I'm thinking of writing a tale about a person of indeterminate gender who mostly lives as a woman. This person supports herself by writing code, sometimes nefariously. The world is well advanced into a threatening Global Warming cycle that has been happening for over three generations, and surprisingly humanity is so pressed to survive that wars and most criminality has stopped, but not before over half the population is gone.
One of my premises is that humans are struggling so hard to exist, using high tech means, that they don't have time for weapons of aggression. Surviving has pressed them into such intellectual activity that Evolution has started happening faster, and IQ numbers have doubled or more...
I want to be able to compose this story intelligently, so I'm thinking that perhaps it would be helpful if I were able to write at least some basic code. When I started with modern computers in the late 70's they were laughably primitive, using the 8088 chip. Previous to that I'd used huge IBM punch machines and collators; not actually computers IMHO. I'd gotten sort of competent with DOS, but in those days much of the software was a closely guarded secret.
Imagine my surprise to now find that lots of people are nearly begging others to learn to code, and there are dozens of ways to write it. I am not sure why this is happening, but it might work to eventually give hackers problems perhaps. At 72, my goal is not to write games and do financial miracles, but to understand some of the basics.
So, it seems likely that DOS is extinct. Where would you start to learn a very basic language.
Much peace
Gwen
Comments
Not code but structure and interdependency of systems?
I think that, unless you really want to create working programs as a side effect, you are better of learning how programs and code and systems all work together. That a little bit code in the right place can go a long way. By tying to other systems/programs/pieces of code together. Leveraging parts of both systems to combine into the required feature you need.
Anne Margarete
What coursework would you suggest.
I'd prefer to do something online, not attend a classroom. Youtube perhaps?
Gwen
I’ll see if I can find anything, accessible
I came by my knowledge the “hard way” that is years of practice. I will see if YouTube has something useful for entry level
Anne Margarete
A quick and dirty
Language is Python. Equally consider Ruby on Rails. Both are more ‘hacker’ languages than the more “corporate’ programmers who might use C# or C++.
Java is portable but slow whilst Visual Basic is for newbies and schoolies.
Persephone
Non sum qualis eram
Python then.
Thank you.
As an Electrician I learned some very rudimentary programming to use on Programmable Logic Controllers. I did seem to be the least able at that.
Gwen
I agree, python is great
It was created to be a language easy to learn.
another option besides python
would be perl
if you are running linux, a bsd or a mac you also have the option to truly go old-school with bash scripts. ( equivalent to dos bat files )
windows command prompt also supports dos bat files.
javascript is very common, very heavily used in websites. ( BC, facebook etc. would not work if you disabled it in your browser )
most languages have tons of free tutorials available online.
I would not recommend ruby on rails, since rails is a web application framework for the language ruby, making it harder to learn both at once.
PHP is another commonly used website scripting language, very very similar to c in syntax and code styling, intentionally so.
Stupidity is a capital offense. A summary not indictable.
Win 10 and HP
I'm one of those idiots that just run what comes in the box. I have a very casual interest in writing code.
Sorry
Gwen
Perl’s good but...
To be honest Gwen needs a language that fits her character rather than a new career. Both Python and Perl (and Ruby) fit her planned character. In literary terms it’s a bit like deciding if one’s femme fatale is French or Italian, or one’s gigalo is Spanish.
Versalimitude is great, but great story telling is better.
Gwen, have fun whatever you decide.
Persephone
Non sum qualis eram
Various considerations
You are quite right, thank you. As I think about the future situation that it at least 100 years from now, it seems plausible to me that a non Biblical Apocalypse might be fun to write. The author of "Ender's Game" got away with it. Just brainstorming here, perhaps Computer monitors will just be little hats that link directly with our brains? It seems likely that chips will be three dimensional.
We don't have much understanding what triggers Evolution, so my premis will be that struggle triggers growth, and in this case, extreme struggle over a long term causes increased brain capacity, and perhaps telepathy or gill development?
Peace
Gwen
Coding?
First is deciding on which language you want to learn. If you did some BASIC programming with DOS back in the day then I would suggest C, and C++ as they use similar line structure, commands and operators that you would have used in BASIC, therefore the learning curve wouldn't be so steep.
Most of what I learned in the various programming languages I've long since forgotten due to lack of use as the only things I commonly write are bat files and vbs scripts using notepad++.
Whatever language you choose, I'd stay away form Java as it's structure and commands are completely alien to other mainstream programming languages which would make other languages more difficult to learn.
We the willing, led by the unsure. Have been doing so much with so little for so long,
We are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
Special Physics and Particle Entanglement
Thank you all for your helpfulness. As I think about this and read about possible story parameters, I've found some information about Special Physics that is very interesting. It may be better to come at the plot from that point of view rather than learn more than minimal code.
Peace
Gwen
Best language to use
Nothing better for basic code than BASIC. :) Seriously, if you want to learn some coding, probably Object Pascal will teach you the ropes best. It not used much novadays, but is very understandable and suitable for learning the basics of the programming. Also, the quality of the textbook you are using might be more important than the language - learn what language teaches the best textbook you can lay your hands on.
The language your character uses is a part of her description, exactly as much as the human language she uses. You can't just pick any.
You can code nefariously in most languages, but not all feel the same to the reader. In addition, for story purpose you'd like it to be slightly exaggerated, much like actors slightly exaggerate feelings to convey them better. That leaves you with a mix of C and some assembly language.
If you want, I can write the code pieces for you and help with the computer-related vocabulary. Just give me the context.
Another thing: nefarious coders often tend to be hardcore geeks. That includes dry, snarky and nasty humor, somewhat sociopathic attitude and slightly autistic personality. Even if your character is not this type, she will have to present before the peers in this way, it is the socially accepted in such circles.
After two years of not writing code...
I've started again. I decided to make a clean brake from it when I retired.
Now, I'm back to my first love DEC PDP-11 Assembler. None of these fancy dandy languages that need 1Gb of memory to run all the frameworks. I spent 20 years working for DEC in the UK.
This PDP-11 is an emulator that runs on a Raspberry Pi. The 'machine' even has a proper front panel with switches and flashing lights.
I shall have some fun this winter... (once the decorating is done). I had to build it from a kit of parts! I'd forgotten how much soldering sucks!
Back on topic
Gwen,
There are plenty of free courses out there BUT given your last comment about running what came with the PC, you are going to be out of luck.
Windows comes with nothing in the way of programming languages apart from the old and venerable DOS command line and a new fangled thing that drives even seasoned professionals mad.
You are going to have to install some tools no matter what you decide to do.
I'd take a look at some of the more popular programming units of Computer Science courses. Have a look at what they cover and what is expected of you when taking the unit. Compare and contrast before taking the plunge.
If you need some assistance, please send a PM in my direction. In 40+ years as a software developer a few things stuck around.
Samantha
Quantum Physics
As I work up this tale I see that perhaps it should be written from the point of view of a person who can't do Algebra well, and finds Calculus to be impossible, but finds Quantum Physics to be an irresistible toy. It was not until she was entering her teens that she found that the metaphysical toy that she loved was called Quantum Physics especially centered on particle entanglement.
Hmmm, the plot develops.