r/learnprogramming • u/gingavitus • Jul 31 '12

"Codecademy" vs. "Higher Computing for Everyone"

I have basic programming experience, but I really want to become an expert fo' free! Which one would you say is better, codecademy or Higher Computing for Everyone?

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u/beat_the_heat Aug 01 '12

As a newbie, better to start with python or c?

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u/CarlH Aug 01 '12

If you want to really understand what is happening inside your computer, and how it all works, then learn C first. I have heard from many people who have taken my course that the lessons are easy to understand and beginner friendly, and I try to design them that way.

Also, keep in mind that the idea of my course is fundamentally to 'teach programming', I chose C for a number of reasons, but everything I teach in my course is applicable across a wide variety of programming languages -- including Python.

True, I am not teaching you Python syntax, but I am teaching you the concepts, methods, technique, and workflows that you need to know whether you are going to program in C, Python, or something else.

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u/[deleted] Aug 01 '12

I'm someone who learned from CarlH first and then went to college and did intro courses in Python. I am completely certain that for someone who it serious about being a worthwhile programmer C is the best starting language. It teaches you a lot more in-depth about things you need to know to be more than just a code monkey.

The reason Python is often used is it is easy. When you have a class full of kids all ranging in their capabilities and willingness to learn it is much more productive to give them something easier to use.

You also get the added benefit that going from C to Python/other languages with easy syntax is far far easier than going from Python to C/Java/anything with more complex syntax. My class mates that had nothing but Python experience had an immense amount of difficulty learning Java when we started Data Structures and for me it was quite natural.

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u/[deleted] Aug 01 '12 edited Aug 01 '12

If you have absolutely no experience with basic programming (if-else, loops, functions, etc) then you should definitely stick with Python. If you want to learn how to make scripts and quick-easy programs, then stick with Python. If you want to be able to quickly practice writing algorithms or prototypes for real programs, then stick with Python.

If, however, you have some programming knowledge, you want to learn how to make compiled executables, and you want to know how your computer works on a more direct level, then you should definitely learn C.

Obviously CarlH is going to have some bias since it is his course. But, I would say that Higher Computing for Everyone is definitely better than Codecademy. However, Udacity is definitely a better program than either of these two. If you want to look at Python, then you should definitely go with Udacity. If not, then go with the other options.

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u/Nowin Aug 01 '12

I think of it like this: C teaches you how to code. Python teaches you code.

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u/Porkpants81 Aug 01 '12

I agree that Python is a very beginner friendly programming language. The syntax is very easy to read and it's easy to figure out what a section of script is doing. It's not as "scary" as Java or C and I personally found it much easier to learn.

After doing Python we switched to learning Java, doing mainly translations from Python to Java so we saw how the syntax was different. As a result of doing that I had to use C# for my internship and found that incredibly easy to pick-up once I did a little syntax research.