My first computer programming class at Tulane back in 91 was Fortran. Then sophomore year I had to take an assembly language class. That was by far the hardest programming language to learn. I never liked programming after that class. The funny thing about that is my job now is about 90% C programming. I still don't really like programming, but it pays the bills.....
Programming classes are easy. I suggest getting a programming book that is not for class, but just for people to learn how to program, I used one when I had to learn Perl on the fly working at Intel, and it was really helpful. Once you are comfortable writing programs in general, the specific tasks become much easier. Of course, now that I haven't done it in a while, I probably couldn't write a program that would actually compile.
I had to take both FORTRAN and Pascal. Had a very good teacher for Pascal and a piss poor teacher for FORTRAN. So, it was no surprise I got an A in Pascal and a C in FORTRAN (one of only 2 C's I made as an undergrad - the other was in the first semester of calc-based Physics). I only took the first semester of Pascal and the last thing we did was 2-d arrays. I was in the second semester for like a week and got scared and dropped it. I heard plenty of horror stories about linked lists, queues, sorts, stacks, trees, etc. I wound up changing my minor from Computer Science to Athletic Coaching because of that class and assembly language!
Sounds like you'll be in an intro course that does not involve programming. However, if you do get involved in some programming it will probably be either Java or C++ as others have mentioned. Java is easier to learn, but C++ sets a better foundation if you are going to be programming alot in the future (i.e. it is easier to learn other programming languages after learning C++ than it is after learning Java).
I did'nt want to start a new thread on this, but I am curious to know something. I have a 2.88 gpa right now and if I get 2 A's this summer term my gpa will rise to an exact 3.0. What universities take a 2.88 or a 3.0 gpa. I hear texas wants 3.5 and above, which i think blows.
Are you planning on taking the computer science class at SWT then? It might help to specify the institution, because like people have said, there can be a number of different types of classes offered under the general category of Introduction to Computer Science. Any SWT folk in Hangout who can comment?
Intro to Computer Science at UH is taught in C. Incredibly easy class, but then again I had two years of AP CS experience
Did you take 1410 with Anderson (AKA Mr. Mackey from South Park)? His exams are open book and open notes, so there's no reason to not ace the class.
YES! (Spr. '03) I will never, EVER, forget that man. I remember day-dreaming through his lectures and I'd look at him and think dear GOD, is that what I'm destined to become as a Computer Science major? It was especially entertaing when he tried to get angry with someone, it just doesn't work with that voice.
