I'm trying to move away from VBA and Excel because I'm hitting limitations with what I can do there. I don't have much programming experience, but I'm managing a project at work and want to create a desktop or web-based application from scratch. I find myself asking, where do I actually write this code? Do I need a specific app to create an app? Is Java just a programming language or does it have its own environment? With only basic knowledge of VBA, what would you suggest as the best starting point for learning programming?
7 Answers
You write code in a text editor (like VSCode, super popular) or an IDE (IntelliJ for Java, for example). Java is indeed a programming language; you use an IDE to write it. Consider trying Python or JavaScript to see which one you like better!
You can write code in regular text files using any basic text editor, like Notepad. Then, to run that code, you need a compiler or an interpreter for the specific programming language you're using. For example, if you’re coding in Python, you’ll use a Python interpreter to run your `.py` files. However, it's much easier to use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like PyCharm for Python or Visual Studio for C/C++. IDEs have built-in tools to manage your projects and help with syntax.
It's true! I once worked at a company that only used basic text files with a custom language. It's definitely an option, even if it sounds old-fashioned.
Thanks for such a detailed answer!
For quick prototyping, Visual Basic is still available in Visual Studio, and it might be easy for you since you have experience with it. Just keep in mind that it's not widely used anymore. But hey, if you already know it, it could be a great way to simplify your process!
Most programmers use an IDE, which is basically a more advanced text editor with features that help you code. For Python, I recommend PyCharm, and for C/C++, Visual Studio works well. Just search online and you'll find plenty of options!
Thank you! This gives me a good starting point!
Basically, you need an IDE to help you out. I personally use Microsoft Visual Studio. It helps with syntax and debugging, making programming much smoother. You could use a text editor if you want, but I don't recommend it for beginners—getting an IDE is easier!
Haha, I remember the days of notepads! Glad we have IDEs now.
You might want to start with VS Code, it's beginner-friendly and can work with various languages. Install some extensions for whatever language you choose, and it’ll guide you through setting everything up.
Thanks for the suggestion!
You can also try some online tutorials to learn the basics, like Python. It's pretty straightforward, and there are tons of libraries to help with automation tasks. Consider checking out 'Automate the Boring Stuff' for an easy start.
That sounds perfect! I really need to automate some tasks.
Awesome, thanks for the info!