What is the best way to start learning how to program?

I dont like the old "just google it". I learned a lot of Final Cut Studio, just by searching YouTube. There are a lot of dedicated Youtubers that post nothing but tutorials on programming just about any program (you will also find some great, reliable websites through YouTube). If that isn't enough and you want some more information and insight. The next thing I would do is head to a local bookstore and spend a good amount of time reading thoroughly and bring a notepad and copy down; notes, resources, etc. Then if you still want more information, you can purchase DVD tutorials that cover the entire programs and everything about them. If at this point you are still hungry for information, you should go to college. :)

Hope this helped man! Alex

You aren't ready to program. You first need to understand that there are multiple programming languages, I recommend Objective-C. I learned just by watching YouTube videos and talking to other developers.

See the StackOverflow question: Best ways to teach a beginner to program?

There's also What’s the Easiest Way to Learn Programming? on SO.

The way i learned is fairly easy and got me into programming without even knowing it because it starts so easy and like all programmers you never stop learning. right basically you can do one of thing, whatever your more intrested in, either start withthe web, start with flash or what i did start with flash then the web. so lets start with flash, when i say flash most people think of animation yet i think about games and the programming side of thing, its great 'cause its so simple and gives you alot of feed back while giving you somthing to show off at the end. Also if your confused the difference between AS2 and AS3 then i would reccomend starting with AS2 as its less complex and dosn't have asmany pitfalls. Next is the web and this means start at html/xhtml,then move on to css, next comes javascript (you can skip this if you cant be bothered yet its very helpfull) and finally a server side language such as Ruby on Rails or PHP. Finally after all that then your in the best position to start learning a higher level language such as java, visual basic, lua and the big one c/c++.

Regarding where to learn from i recomend the internet mainly with websites such as NetTuts+ for websites, Tutvid for flash, Dev-HQ for other programming languages and Lynda in you have the money. You could look at some books yet they ain't the best so i generally avoid using them, yet the over all best method is to pay somone to teach you one to one.

Hope this helps 'cause it seemed to work for me, Regards Andy Adshead And i wish you luck in learning.

To be honest, cracking an open source program open, and trying to figure it out. Any questions, hit up google. Learned c#, java, php this way.

I heard all the (something for) dummies are pretty good. What language are you learning to program for? If it's Java than this site can help http://chortle.ccsu.edu/CS151/cs151java.html

I've learned from many different sources, from tutorials online to sitting many hours in class. First find out what language then you want to program for. Get a good book on the subject. Forums online can be a very good way to go as well with things like irc and videochat there are many people that would love to help. There are also tutorials online which can help to.

The best way to learn programming is professionally written books. Search Amazon.com for some books on the topic, see if people like it or not in the reviews, and read a sample chapter, to make sure that it's written in a style you like. Every time I want to learn something new, I order a book about it, because it's just simply the best way. It gives you practical examples, as well as explaining what's happening in detail.

I started off using the book visual basic for dummies :)

I like learning with video lessons. That's how I learned HTML. When there is a real person telling you how to do everything, it just sticks way more. Finding a good video is another issue entirely.