Linux Format forums

Mandelbrot · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 1:34 am Post subject: References?

As a newbie, what reference material would be most valuable to me? I am trying to learn about PCs, Linux, and to get started in coding.

What language would you recommend to learn first? I have seen several recommendations - Python and Java particularly.

Thanks for your time.
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Mandelbrot
"Your life is an occasion, rise to it."
- Mr. Magorium in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

lok1950 · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 1:48 am Post subject:

There is always the Linux Documentation Project and RUTE both have been on past LXF discs if you don't have the old disc just Google them Cool

that will give you most of the Linux and PC info you will need.As for the choice between Python and Java try Python first as it is usually installed by default on most current distros and is a touch easier to Grok than Java.

Enjoy the Choice Smile

johnhudson · LXF regular Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:37 pm Posts: 767

A lot does depend on what you intend to do but I have found that careful reading of LXF is one of the best ways to learn; Python has the advantage that there are local groups of Python users whose expertise you could tap.

Mandelbrot · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice. I will indeed Google the Linux Documentation Project and RUTE (which I have to admit is something I have never heard of before).

So far I am finding Linux much easier to use than Windows was. For example, Thunderbird was easier to set up than Windows Mail. Previously, all I ever really used my home PC for was internet and email. I am quickly finding new ways to play at home.
_________________
Mandelbrot
"Your life is an occasion, rise to it."
- Mr. Magorium in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

guy · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 2:24 pm Post subject:

would echo johnhudson's comment that the best language depends on what you want to program for.

If you are unsure, python is a good general-purpose choice.
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The eternal noob

Bruno · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:03 pm Post subject:

Hi All,

You'll need some help organising and documenting your work, too. On the organisational front, I'd recommend "Pragmatic Version Control Using Git" by Travis Swicegood, published by The Pragmatic Bookshelf (Rayleigh, NC USA & Dallas, TX USA). It was reviewed in LXF 118.

If you are unfamiliar with the concept, a Version Control System (of which Git is an example) allows the programmer to save many snapshots of the work at key stages along with a note about what was changed/added since the last snapshot and why. There is a little more to it than that, but organising your work and tracking changes is essential in all but the most elementary of projects. The notes you make with each commitment of code will help with producing a change log and writing documentation for the project.

Working through the first five chapters (they're quite short, actually) will get you going, the examples are easy and mainly concern creating and editing simple html files, so you don't have to learn code at the same time as learning git. It may at first seem like an emcumberance at first to faff about with recording and annotating changes but stick with it and you'll find it becomes second nature, it won't slow you down and you'll thank yourself for it later. Once you are comfortable using git, do carry on with the book as Git is very powerful and you'll get more out of it. Finally, good luck!

guy · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:01 pm Post subject:

Dutch_Master · LXF regular Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:49 am Posts: 2353

I have a number of books on Linux on my bookshelf, of which the "Unix and Linux Administration Handbook" (4th edition) is probably the most useful to you. It explains how to set up a Linux system in better detail (not just "click here then put in that and click again" but explaining what's what, why it's so and what options it has), dives into a more advanced sys-admin mode with backgrounds of networking, etc., and touches on programming (more: shell scripting). Published by Prentice Hall, with a foreword of Tim O'Reilly, chairman of the competing (!!) O'Reilly empire: he basically said that he doesn't pay much attention to their competitors, but this book he considers a measuring stick for his company... Shocked

ISBN: 9780131 480056

Coding is a whole different ballgame. The best way is to do it yourself and see what changes affect the outcome of the program you wrote. LXF had a special on coding, but the best source for learning to code, is studying some-one else's code. Try to understand why the coder has done things in a certain way, then try to alter that behaviour to see if you grasped the concept, and at the same time, finding a more efficient way of getting the results, if there is one. Which in term you could submit to the coder for inclusion, should (s)he wish so. And presto, before you know it, you've submitted your first patch on your way to geekhood Very Happy

However, don't get too much ahead of yourself, start with simple stuff.... You wouldn't be the first to be put off by sinking teeth in more then could be chewed... Rolling Eyes

lok1950 · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 3:32 am Post subject:

As DM say the learning curve can look like a cliff at times but there are lots of online references that you can hammer into that cliff face for hand and foot holds,and don't be afraid to ask questions here or any other forum that welcomes you most of us in the Open Source movement are always looking for new hackers for the project that we are involved in Very Happy

Enjoy the Choice Smile

Ram · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:58 am Post subject:

If you are an absolute beginner regarding programming then you may find this book useful

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1435455002
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Bruno · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:09 pm Post subject: