Legit Reviews

Alright, here's the deal.

I would like to begin self-teaching myself any/all programming languages, database management, networking, IT, everything I can. I know enough about hardware, and am familiar with how to do all of that on paper. I want to be able to make it work better.

I just discovered a link through my University (students only) that has THOUSANDS of online books on all of the above and more. Anything imaginably applicable to the business environment and computing. So this is my point:

Where do I start? I have done a little bit of C# and it's a really fun and easy-to-use language. I have the .NET framework SDK (also from my school for less than 8 bucks) so I can program anything but Java with it. What is a good FREE (or cheap) Java editor? I have been perusing everything they have there for a day, and I feel like a kid in a candystore. What candy should I start with?

It has all of the below classifications:
-Business and Culture
-Certification and Compliance
-Databases (i.e. Access)
-Desktop & Office Applications (i.e. MS Office)
-Enterprise Computing
-Graphic Design & Multimedia
-Hardware
-IBM Technologies
-Networks & Protocols
-Operating Systems
-Programming Languages (including COBOL and FORTRAN)
-Security
-Software Engineering
-Telecommunications
-Web Programming & Development
And if you THINK that something is covered that is related, it is. Thousands of books like I said.

Any suggestions?? Consider me a Level 2 programmer with enough wisdom to go as deep as the rabbit hole goes....Looking to reach Level 100.

Come on, anything?

I'll bite.

For Programming Languagues like C++ and Java

go with the newest editions Dietel Books.

Also a book by Bruce Eckel for Java

For HTML get

Dreamweaver For Dummies. The All-In-One Desk Reference is best IMO

Also HTM & XHTML by Orielly.

If you want the ISBNs to look up online and order, just shoot me a PM

hope you have a lot of free time, and your brain don't melt but I will add to the above.

java script (no it is not java, same but different) look up Dave Thau,

For PERL, CGI scripts in PERL, PHP. PHP script look up the O'Reilly books.

Now I'm out of the loop (hell I was barely in it to begin with LOL) for VB script, VB.net and Access so couldn't tell ya.

I'll get a hold of a co-worker he does a lot with the windows API and Direct X and see wat he says.

I would think that should you pick a couple and get good with them is a better plan than learning all of them and not being good with any of them. I can do CGI PERL, PHP script, HTML, DHTML, and some XML. I'm still learning but I not a master in any shape or form of them.

i pick LAMP...

Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP -- that way when we have server issues you can help out... hehe

AJAX is pretty slick too and LR will have an AJAX based comment system on the refresh that will eventually happen.

Where do I start? I have done a little bit of C# and it's a really fun and easy-to-use language.

There's nothing to be ashamed of with that. Microsoft has turned a cold shoulder to it's "other" easy to use programming language (Visual Basic) in favor of this C/Java hybrid and are pushing it as the so-called best .NET Framework language for developing both web and forms based applications. Support for it won't go away anytime soon.

If you ever plan on doing any Systems Administration, server support roles (on Windows Servers), you might want to get a jump on PowerShell. It's likely to become the next big scripting environment for automation of your typical mundane work activities.

Like Bubba said though, pick one or two and focus in on them. Better to be an expert in a few things rather than know just a few things about everything.

I think the .net's; asp, vb aregood to learn imo. Lots of jobs around looking for .net programmers. I think another thing that would be great to get into is virtualization. Every book on the campus offered listings on vmware and virtualization that I've read have been pretty good.

I use Netbeans for my Java editor, but I have also heard good things about Eclipse. My recommendation would probably be to start out using Netbeans, as it is very straight-forward for a beginner.