python:
Official Python Website
Official Documentation
Official Beginner's Tutorial
Dive into Python

For some reason I remember the 2.x versions being more popular for different things. Probably not as much support for the 3.x versions yet. Just choose one and go with it. It'll be easy to switch between the two once you get the gist anyway.

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C#:
Official Website
MSDN: Getting Started with Visual C# 2010

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If you're insistent on Visual Basic, you can find information about it as well as tutorials etc. on MSDN, the same place as C#.

Sorry I can't be of much more help, and good luck.

 

I'd say start with this Python book and see what you think / how you're doing after you work through it (a few days). I'm usually willing to help if you PM for my MSN.

http://www.swaroopch.com/notes/Python

 

Cp is a user on here and he is a really skilled programmer. If you are truly devoted to this, toss him a pm. If he helps you out you will be golden