Computer Programming
- Best Way to Learn to Program
- Smart Marketing / Web Programming
- January is Web Programming Month
- Programming Without a Compiler
- Microsoft, OpenSource and Neurons
- The Interactive Web
- Programming for Fun
- Why Learn Programming Languages?
- Win32 Programming Tutorial
- Sorting, C++, CSS and HTML
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
A good technique for would-be programmers wanting to learn how to program by doing something useful.
Programming isn't hard.
It used to be - back in the days when everything was fresh and new. I'm not even talking about 50 years ago, either. I started in the 80s, and even then, there was a sense of newness about programming.
And so, there was little in the way of book-learning. That is, we read the manuals, and the programming language primers, but in the early days there were no tutorials (there was no Internet, either!), and very few of these ubiquitous 'Teach Yourself' books.
How did we learn? By example. By doing. By trying out stuff.
These days, we can put a modern spin on the basic premise. In a recent book, I introduced the concept of glue code, and was pretty impressed when IBM picked up on it. You can, if you're interested, pick up the article at the folling url: www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0702_shields/0702_shields.html
Glue code is a great learning metholdogy, too. It will help you to learn how to program, save time, and teach valuable mashup skills.
One example area is in the use of AHK (AutoHotKey : windows-programming.suite101.com/article.cfm/autohotkey_windows_macro_scripting) and JavaScript together to provide a solution whereby Web page interaction can be automated. That's the power of mashup at work.
At some point I'll write it up, but in the meantime remember that the Internet is full of little snippets that you can use - be they tools or source code - to create your own projects. And the learning experience will be great!
It used to be - back in the days when everything was fresh and new. I'm not even talking about 50 years ago, either. I started in the 80s, and even then, there was a sense of newness about programming.
And so, there was little in the way of book-learning. That is, we read the manuals, and the programming language primers, but in the early days there were no tutorials (there was no Internet, either!), and very few of these ubiquitous 'Teach Yourself' books.
How did we learn? By example. By doing. By trying out stuff.
These days, we can put a modern spin on the basic premise. In a recent book, I introduced the concept of glue code, and was pretty impressed when IBM picked up on it. You can, if you're interested, pick up the article at the folling url: www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0702_shields/0702_shields.html
Glue code is a great learning metholdogy, too. It will help you to learn how to program, save time, and teach valuable mashup skills.
One example area is in the use of AHK (AutoHotKey : windows-programming.suite101.com/article.cfm/autohotkey_windows_macro_scripting) and JavaScript together to provide a solution whereby Web page interaction can be automated. That's the power of mashup at work.
At some point I'll write it up, but in the meantime remember that the Internet is full of little snippets that you can use - be they tools or source code - to create your own projects. And the learning experience will be great!
Smart Marketing / Web Programming
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Programming JavaScript and PHP gives a new dimension to web site marketing.
I've discovered a few things writing my recent book 'Just Enough Web Programming'. That's one of the nice side-effects of being a constant author : the research throws up some great opportunities. Face it - the more one can spin out of a single product in marketing terms, the better.
For programmers, especially, now is a very exciting time. Web 2.0 is not going away. Tag and ping, as well as blog and ping remains a good way to spike traffic. But everyone knows abotu these by now, and the search engines are starting to catch on.
To stay ahead, you need to do one of two things : work harder, or smarter. We're programmers, and so we can work smarter than any non-programmer.
Now, if you're a non-programmer reading this, then you've come to the right place. Right now, if you are marketing online, there are two powerful methods you need to know about:
And, if you don't want to create the code yourself - head on over to:
(It'll set you up for finding a whole bunch of happy coders who can help you out!)
The best thing to do, though, is learn how to do it yourself. Welcome to programming...
Guy
For programmers, especially, now is a very exciting time. Web 2.0 is not going away. Tag and ping, as well as blog and ping remains a good way to spike traffic. But everyone knows abotu these by now, and the search engines are starting to catch on.
To stay ahead, you need to do one of two things : work harder, or smarter. We're programmers, and so we can work smarter than any non-programmer.
Now, if you're a non-programmer reading this, then you've come to the right place. Right now, if you are marketing online, there are two powerful methods you need to know about:
And, if you don't want to create the code yourself - head on over to:
(It'll set you up for finding a whole bunch of happy coders who can help you out!)
The best thing to do, though, is learn how to do it yourself. Welcome to programming...
Guy
January is Web Programming Month
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Some new articles on JavaScript programming, a look ahead into 2008, and a recap on 2007.
December 2007 was Batch Programming Month. As such, I created a whole mini-site of articles dedicated to batch file programming using the built-in Windows command line scripting language.
Now, I've yet to group the content into a coherent web, but until I do, the whole list can be accessed at the following URL: http://command-line-programming.suite101.com/articles.cfm.
January 2008 is Web Programming Month (as I'm currently working on my new book Just Enough Web Programming), and I'm starting with JavaScript tutorials.
The first two articles are now up, and give you a sneak preview of what's to come:
As always, if there's anything else you want me to cover - just drop me a line : computerprogramming(at)suite101.com
Happy New Year!
Guy
Now, I've yet to group the content into a coherent web, but until I do, the whole list can be accessed at the following URL: http://command-line-programming.suite101.com/articles.cfm.
January 2008 is Web Programming Month (as I'm currently working on my new book Just Enough Web Programming), and I'm starting with JavaScript tutorials.
The first two articles are now up, and give you a sneak preview of what's to come:
As always, if there's anything else you want me to cover - just drop me a line : computerprogramming(at)suite101.com
Happy New Year!
Guy
Programming Without a Compiler
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
From macros to batch files, I round up the Suite 101 Computer Programming Article Archive and stuff it into your Christmas stocking.
Every computer user has the possibility to write a sophisticated program without going any further than the tools they use on a day to day basis. More than that, the results will actually be more useful because they are integrated with those tools.
Think about it for a minute.
If you use Word or Excel, you can write macros. If you use Windows, you can create batch script to automate tasks by processing files of commands. If you are a Linux user, there is a scriptable shell interface that provides a richer version of the Windows command line equivalent. MacOS X users have the same options - there being a command line hiding underneath all the gloss of the operating system.
The kicker is - the tools that do the actual work (beyond the scripting interface) are just the regular commands and programs that you are already using! This makes for a seriously competent and under-deployed alternative to learning how to program.
The cherry on top of the cake is, that in the vast majority of cases, these scripting and batch programming tools are incredibly easy to use. Often easier than actually learning how to program with a traditional language like C.
To get started, here is a collection of links to articles right here on Suite 101:
Windows Command Line Programming
Windows Macro Scripting with AutoHotKey
Starting with VBA for Excel
Introduction to VBA for Word
Have fun!
Think about it for a minute.
If you use Word or Excel, you can write macros. If you use Windows, you can create batch script to automate tasks by processing files of commands. If you are a Linux user, there is a scriptable shell interface that provides a richer version of the Windows command line equivalent. MacOS X users have the same options - there being a command line hiding underneath all the gloss of the operating system.
The kicker is - the tools that do the actual work (beyond the scripting interface) are just the regular commands and programs that you are already using! This makes for a seriously competent and under-deployed alternative to learning how to program.
The cherry on top of the cake is, that in the vast majority of cases, these scripting and batch programming tools are incredibly easy to use. Often easier than actually learning how to program with a traditional language like C.
To get started, here is a collection of links to articles right here on Suite 101:
Windows Command Line Programming
Windows Macro Scripting with AutoHotKey
Starting with VBA for Excel
Introduction to VBA for Word
Have fun!
Microsoft, OpenSource and Neurons
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
I rant a little about the BBCs attitude to Open Office, share some wisdom about Microsoft's rental scheme, and introduce this weeks hot topic on Computer Programming 101
It can't be back to school time already. And yet it is - that's what my publisher keeps on telling me, anyway.
A tip for would be computer book authors : if you want to sell books, sell them to schools and colleges. The web, glorious though it might be in many respects, has reduced the computer book market so much that the educational market has become my bread and butter. Almost.
Those of you who have been listening to the BBC World Service's Digital Planet (bbcnews.com/digitalplanet) may have heard them talking about Open Office a couple of weeks ago.
I got annoyed with what they said, and wrote to them, along with thousands of others.
You see, Microsoft has released a copy of Office to developing markets which is based on rental, rather than purchase.
My point to them - for 95% of users, Open Office and MS Office are equivalent. The other 5% can afford the full MS license even in developing markets.
Therefore, what Microsoft should be doing is renting on the basis of features, and not packages.
The moral of the story - if you can get by without the corporate level features, open source packages, and in particular Open Office, offer the best balance between price and quality. If you need corporate features, such as programmable databases (Access), and a robust integrated macro programming language (VBA), then you need MS Office.
Finally, this weeks little project is to learn about neurons and neural networks. I'm researching them for one of my aforementioned books, so I thought I'd share a little of my new found knowledge with you.
The article is Neural Network Model Algorithm and is online now. Enjoy.
A tip for would be computer book authors : if you want to sell books, sell them to schools and colleges. The web, glorious though it might be in many respects, has reduced the computer book market so much that the educational market has become my bread and butter. Almost.
Those of you who have been listening to the BBC World Service's Digital Planet (bbcnews.com/digitalplanet) may have heard them talking about Open Office a couple of weeks ago.
I got annoyed with what they said, and wrote to them, along with thousands of others.
You see, Microsoft has released a copy of Office to developing markets which is based on rental, rather than purchase.
My point to them - for 95% of users, Open Office and MS Office are equivalent. The other 5% can afford the full MS license even in developing markets.
Therefore, what Microsoft should be doing is renting on the basis of features, and not packages.
The moral of the story - if you can get by without the corporate level features, open source packages, and in particular Open Office, offer the best balance between price and quality. If you need corporate features, such as programmable databases (Access), and a robust integrated macro programming language (VBA), then you need MS Office.
Finally, this weeks little project is to learn about neurons and neural networks. I'm researching them for one of my aforementioned books, so I thought I'd share a little of my new found knowledge with you.
The article is Neural Network Model Algorithm and is online now. Enjoy.
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
A round up of articles aimed at providing dynamic HTML and other web interactivity.
I remember when the web was nothing but a collection of statically linked hypertext documents with the odd image thrown in. Come to think of it, I remember looking at it sideways, as a step backwards, whilst Gophering my way through reams of information, and chatting online using Telnet. Very slowly.
Then someone started inventing bits and pieces of technology that made the web more interesting. It was more interesting because it became interactive.
Giving surfers the power to interact more made it both more usable, and entertaining, not to mention more straight up useful.
Now, we're often not even aware that the page is running along in the background falling over itself to enrich our experience. We've become blasé about the whole interactivity subject.
As programmers, though, it pays us to know how it's done, even if we just accept, as surfers, that it is there. So, here's a round-up of some AJAX related goodies, as we enter a new era of web interactivity.
Beginning AJAX
You'll want to bookmark this page, too, because here are some more traditional technologies explained:
Then someone started inventing bits and pieces of technology that made the web more interesting. It was more interesting because it became interactive.
Giving surfers the power to interact more made it both more usable, and entertaining, not to mention more straight up useful.
Now, we're often not even aware that the page is running along in the background falling over itself to enrich our experience. We've become blasé about the whole interactivity subject.
As programmers, though, it pays us to know how it's done, even if we just accept, as surfers, that it is there. So, here's a round-up of some AJAX related goodies, as we enter a new era of web interactivity.
Beginning AJAX
You'll want to bookmark this page, too, because here are some more traditional technologies explained:
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Lamenting the decline of the bedroom coder - perhaps we can bring them back?
This is an opinion piece. There - I said it. Now, I don't normally do these, but I've been busy writing some books of late, aimed at a particular segment of the computer using public, and I'm beginning to wonder how worthwhile the effort will eventually be.
You see, I want to bring back the bedroom coder. The hobby programmer. People who want to write programs because the machine in front of them will let them.
Back in the days of the Commodore 64, Spectrum 128, Atari ST and BBC Micro (for the UK audience, that last one) bedroom coders were prevalent. In fact, I'm guessing that most owners of these machines at least tried to write a program even if all it did was fill the screen with 'Hello World'.
Where are they now? Programming is still as fun as it always was, but it seems that there are less and less hobbyist coders around.
Perhaps we should start a campaign, here, to educate the PC owners worldwide in the joys of programming. Even if all you do is write a Windows application that draws random rectangles on the screen, the challenge will teach you something.
It might even teach you something about yourself.
You see, I want to bring back the bedroom coder. The hobby programmer. People who want to write programs because the machine in front of them will let them.
Back in the days of the Commodore 64, Spectrum 128, Atari ST and BBC Micro (for the UK audience, that last one) bedroom coders were prevalent. In fact, I'm guessing that most owners of these machines at least tried to write a program even if all it did was fill the screen with 'Hello World'.
Where are they now? Programming is still as fun as it always was, but it seems that there are less and less hobbyist coders around.
Perhaps we should start a campaign, here, to educate the PC owners worldwide in the joys of programming. Even if all you do is write a Windows application that draws random rectangles on the screen, the challenge will teach you something.
It might even teach you something about yourself.
Why Learn Programming Languages?
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
The top 5 reasons to read every article here on ComputerProgramming.Suite101.com and learn the valuable art of computer programming and programming languages.
I keep getting asked the same question: Why should I bother learning programming languages, or even want to know how to program?The answer is probably only applicable in layers - casual, part-time, professional - and different people want different things.
Casual Programmers
People who need to start doing some software programming to help in their occupation, plus those who just want to know how to program.
Part-Time Programmers
Those who offer custom services such as web programming and custom application programming on the side.
Professional
Anyone who is just getting started with programming, or who has had a first experience and needs to address a new technology.
There are also 5 very good ways to earn real money doing software programming, and this could be a great motivator in itself.
Custom Web Programming Services
People use the internet and want applications that are internet-ready. If a programmer can provide custom web programming services, and understand what the client really wants from it, then they will be able to offer those services on the general market.
Software Programming
Pure software programming means making applications for the end user. There is still quite a lot of business to be done in this area, although it may be being slowly eroded by open source software programming services.
Programming Training
Offering assistance to would-be programmers, especially in web programming and full software programming is very lucrative. Consider also bundling your knowledge up into interactive e-courses for the general public as an information product, and it could be a winner.
Freelance Programming
Building applications for third parties to resell is not as lucrative as other forms of programming services. However, freelance programming can bring in high usage and sale royalties if the deal is structured properly. Also freelance web programming projects are easy to come by on online talent auction web sites like RentACoder and eLance.
Programming Help
Offering on-demand programming help to people who have been burned by outsourced customer software programming projects (including web programming projects) is a good area to get started in. It can help to build a solid reputation.
Until next time;
Happy Coding!
Casual Programmers
People who need to start doing some software programming to help in their occupation, plus those who just want to know how to program.
Part-Time Programmers
Those who offer custom services such as web programming and custom application programming on the side.
Professional
Anyone who is just getting started with programming, or who has had a first experience and needs to address a new technology.
There are also 5 very good ways to earn real money doing software programming, and this could be a great motivator in itself.
Custom Web Programming Services
People use the internet and want applications that are internet-ready. If a programmer can provide custom web programming services, and understand what the client really wants from it, then they will be able to offer those services on the general market.
Software Programming
Pure software programming means making applications for the end user. There is still quite a lot of business to be done in this area, although it may be being slowly eroded by open source software programming services.
Programming Training
Offering assistance to would-be programmers, especially in web programming and full software programming is very lucrative. Consider also bundling your knowledge up into interactive e-courses for the general public as an information product, and it could be a winner.
Freelance Programming
Building applications for third parties to resell is not as lucrative as other forms of programming services. However, freelance programming can bring in high usage and sale royalties if the deal is structured properly. Also freelance web programming projects are easy to come by on online talent auction web sites like RentACoder and eLance.
Programming Help
Offering on-demand programming help to people who have been burned by outsourced customer software programming projects (including web programming projects) is a good area to get started in. It can help to build a solid reputation.
Until next time;
Happy Coding!
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Run-down of the current status of my project to introduce every aspect of Win32 programming in a tutorial article by article fashion.
It's been a while since I last updated the list of Win32 Programming articles here at Suite101. While I was thinking about how best to group them, it occurred to me that I could probably create a whole tutorial on getting started in Windows programming.
So, before I such off and document the entire Win32 API for you all, I thought I'd give you the current state of play. The following are broken down into areas. Eventually, each one will be a subtopic in an article designed to take the reader through the articles in a logical fashion. That being the definition of a tutorial.
Introduction to Windows Programming
GUI vs Console Programming
Windows and Win32 Programming
Anatomy of a Windows Application
The WinMain Function
Callback Functions : Example Using Timer Callback
Message Processing
Win32 Message Processing Primer
Processing WM_ Messages in Windows Applications
Intercepting Messages in Windows Programming
Child Windows
Using the Edit Control
Using ListBoxes Creatively
Dynamic Buttons
Dynamic User Interface Tips & Tricks
The remaining topic areas such as the mouse, GDI, and common dialog boxes will be fleshed out during the month of July.
Until the next time,
Keep on Programming
So, before I such off and document the entire Win32 API for you all, I thought I'd give you the current state of play. The following are broken down into areas. Eventually, each one will be a subtopic in an article designed to take the reader through the articles in a logical fashion. That being the definition of a tutorial.
Introduction to Windows Programming
GUI vs Console Programming
Windows and Win32 Programming
Anatomy of a Windows Application
The WinMain Function
Callback Functions : Example Using Timer Callback
Message Processing
Win32 Message Processing Primer
Processing WM_ Messages in Windows Applications
Intercepting Messages in Windows Programming
Child Windows
Using the Edit Control
Using ListBoxes Creatively
Dynamic Buttons
Dynamic User Interface Tips & Tricks
The remaining topic areas such as the mouse, GDI, and common dialog boxes will be fleshed out during the month of July.
Until the next time,
Keep on Programming
Posted by
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Guy Lecky-Thompson
Summary of the last three weeks of activity here on the Computer Programming topic, for those who haven't been here for a while...
So much goes on here at Suite 101, that sometimes we forget to actually post a blog. It's been a fairly complex three weeks, with suggestions and requests coming from all corners.
I've tried to nail down topics that people are actually interested in, and for the past few weeks three things have been coming up time and time again:
The topic has also been quite C-heavy of late, and some of our visitors have sent a message saying that they want to explore C++. Subsequently, I am going to introduce C++ to them over a few articles. When all the articles are posted, I'll put up a kind of tutorial overview to help guide people through the process. A good start, however, is the Getting Started in C++ Programming article.
Finally, someone mailed me about WordPress, and it got me to thinking that the links between PHP, CSS and HTML are not entirely understood. Publishers would benefit from a little bit more explanation about how programming and document creation are linked. So, to get the ball rolling, I decided to put together a little introduction article, I call the CSS and HTML Template Tutorial.
For those of you thinking that HTML and CSS is not exactly programming, please bear with me. It'll quickly get much more technical, I assure you.
Happy programming,
Guy
I've tried to nail down topics that people are actually interested in, and for the past few weeks three things have been coming up time and time again:
- Sorting
- HTML, CSS and PHP
- C++ Programming
The topic has also been quite C-heavy of late, and some of our visitors have sent a message saying that they want to explore C++. Subsequently, I am going to introduce C++ to them over a few articles. When all the articles are posted, I'll put up a kind of tutorial overview to help guide people through the process. A good start, however, is the Getting Started in C++ Programming article.
Finally, someone mailed me about WordPress, and it got me to thinking that the links between PHP, CSS and HTML are not entirely understood. Publishers would benefit from a little bit more explanation about how programming and document creation are linked. So, to get the ball rolling, I decided to put together a little introduction article, I call the CSS and HTML Template Tutorial.
For those of you thinking that HTML and CSS is not exactly programming, please bear with me. It'll quickly get much more technical, I assure you.
Happy programming,
Guy
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