[Ganesh]

Hi, I want to use my free time to learn C language and master if possible. I need an Online or any Guide that is thorough and detailed for someone new in the coding world.

[Adelaid]

Google MOOC EDX CS50 it’s a free video course and they teach C

[Adelaid]

If you want to get serious don’t watch video tutorials but read a book and program.

accu.org/index.php?module=bookreviews&func=browse

I don’t know why you are choosing C but I can tell you that the only way to get good a programming is reading and programming. Stay away from video tutorial and read the books with the highest score on Accu and, most importantly, program as much as you can. Other great links for C

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/562303/the-definitive-c-book-guide-and-list
https://github.com/vhf/free-programming-books/blob/master/free-programming-books.md#c

[ShikhaTan]

You don’t have to start with C. C is somewhat dead compared to other languages. If you want the basics you can still start with Java, C++, Python, Ruby etc. etc. The best language for you is the answer to this question:”What type of programs I want to do?”. If you want to program system stuff: C, C++, D, Rust will be okay. If you want to do some simple desktop apps then Java, C#, Go, Python will be the most suited etc. etc.

Start with one language and when you feel comfortable programming in it then switch to another language. If you plan to work in this industry you have to know different technologies. The fact that you have to start with C it’s a myth and can be very counterproductive. If you want an unorthodox guide you can read “Learn C the hard way”, it makes you program from the beginning.

One of the most common error of people starting is to only read/watch tutorial without programming. Everything that you read will be useless if you don’t apply it. Ask yourself what software you want to develop and pick the best suited language for it. If you don’t know what to choose, if you tell me what you want to do I can suggest you which language and books to pick.

[Amit]

C is a wonderful place to start. It offers the opportunity to stomp all over memory, to forget about automatic variables, etc. and consequently it instills a level of discipline none of the other hold-your-hand languages require. It is the starting point for most modern programming languages and it doesn’t have a set of classes that will do the work for you. Basically, you have to program when you use C.

[Adan]

I’m looking to learn programming as well and am interested in starting with Java and going from there. Would this be a good language to start in if I’ve never programmed before? Also, everyone says to read and do the programming in lieu of watching videos. How do I know where to begin programming? Is there software I need to download and tutorials on how to start? I’ve looked at the Java website and read through the training there. I’ve also started reading Java For Dummies. But where do I go to start actually doing the programming and what do I program for?

[ShikhaTan]

As long as you choose the correct language to start you won’t have any problem. But remember that Java lacks a lot of things found in C. You can start the same with Java, but remember that to be a competent programmer you have to learn the things needed in C too. For some aspects C force you to program your solution yourself. If you read only tutorials and use only code written by other, like a lot of people do with Java, you will learn very little. You have to program yourself in order to really learn.

http://eclipsesource.com/blogs/2012/09/18/must-reads-for-java-developers-from-beginner-to-professional-2/
http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/91629/best-java-book-you-have-read-so-far
http://www.javacodegeeks.com/2011/10/top-10-java-books-you-dont-want-to-miss.html

Start with books that treat the basics of programming in Java, and after you have enough concepts start to program straight. After some time that you can tackle easily the easy challenges, concentrate on serious projects and read books aimed at improving your programming choices.