Cover image for Beginning programming for dummies
Title:
Beginning programming for dummies
Author:
Wang, Wally.
ISBN:
9780764508356
Personal Author:
Edition:
2nd ed.
Publication Information:
New York, NY : Hungry Minds, ©2001.
Physical Description:
xxii, 398 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm + 1 computer optical disc (4 3/4 in.).
Series:
--For dummies

--For dummies.
General Note:
Includes index.
Contents:
Learning computer programming for the first time -- All about programming languages -- How to write a program -- The tools of a computer programmer -- Getting your hands on a real language: Liberty BASIC -- Handling input and output -- Variables, constants, and comments -- Crunching numbers and playing with strings -- making decisions with control statements -- Repeating yourself with loops -- Writing large programs by using subprograms -- Drawing pictures and making noise -- Saving and retrieving stuff in files -- Creating a user interface -- Debugging programs -- Storing stuff in arrays -- Lumping related data in records -- Linked lists and pointers -- Playing with object-oriented programming -- Sorting -- Searching -- Optimizing your code -- Playing with HTML -- Making interactive web pages with JavaScript -- Using Java applets on web pages -- Programming in Python -- Ten cool programming careers -- Ten additional programming resources.
Electronic Access:
Table of contents http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/toc/wiley021/00112169.html

Summary

Despite popular belief, anyone can learn to program a computer. Computer programming doesn't require a high IQ and an innate proficiency in advanced mathematics. All that's required is a desire to learn and the patience to never give up.

If you've ever dreamed of writing your own programs, rest assured that you can. Programming can be a lot of fun, but it can also be frustrating, annoying, and time-consuming. And that's why you need Beginning Programming For Dummies, 2nd Edition  - to help you discover how to program a computer with the minimum amount of inconvenience and the maximum amount of enjoyment.

Now, enjoyment can go only so far. In fact, not many people program just for the fun of it; usually, they want to create a program to do something unique to their lives, or perhaps they'd like to make a little cash on the side by selling their programs as shareware. If you've always wondered how you could do what so many others have done, all you have to do is plug into Beginning Programming For Dummies, 2nd Edition, to find out how. Here's just a sample of the topics you'll find covered:

Deciphering the mystery of the various programming languages Assembling and working with programming tools Getting inside a programming language: Liberty BASIC Programming basics: From variables, constants, and comments to strings, control statements, and loops Creating user interfaces for your programs Dealing with data structures Playing with object-oriented programming Debugging and optimizing your code Top Ten lists on the top programming careers and additional resources

So no matter what operating system platform you use - whether it's Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Palm OS, or Pocket PC -  Beginning Programming For Dummies, 2nd Edition, can walk you through the basics of programming and get you well on your way to becoming a programming wizard!