Complete programming noob
 

Hey everyone. I've been gaining interest in pursuing a masters degree in computer science as soon as I am done with my bachelors in a year or two. I want to get into game programming. However I want to pick up a book or two on programming to just get a small head start, and more importantly, to see if I'll like it.

Anyone have any suggestions on programming books that are for complete beginners? Should I start with Basic or what?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for that! I also found a book that I thought would be a great start as well, what do you think?

http://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Beginn...5186451&sr=8-6

Also is the book Beginning C++ Through Game Programming written for the complete programming noob in mind? Or is it more for people with at least some programming knowledge? http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Thro...5217080&sr=1-2

Don't like the title, never heard of it being recommended by anyone, read the introduction and didn't like their approach.

From what I know, it doesn't assume that you have any previous programming knowledge.. However, as I strongly stressed in the post I linked to, C++ should not be your first programming language as it has a fairly steep learning curve and full of language specific 'traps'.

So I should start off with Python? Never heard of it, but you would know mor than I would

If you have never programmed before then arguably, yes you should start off with Python, Basic, or even Pascal.

I really am surprised you have never heard of Python, go to their website to find out more: http://www.python.org/

Goes to show you how little I know ;)

http://www.3dbuzz.com/xcart/product....age=1&featured

It's kind of Expensive but it will help you greatly because they show it to you and talk about things more in-depth than most books can do.

How do you only have a year or two left in a Computer Science degree and not have any programming experience?
I wholeheartedly recommend C++ Primer Plus if you want to do C++ programming. Not only is it just an awesome book altogether, but it's the book they start you C++ programming with at Digipen, a gaming school.

http://www.amazon.com/C-Primer-Plus-.../dp/0672326973

I believe he/she was talking about doing a Computer Science master's degree after completing an undergraduate degree in another discipline.