Should I learn java or C++ first?

[NaturalViolence]

Quote:I just don't understand how a neuron can store data if it passes away every information it receives (the brain neurons).

The data/memories are stored in the connections that the neurons form with neighboring neurons. You can think of each potential connection as a 0 or 1 based on whether the neuron makes it. It's hard to explain since the way the brain works is so different from how RAM works. Neurons aren't on or off, they don't psychically store anything. The memories exist as a unique combinations of connections between neighboring neurons.

You can read all about this if you just do a quick google search: https://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=neural+network#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&safe=off&source=hp&q=how+brain+stores+memory&pbx=1&oq=how+brain+stores+memory&aq=f&aqi=g1g-b1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=5476l8983l0l9193l23l16l0l4l4l1l537l3091l3.9.0.3.0.1l20l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=a832e4bee034e5be&biw=1920&bih=1075

[RodriguezF]

Great reading!

[delroth]

(12-15-2011, 08:59 PM)Garteal Wrote: IMO since you're just starting out, you should start with c++ if you really want to.
The syntaxes etc and coding standards are different from each other (Python and C++)
You will only get confused when you take the transition.

Only humans have an infinite amount of storage

You're assuming that syntax is important when learning programming. In fact, if you know how to program in Python you can translate most of your skills to C++ very easily: learning syntax is a really easy thing compared to learning the whole logic and paradigm which comes with imperative programming.

Also, there is no difference between "scripting" and "normal" languages. The distinction is completely artificial and you can do as much with Python as you can do with C++ or Java.

[Runo]

@NV

So turns out you know everything about like, everything, not only about computer stuff..

My Godness.... thought you said we didn't have an infinite amount of memory

[NaturalViolence]

Quote:Also, there is no difference between "scripting" and "normal" languages. The distinction is completely artificial and you can do as much with Python as you can do with C++ or Java.

Although I agree with that second sentence I must point out that there IS a distinction between normal and scripting languages as far as commonly accepted definitions are concerned. As I'm sure you know the term scripting language is usually used to refer to a language that is interpreted rather than compiled. And while that doesn't stop you from doing much nor is it necessarily a bad thing it is still a distinction none the less.

Quote:So turns out you know everything about like, everything, not only about computer stuff..

I know how to read and I know how to find stuff (google). And like most people that have grown up in an intellectually stimulating environment I spent most of my childhood learning everything I could about everything that I was exposed to. I showed a genuine interest/curiosity in learning more about nearly everything and devoured any book that I got my hands on (didn't have internet access until I was 15). And like everyone else on the planet my knowledge is not confined to a single subject. I also developed critical thinking/logic skills, which as far as I'm concerned are more important to have than any knowledge about any subject could possibly be. But knowing that human memory capacity is limited shouldn't require any of those things, it should just be common sense. Sure reading a biology/anatomy/psychology textbook would help to some degree, and having an understanding of neurobiology would help even more but it should still be common sense as far as I'm concerned.

But we're wwwaaayyy off topic so I'm going to shut up now.

[delroth]

(12-18-2011, 04:05 PM)NaturalViolence Wrote:

Quote:Also, there is no difference between "scripting" and "normal" languages. The distinction is completely artificial and you can do as much with Python as you can do with C++ or Java.

Although I agree with that second sentence I must point out that there IS a distinction between normal and scripting languages as far as commonly accepted definitions are concerned. As I'm sure you know the term scripting language is usually used to refer to a language that is interpreted rather than compiled. And while that doesn't stop you from doing much nor is it necessarily a bad thing it is still a distinction none the less.

Java, C# and Python are run the same way: compiled to bytecode then interpreted by a VM. Would you call Java and C# scripting languages?

[shuffle2]

The real answer is to find something you want to do with a computer and then figure out what tools you must use to solve the problem. Relying on other people's preferences will just get you stuck in the beginning stages and not let you do cool stuff. Learn what is the best for your purposes as you go, grasshopper.

[BlinkHawk]

(12-15-2011, 08:40 PM)Zee530 Wrote: If it can serve as a foundation for holding up c++ and other languages, i dont mind giving it a go, cause honestly c++ is probably what i'll be using most and a little SQL for web designing.

I just dont want to learn too many languages and confusing myself in the end, cause i believe human beings operate the same way as computers, dont want to get my hard-drive filled with unnecessary info

if you want web programming, C++ is definetly not an option (unless you use CGI, but meh, too much work is not really that needed). I suggest you go with PHP, Java (JSP), Ruby On Rails or Jango (Python).

And don't worry about learning a lot of languages. I've learned around 22 languages of different paradigns and uses and I'm still not confused. It's just finding what fits best to your needs.

[Zee530]

"22 languages"? are you human? anyways i've decided to start with python then c++

[Runo]

(12-19-2011, 06:10 AM)Zee530 Wrote: "22 languages"? are you human?

Once you get the general programming logic it's not so hard to learn more languages, it gets rather easy. Still, 22 is kinda impressive to me...