Holding Programming Lessons

[Kimiko]

Hello,

Due to the tremendous amount of spare time befallen on my fortune, I would like to hold programming lessons. This forum in general is fairly active, just not this section.
Before I do give out more information on this, I need a few decisions from the members.

I can teach C, C++, and Java, but I won't be teaching all three. Only one of those. I also won't include .NET since it's very specific to the OS unless the majority falls on Windows. There also is barely any difference besides Java and .NET. Other than one is a bit slower, and runs in a virtual machine, as well as needing time to translate from byte code to machine language->hint hint, starts with J.

I need members who are interested to post which languages they'd like to work with. Depending on the majority, that is the language I will chose.

Second: I can work with Windows, OS X, Debian and BSD. I need members to decide which operating system they'd like to program in, we'll go with the majority. The main reason I am deciding on an operating system is because when it comes to languages like C and C++, the real power lays within the operating system, not the language. The language is just a means of communication. With that said, I will be focusing directly on the operating systems API's when programming rather than the standard functionality provided by the language.

Third: I need to know which IDE's you're comfortable with, which compiler's you're comfortable with. My recommendations would be on a BSD/Debian based system to go with Code::Blocks and GCC. On Windows to go with Visual Studio, and Microsoft's C/C++ compilers. On OS X, to go with Xcode, which also comes with GCC and Apple's own compiler.

Fourth: I'd need to know the time and days you guys are interested.

Fifth: I'd need to know how you want to hold these meetings, whether it's through an IRC, XMPP, Skype, etc.

On a final note, I do not want to limit the amount of users. If it becomes a handful we can split into groups. Also if the user count is very low, then it might mean sessions more often and working at a quicker pass.

That's all the information I need for now, again, we'll go with majority vote unless we can make exceptions.

One other thing I should mention is I will not be relying on third party material. It will cover strictly how I learnt and what I feel is sufficient to teach. Since I'm going to go into very specific fields, what will rely on is strictly documentation provided by either the developers of the language, and or compiler.
-Thank you.

 

[TJOC]

Hey! Thank you for offering this. I've really wanted to learn more about programming just haven't really dedicated my time to doing so yet and I feel this is a great way to start.

I'd prefer to learn Java, I think most people here would since a vast majority of us are mainly interested in programming for RS botting.

Windows preferably, although I do have some Linux based servers so that would be a vote from me as well.

Visual Studio, since your recommending that for Windows.

Does IRC support screenshare meetings? I'd prefer something with that, it's just Skype is so laggy.

Thanks again

 

[Kimiko]

Unfortunately Visual Studio does not support Java; However, if we were to do Java I'd recommend to do it without an IDE. Or chose an IDE that's very lightweight and very beginner user friendly. For the majority of span programming in Java, I've used text editors like Sublime, and compiled through the terminal. Java is very terminal friendly unlike C/C++ where manual linking, and include directories become a pain so they are done through MAKEFILE. Which is why for C/C++ we should use an IDE. I'm not going to dismiss the fact that learning to link and compile through the terminal is important, and it will be covered, other than that it's very time consuming.

For Java, I'd honestly recommend a text editor, or if you want a very lightweight IDE that supports debugging, I'd recommend Dr.Java.

IRC would not support screenshare, unless screenshots were posted. If that's the case, Teamviewer can be an option, or Skype and screenshare.

Now you did mention majority would want to learn Java due to developing bots for Runescape. That's fine, remember once the language is learnt, then developing bots for a bot client is just relying on the API the client provides you.

 

[Add My Msn]

I'd like Java since I study that in uni too.

Windows as OS.

I like notepad++ and CMD if that's what you mean.

IRC + Teamviewer sounds good.

As of the times, I'd be available everyday after 6 PM GMT +1.

Thank you very much for this.

 

[AconRH]

Can we code RSBots on Eclipse????!

 

[Kimiko]

Can we code RSBots on Eclipse????!

Yes, Eclipse is mainly a java development IDE. I won't specifically teach you to make a Bot simply because making a Bot is just relying on the API the botclient provides you. Maybe I will make a bot as an example, if anyone knows a bot client that provides clean documentation on its programming interface. If you learn basic UI, inheritance, polymorphism, overriding methods, that's there really is to making a bot.
Making a bot client on the other hand is much more difficult and requires a byte code engineering library, as well as knowledge on JIT hooking. I lack that field in Java since byte code never really interested me; however, if C were to be chosen I can teach you low level function hooking done in C. This can involve memory hooks, which is also called hot patching, by replacing the first five bytes of a function with a jump instruction to the hook function. The hook then returns to a trampoline to restore the original five bytes, and jumps back to the original function, skipping the jump.
I will also cover IAT(Import Address Table) hooking, and VMT hooking.
If we have time later on I can even get into kernel level hooks invoking MAJOR routines, and SSDT.

 

[leoPrez]

I would love to learn java so maybe we can work on making a rsc private server bot im very new to this and willing to learn

 

[Kimiko]

Alright, it looks like Java is in favor for the most.
I'll post my final decision on 7/12/2013, and we'll begin from there.
As for time and dates, I haven't received much information except for Add My Msn. I'm fine with 1800 on GMT+1. How is everyone else with that time?

 

[TJOC]

Eh. It wouldnt work great for me since I'm in gmt-6 and I'm not home from work until 1800 either.

 

[leoPrez]

whats your Skype?

 

Why not just make Youtube videos and let people ask you specific questions, that way there's no scheduling conflicts

 

[Kimiko]

Why not just make Youtube videos and let people ask you specific questions, that way there's no scheduling conflicts

I dislike anything to do with video tutorials. I also feel if I were to make a tutorial I'd miss key points. Once a tutorial is made, if a user were to ask specific questions I'd have to redo the video to cover some concept previously missed.
I think it's best to learn realtime, and a one on one conversation. Not ask a question on a video in the hopes of it being answered. Also if their question weren't to be answered within reasonable time, they would be cut short on a given task.
I will however, make a blog to go with what I covered for the day. Much easier to edit. If each session is say two hours long, putting those two hours into a video is much more difficult than a blog.

On a side note, it looks like the language will be Java. If it comes to the final decision then you may use whichever OS you'd like.

If you'd like to add my Skype, you may.
[email protected]

 

[Kimiko]

It's been a while since I have updated this thread.
My decisions have been made.
Java will be the language.
Any operating system since Java only relies on the JVM.
Preferred text editor and terminal, you may use a very lightweight IDE.

Days the session will be held will be on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and perhaps one of the weekdays if it's required. Maybe Tuesdays or Wednesday.

Since there is a time issue, I will hold two sessions on Saturday and Sunday.
1800 For GMT+1 and 1800 at GMT-6,

It's up to you to decide which one you want to show up to.
Sessions will be held on Skype.
Sessions will begin 20/12/2012, first one held at 1800 GMT+1.

If any issues arise, I will post on this thread. You may contact me or post here for concerns.

 

[D3xus]

I'd love a person on Skype I could discuss programming with, add me. i'll PM you it.

For lessons, best of luck to all you noobies out there.

Also, where did you learn to program c/c++/java/vb

 

[Kimiko]

I'd love a person on Skype I could discuss programming with, add me. i'll PM you it.

For lessons, best of luck to all you noobies out there.

Also, where did you learn to program c/c++/java/vb

I apologize I took so long to get back. I figured no one was interested since I had not had any contacts come online. Perhaps people are busy and would like to try it another time.

I'd gladly discuss programming with you.

As for where I learnt it, I learnt on my own over the course of many years.
All I needed was an initial spark of interest.