Is learning Java as a first language a bad idea? if so what would you recommend?

Hello, would learning Java as a first language be ok? If not why and what would you recommend? I want to start with "main line" languages, I have learned some python but feel like its more of a waste of time because its not really being used in the computer world (or atleast it seems like) for example python programs can only be used if someone else has python installed. I think it is good for learning how programs work but I feel like I'm not really going anywhere learning it, I know it will take long to learn Java, or any C language but at least I can be making programs that everyone can use easily and be headed in a better direction if i go to college for it. Correct me if I'm wrong, after all I'm just a beginner but thats how I feel...

Is learning Java as a first language a bad idea? if so what would you recommend?
the basic programing language is the first language you want to learn because it is what is incorporated to everything else.
Reply:Java is a good language to learn as a first language. I know that from experience and my language portfolio has grown ever since. You do however need to install Java still to run in although it can be installed easily on many systems and the Java will automatically handle most of the code changes e.g. in user interfaces and their appearance.





There are loads of materials out there on Java and you can create programs in a matter of seconds once Java is installed. I found a good start was the 'Java in Easy Steps' book, it dives right in to programming and gets you started.
Reply:A lot of programming languages are "only good if (it) is installed" so don't let that deter you. There's a big move towards .NET and that framework has to be installed! Albeit, windows update will take care of that.





Java is a good first language because of 3 reasons. It's relevant, it's fairly easy, and its syntax is found in other languages.





I started with BASIC, and I've never been able to get my head around anything but QBasic and then Visual Basic. A base like Java should help you get your head around C++, etc.





BASIC is by no means incorporated into everything else.
Reply:Yes, surely you can. I'm a computer engineering student, and for the first year, we had a course named "Introduction to Programming %26amp; Algorithms". For this course, we started with Java and believe me, since you got the idea of programming, and a little about Object Oriented, it's so easy.


You can learn it by reading a book, or tutorials from the net. I don't think it'll take too much time to learn. It's graphical things take a little time but important thing is to get the idea. If you have already practised loops, if-else conditions etc (in Pyhton for example), it'd be more easier for you.


Take it easy! :)
Reply:What worked best for me was starting a the very bottom....


machine (1's and 0's)


then got to assembly uses words to implement the (1's and 0's)


both are very low level (more understandable for the computer)


then move to higher level


C, a little of C++, then Java





It really makes you appreciate the numerous tools that higher level languages do.





This is what would happen if you did Electrical or Computer engineering at the University of Texas...(machine, assembly, C, C++, java)





a good book to look at to learn more about low level programming is :


introduction to computing systems


from bits and gates to C and beyond


by Yale Patt





that book will keep you busy for awhile... good luck
Reply:The simple answer is yes. But to go on.





Java is a an Object Oriented language so firstly you need to understand the concepts associated with this prior to learning the language. Now if you've learnt this with Python you should be OK. If not, then there is a learning curve to firstly learn these concepts.





It is also a good language to learn since you can usually begin coding up quite rapidly with minimal understanding of areas such as "pointer" errors, though not completely. It someways it is more forgiving then languages such as C and C++. The other advantages is that a compiler is basically available for most platforms and doesn't cost the earth (just a download) and is used in a number of corporate projects to integrate systems.





In terms, of what is used on the Internet though Perl and Python seemed to be used more often but that shouldn't stop you learning Java. In the short term 3-5 years it should provide a good career in a programming role and assist you to learn up other languages.