Suggestions Regarding Programming in Linux Needed ! ! !
 

Hi guys, I have been operating System on Linux since last 6 years. I can operate Linux very well through Commands as well as through GUI.

Now, I want to take more further steps. PLZ. HELP ME ! I want to begin doing Programming in Linux. In other words, I want to create or develop something for Linux People and Linux Community.How should i proceed. Please be my guide and show me the path.

I really need to know, what languages i should work in. Where can i get the helping articles and books etc.

Reply back soon...


Regards to all LINUX GUYS ! ! !


--
G!

Most Linux programs are written in C or C++.

What I would suggest is to find a project you are interested in, and offer to help. Perhaps modifying a program to add functionallity that you believe is missing. Alternatively, write your own program.

--Ian

Hello. I am glad to see that you a volunteer to help Linux and Open Source.
Do you have any experience in programming? You can help with writing documentation, HOWTOs and test applications.
I write a small and simple backup program with GUI for GNOME now. I write it on C/C++ but there is a simple shell scripts too.
So, if you would like to help.... Be my guest. Welcome to the team. :)

Python is also very big in the Linux community.

A good place to start is bug-fixing. Start small and send patches to project developers. Once you have your feet in the water, you can move on to starting on your own project or joining an existing one.

Check out http://bugzilla.gnome.org/ (note that you'll need to register) to get an idea of what I'm talking about. Bring up all the listings on a project of your choice, and see if any of the bugs/feature requests look interesting to you. If you think you can tackle one, go for it! Send your solution to the developers, and they'll let you know if it's solid or not. They're very friendly for the most part, and should be able to give you some useful feedback.

Learn the languages that Eric S. Raymond suggests in his "here.

Learn the languages that Eric S. Raymond suggests in his "here.

Learn the languages that Eric S. Raymond suggests in his How To Become A Hacker article:

- Python
- C/C++
- Java
- Perl
- LISP (look up "Common LISP")

I also suggest learning a BASIC derivative such as Gambas-style BASIC. :)

EDIT: And if you're looking for some hard-copy of these languages (ie. books), check out this Amazon list: here.

Sorry about the two identical posts prior to this one.

speaking of languages, you might as well try.... bash :rolleyes:

Yes! Most definitley also learn a shell scripting language!
Here's a *nearly* complete guide: Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide

:)

you can complete that with "man bash" :p

true that. :D

I'd suggest learning Python, and put off learning Bash like I did. Bash, at least in my case, can get very cryptic for a newbie, especially if you want to create anything remotely complex. It *is* fun, though, however unmaintainable it is (again, at least in my case. :-). Python is a great substitute for complex bash programs, eliminating the need to know awk, sed, grep, and whatever other program you'll inevitably end up tossing into your script. :)

Python has also proven its usefulness in large applications (see Zope, BitTorrent, etc.).

hmmm.. i suggest that you don't compare the two languages. it just depends on where you'll use them. they both have their own unique purposes. you can use them both if you like.. and it will be the best.

anyway good luck with your programming :)

indienick really seems to love ESR, 3 posts with the same thing :)

gurmeet.bedi: if you don't have any programming experience, start out with some language (I started out with C) and start with small, simple programs. [add two numbers blah blah that sort of stuff] It takes a while to get fairly used to a language.. and it might take quite some time before you could start contributing to a FOSS project .. you have to ask yourself if you are willing to put in years of programming learning/practice. Oh.. right .. recom.

I personally like C. Read the following: http://www.iso-9899.info/wiki/Books

My advice would be, rather than learn all of those languages listed, just choose one language and actually write something useful. If you're new to programming, then nothing will teach you to program better than actually programming a program. Simple hello world programs and adding numbers won't teach you anything more than the basic syntax (athlough this is very much a pre-requisite, but only the very beginning :)). If you already program, then nothing will teach you a specific language better than writing a program in it.

I personally think everyone should know C at some stage, but I believe Python is also a good way to go.

In short, pick a bigish project that you would find interesting to code, and aim towards it. There will be holes in your knowledge when you start, but that's what LQ and google are there for! :P