Mail Archives: djgpp/1998/09/12/22:32:24
I just saw this thread and thought I might contribute my $0.02 to this. I
myself just turned 15 last month. I've been working on and off in C
programming for since a month before I turned 14. Once upon a time, I
knew BASIC, but I've since forgotten it. So I am learning C from scratch.
According to various sources I've read, C is not 'beginner's language'.
However, after relearning bits and pieces of Basic, I've found them to be
similar.My point is that no matter how hard something is said to be
ANYONE can learn almost ANYTHING if they are sufficently motivated, have
sufficent time, resources, patience, and approach it smartly. What I mean
by that by building a base of knowledge and learning prerequisitings. For
example teaching trig to 5 year old would be impossible, however, if you
first taught him arithmatics, then algerbra and geometry, you could.
As for how I learned C (this is what the thread is about, no?), I think I
had a good approach. I was first introduced to C & DJGPP when I attended
a computer day camp at a local museam. The ComSci part of this camp was
basically run by two Freshmen (one going to MIT). They introduced me to
programming, and explained the basics of C (eg. this is a function,
functions are bounded by {}s, a ; goes at the end of each string.)Then,
camp ended, and I was on my own. I dl'ed DJGPP and worked on and off on
my own. As for learning new stuff, I learned as I needed to. For one of
my first projects, I needed to use the random() and srandom() functions.
So I learned them. When questions came up, I asked here, on comp.lang.c,
or to a friend at Yale. That's another thing. FInd a program through a
local universtiy. They're often happy to pair foreign students up with
locals. I also met several classmates interested in the same thing. We've
begun to help each other
As I needed new functions, I learned them. If I didn't I didn't. As my
projects got more and more complex, I learned more. I'm going to buy one
of those big hulking books from the bookstore to use as a reference. When
I run into problems, I'll ask here or elsewhere for help.
I'm not taking any ComSci classes at my high school for a few reasons.
First, the only class I can take as a somphmore is easy and in BASIC.
Second, I might try to take the AP Computer Science exam next year (you
have to be a junior to take an AP exam). If ANYONE has taken it, tell me
what its like & what's on it (like what language its in [eg Pascal, C,
C++] and what concepts are on it). If I can't take the AP exam ('cause
its in Pascal or whatnot), I'm going to take a class at Yale (My school
has a Co-op arrangement with Yale so I can take classes there for College
AND High School Credit). If anyone has any advice email me please!!!
That's it. Thanks for reading my little manifesto.
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