Resources for Beginning Programmers

This page contains materials and links that will prove helpful to beginning programmers.

Your File System

• fileSystem.php offers sage advice on setting up your computer. Following it can save you volumes of torment.
• fs.pdf is a survival guide for NCSSMers (and just about any student) who operates out of a laptop computer.

The Command Line

Anyone wanting to become a serious programmer should be a proficient user of the command line. Resources are listed here for Mac/UNIX and Windoze users.

• Bucky's Command Line Tutorial for cmd will give you the essentials of navigating and managing your file system on a Windoze box. Bucky has a real knack for explaining things really well.
• s1A.pdf is a guide to using the UNIX command line. It is aimed at MacOSX and Linux users. It will also show you how to use the vi editor, which is the fastest way to turn thoughts into bytes. My YouTube Channel contains a playlist on UNIX. Open your terminal and play along. Mastering this art gives you serious nerd creds.

Text Editors

To program, you will need a text editor. I recommend VSCode. My document vscode.pdf is a from-scratch guide to installing VSCode and setting it up for programming in Python, Web Developent, and Java. It can be configured for just abut any language.

Web Development

Here are useful links for learning about Web Development.

• W3Schools has a host of useful materials for learning about HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
• The Validator (aka Sister Mary Rapaknuckle) will check your HTML for errors and help you correct them.
• The CSS Validator will check your CSS for syntax errors and help you clean them up.
• jshint will check your JavaScript for syntax errors and help you clean them up.

Python Programming

Here are more useful links for Python and Java Programming.

• Learn how to install Python on your lappy from Corey Schaefer. He covers both MacOSX and Windoze. He also takes you through the process of testing your install. In Windoze, make sure you click the box to update your PATH.
• Corey Shaefer's YouTube Channel has loads of great resources for learning Python.
• The Programning Python Page for more information.

Java Programming

The directory Java has information on installing a JDK on your computer and using javac and java compile and run java.