sestdiena, 2014. gada 27. decembris

Setting up the software to write the code for C

        First things first. Before you start coding, you have to set up a place where to code. There are many software's for writing code. I use codebocks and I'm going to show you how to set up codeblocks.
        Type in Google "Codeblocks" and click on the website codeblocks.com...duhh...
        Next on top menu press Downloads --> Download the binary release
        Pick the version for your operating system, I use Windows7 so I downloaded this version "codeblocks-13.12mingw-setup.exe" this is the most stable one. It doesn't matter from what source you download it.
        Then do the basic install process when it is done run the program if it doesn't auto-run.
        Then create a new project either by clicking the "New project" button on the start menu. Or click File - > New -> Project when it opens new window choose "Console application" and press Go.
        Then go trough the setup process remember to choose C when asked for language. Then enter the title and choose a folder where you want to save the projects. Press next when settings are show DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING. And press Finish. Annnd Shabaam you have a new project.
        Well we are almost done. Now you have a grey screen. Just look at the left side of the screen and under the "Project name" -> Sources  there is this thing called main.c double click that and you are ready to rock'n'roll.

Any questions just ask in the comments.

otrdiena, 2014. gada 23. decembris

Starting programming - Where and How.

        IF you are planning to start programming but really don't know where to start then my story might help you.
        When I was thinking about starting programming I wasn't really sure what I needed to learn as well. As we know there are many programming languages, like C, C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, PHP etc., and all they serve for a different purpose.
        For me it was actually really simple, I was looking at all the languages and they had some similarities in them, not some actually a lot. So I figured that there must be one language from where most of them originated and I was right. I did a little research and it came down to C programming language. Everything else originates from this language.
        I started looking for resources from witch I can learn C programming. First I started at youtube.com. Just by typing in "C programming tutorials" you can actually find some great tutorials out there. For me this was too little knowledge, they tell you everything, but don't explain things in depth. It seemed like when you write the code, you just basically copy from what they tell you and after that you know what you remember.
        So I decided that I want something more. I started looking at books. After few minutes of research I came down to this book called "C programming: A modern approach 2nd edition" by K.N.King. The book is over 832 pages long, but don't let that scare you off. If you are serious about programming this book is for you.
         Now that I'm creating this blog I've gotten to page 195. It is not easy I have to tell that. The book explains everything. Then gives exercises (theory) and after few exercises it gives you programming exercises (practical). It is amazing, because you learn how everything works and then you apply the knowledge, best way to learn. And the best thing is that These exercises and programming projects come after every chapter. (I'm in chapter 8 now), so you don't have to read a lot to start learning.

        After I finish this book, I will do some more C programming projects just to make my knowledge stronger and then move on to learning a new language. And by this creating my knowledge about programming.
        I advise you to do the same if you are serious, if you are just playing around then pick whichever language you want and learn that.

Good Luck guys.
Any questions? Drop in comments.