Javascript is a terrible first language. If you are serious about this, then you should start with a multi-purpose language and then refine from there.

Java/C++ (Java is a bit friendlier to newbies) are the intro languages of choice.

I don't think it's that bad except being oddly explicit to web development which many of the things you learn will not come into play else where.

If he has Mac OS X Yosemite or uses a Gnome DE he can use JavaScript for system automation.

https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/releasenotes/InterapplicationCommunication/RN-JavaScriptForAutomation/index.html

https://developer.gnome.org/gnome-devel-demos/stable/beginner.js.html.en

Also, JavaScript is making its way into mobile development, oddly enough, I really don't see the attraction.

Know of any good (and reasonably priced) books for either of those languages? Or of any websites that run through a series tutorial-esque objectives similar to khanacademy?

The progression on khanacademy seems nice so far I should be able to power through their assignments in the next 3-4 days if I don't hit a brick wall somewhere.





Well I would like to be able to create websites with varying features but not be restricted to that as I like the concepts of AI and databases/big data (tried watching more vids similar to the decision tree one I posted but they were a bit over my head atm). I REALLY enjoyed that first vid tho).



Win 7; would probably struggle to install another OS right now lol.

Perhaps the availability of material to learn Js online is driving dev traffic that way?

Think of it this way, every web browser is a JavaScript interpreter, whether we like it or not it is the best way of interacting with a browser.

It is also insanely fast since V8

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V8_(JavaScript_engine)

I hate this question. It is by far the most annoying question I get asked by newbies. They always want books. Why? What are you expecting to find in a book that isn't outdated from the moment of first issue? Programming books are absolutely worthless.

It's 2014. Google. Everything in those books is available online, up-to-date, for free, and in greater abundance of detail.

For a noob, like me, books are a good reference to have on hand. I have many books that have helped me along in places where the internet failed, though I got them from the internet, heh. I think they're necessary for learning fundamentals missed in random stackoverflow threads or things you wouldn't have guessed on your own but it is necessary that you are writing things out, not skimming over the exercises, and figuring things out on your own.

There are some very awesome reads out there that should be mandatory for certain languages, I wouldn't write them off, I know not everyone likes reading but not every millennial has ADHD.

NOT PROGRAMMING BOOKS. I didn't say books in general are useless. Books are amazing for things that don't change, or stay the same for long periods of time. Like theory. One of the greatest books I have ever owned is my Introduction to Algorithms book. But, again, that isn't a programming book. I am talking about a book that is written to cover a specific version of a language. Why the hell would you want to drop a bunch of money into books on .NET 3.0, and then have to do it all again for .NET 3.5, and then again for 4.0, and then again for 4.5, etc, etc, etc, etc. Programming languages are ever-evolving. They do not stay the same. Everything aboutt he language can, and often does, change dramatically through multiple revisions and improvements.

This is why the internet is king when it comes to reference guides and tutorials for programming language learning.

I think learning the languages as they evolve is much more sensible once you have a general understanding of coding/programming, but learning initially is easier (for me anyway) with a physical book (especially with only one screen).

On that note what good online resources do you use? I'd definitely like to accumulate useful links/sources/material.

Today's progress:

Learned about basic animations in Javascript, text and strings, and functions.

I made it through all the exercises in those areas but don't think I could code them from 'scratch' without guidance.

Multi-level functions are a bit confusing for me right now and I will definately need to keep practicing/studying them until I can mentally map/understand them much easier.


Animation basics
Learn how to animate your drawings.

Intro to Animation
Challenge: Exploding Sun
Mouse Interaction
Challenge: Tasty Tomato
Project: Crazy Painter
Incrementing Shortcuts
A shorter shortcut
Challenge: Parting Clouds
Using Math Expressions
Project: Public Transportation

Text and Strings
Learn how to display text on the canvas, resize it, color it, and animate it.

Terrific Text: Part One
Challenge: My Favorite Foods
Terrific Text: Part Two
Challenge: Mouse Tracker
Review: Text and Strings
Project: Ad Design

Functions
Make your code more re-usable by grouping it into functions, and then make those functions accept parameters and return values.

Functions
Challenge: Say Your Name
Function Parameters
Challenge: Moles in Holes
Function Return Values
Challenge: Calculator
Special ProcessingJS Functions
Local and Global Variables
Review: Functions

still have one optional project under functions that I will try tomorrow before going on to the next lession session. Felt mentally 'burnt' like I did doing all nighters @ uni writing papers lol which means I def goto keep at it and it will get easier just like it did there.

Total Progress:

Day 0: 1.5 hours - Messed around in codecomat.com's coding games just to get some feeling
Day 1: 1.5 hours - Worked up to 'Animation' in JavaScript on Khanacademy.com - learned about creating basic shapes, coloring, and variables.
Day2: 2.0 Hours - Worked through 'Animation', 'Text and Strings', and 'Functions' lessons on Khanacademy.com - Functions seem the most relevant to what I would be using in other languages and I definitely need more work/practice with them. Animations were also a bit abstract as they were using 'multi level' functions. The videos said that the function aspect would be one of the harder things to grasp so hopefully I'm not alone in having some difficulty there.

I have no idea what you are trying to say to me. I don't know what you mean by your first statement, and if I did, I don't think you are capable of making such an assessment after a mere 2 days of programming. How do you know what is sensible? And why is learning with a book easier than learning with an online tutorial? What does screen have to do with it?



I answered this already: Google.