I've been wanting to learn to code for some time now, and most people told me to pick something I wanted to make and build it from the ground-up (Or top-down should I say).<p>My project is based off extracting certain data from Google Maps API, storing it in a database somewhere, analyzing it for different situations and putting it back out. (At least this is what I plan to do, I have no clue how possible/intensive this is but I guess I will find out).<p>I'm sure everyone hates these "what language should I learn" questions, but I figure since there may be certain things that work really well with my situation and certain that could work terribly, it could be a valid question.<p>Thanks in advance.<p>tl;dr What language to use with Google APIs.
Since you'll be working w/ Google APIs, you'll likely want to go with Google App Engine to deploy your app, and their SDK is available in Java or Python, so I'd recommend Python.<p>Just my $0.02
Assuming that you're just starting to code, this project sounds too ambitious.<p>At least try breaking it into smaller chunks that you can work on independently. For example, moving data in and out of a database. Install MySQL, learn about tables, fields, and a bit of SQL from a MySQL client command prompt. Then learn how to do these things with MySQL using some other programming language with a MySQL library. I think carpentry starts with banging nails, not designing houses.<p>I started off with Basic when I was a kid. I'd recommend Python to get started these days, ideally running on Ubuntu Linux.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I actually already started Learn Python the Hard Way about a week ago, so this works out great.<p>And thanks for the advice on the project, I will probably do as you suggested and start with some simpler projects and then expand into what I envisioned, after I get a grasp of MySQL, python etc.<p>Thanks again, and see you around HN.
Python.<p>Places to get started:<p><a href="http://docs.python.org/tutorial/" rel="nofollow">http://docs.python.org/tutorial/</a><p><a href="http://learnpythonthehardway.org/index" rel="nofollow">http://learnpythonthehardway.org/index</a><p><a href="http://www.pythonchallenge.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.pythonchallenge.com/</a>