C++ as a first language [closed]

Answer 1

C++ is a very useful tool and I do often consider mastery of C++ a mark of distinction just because it is such a crazy language.

My advice is learn another language too like python or scheme at the same time. I programmed C++ for quite a long time but when I started learning scheme python and subsequently haskell a whole new world of thinking opened up to me. It is easy to get into the mind set that C++ can do everything and do it faster so therefore there is no point in learning another language.

Basically the faster you can load the more concepts and methods of programming into your head the more awesome you will be at raw problem solving.

One of the funnest quarters I had in college was a class that studied discrete math and functional programming with scheme which was immediately followed by a class that studied computer hardware architecture and used assembly.

Answer 2

You will make mistakes in any language that you begin to learn. Some languages may have less pitfalls to watch out for, some may have quite a few. Whatever be the language, you are sure to invent your own pitfalls. Now that you have spent about 4 months, I'd suggest you carry on. A switch now may make things more difficult given the fact now you have two things to accomplish:

• Unlearn C++
• Learn language X from scratch

Answer 3

C++ was the first language I ever did much with. I played with BASIC a bit in middle school, but never really did anything more substantial than a "I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 100" game. I didn't have a whole lot of trouble with C++, but I wasn't self-teaching. In High School, an AP Computer Science class was offered, and we used C++ at the time (College Board was doing the exam in C++; they have since switched to Java, I think). I think it's fine as a first language (or nearly first, in my case), as long as you have a good teacher.

If you're self-teaching, I think you would get more out of Python. You can play with stuff right in a REPL, so there is a lot more instant gratification. The language itself is also a lot more strict in its enforcement of language idioms, which will help you learn the "right" way to do things. C++ won't get in your way if you try to do something the wrong way, and, especially if you don't have a teacher to tell you what you're doing wrong and how to fix it, you will tend to develop some bad habits.

Answer 4

any language is a good first language (within reason, not something like lolcode)

once you get the hang of how it works, it becomes easier to branch out to other languages.

Answer 5

Personally, I think everybody should start with BASIC. No, really I do. At least first the first 2 weeks to 1 month. It's great for high school courses. It's simple enough that you can focus on very simple things like using variables, looping structures, conditionals, and calling subroutines without having to worry about frameworks, objects, and pointers. However, if you've already gotten past all that simple stuff, there's no reason you can't just keep on going with C++. It's a great language. And very useful. I think that people who have never programmed in C/C++ are really missing out on some fundamental things you should know about how things work on a lower level.

Answer 6

Go, go, go! Everybody is gonna love you for reiterating their early-on efforts and see themselves in you etc. All the sentimentals aside, yes personally i think you should. You will have much better credibility and hence self-esteem.