are there any tutorials that someone completly new to programming can understand?

[gbp]

There are a lack of books on Python in general so there's a really big
lack of books on niche things.  All the books on python are for people
who basically know how to program already.  

Python really is a good teaching langauge because its both 'correct' and
fairly complete.  You can write a lot of cool programs in python fairly
easily compared to C.  I think that college professors and high school
teachers should teach Python insted of BASIC.  BASIC is often taught to
lower level programming classes because its accessable.  However, basic
is a pretty bad langauge.  For higher level classes C (now C++, or even
Java) is taught.  C is great if you have 4 years and are highly
motivated to learn about computers.  

When your learning on your own the quality of the book can be as if not
more important than the langauge.  Python is a great language but...

People have learned with all different kinds of langauges.  There is no
right way to learn.  Real programmers usually know 2-5 langauges fairly
well.  Since the demand for programmers is so high theres a whole new
bred of paid visual basic programmers who barely know anything about
programming langauges-- a similar thing is true for network
administrators.  Some people who have gone through school or have a lot
of work experience may have been exposed to ten or even twenty. 
Langauge nuts may 'know' even more.  I'm only 25 and iv'e written
programs in basic(many flavors), logo, pascal, C/C++, lisp(weird),
Perl(very weird), bash(sucks), SQL, and javascript(not that good), a
little java, and now python (yeah!).

Different langauges are good at different things, so there is never
going to be a best langauge.  People may argue about what the best
langauge is in a particular niche.

Since the major obstical is going to be motivation you should pick a
language that you think is cool.  After that try to lacate decent
teaching materials.  If you can't find them move on.  If you have an
interest in a particular field try a langauge that you know is used in
that field.

My advice to you is that the best books for learning programming come
out of the acedemic world.  Try to get a book that is meant for a first
and second semester course in Computer science and is written by a
professor or other acedemic.  Try writing some toy programs.

This is my short list of ones to check out:

**** Logo:  A fun little langauge that has a built in graphics engine. 
This is often used to teach kids but unlike basic it is actually a good
langauge.  

*** C: Not for the faint of heart but if you want to know the internals
of how computers actually work this may interest you.  Note I said C not
C++.

*** Pascal:  This is actually designed as a teaching langauge.  (I think
Logo was too)  Not bad but it may be hard to write something cool in
it.  Lots a lanagues like Delpi and modula-2 are pascal-like.

*** Java: The OOP is kinda tough but this language is solid.  Good book
essential.  IDE recommended.

*** Linux:  Not a programming language :)  Good way to learn about
computers and operating systems.  Also includes about 10-20 free
langauges.  SUSE Linux has the most stuff.

** 1/2 Visual Basic:  Easy to actually build things with.  Just don't
let it go to your head.  Your not a real programmer until you know TWO
langauges :)

*** HTML:  Not exactly a langauge either but may be interesting.  You
combine this with other stuff to make web sites.

*** SQL/Databases:  Kindof a career thing.  Databases are kindof
interesting in there own right.  SQL is a special lanaguage to
manipulate databases.  Access programmers are kindof like the Visual
basic programmers.  (Your not a real DBA until you know a 'real'
database like Oracle, DB2, or Sybase :)






Dan^ wrote:
> 
> well..im 17 and thought that i should start with a programming language, and
> after checking with some of my friends, they pointed me to python
> 
> but, all the tutorials seem to be for those that have spent years in
> programming (mabey im just looking in the wrong places) but id really like
> to try my hand at this
> 
> anywho, thx in advance
> -Dan