Which is the best way to read a programming book?

[Zap]

Are you learning BASIC?

If you've done a few examples, and feel that you can easily write a program that ask for a users name and print it again, I'd say you're ready to go on, because there's isn't really much you can do with that, unless you've learnt about IF structeres, in that case you could make a quiz program or something. Ecspecialy if it's your first language it's important that you take your time and don't rush through the book, but if you feel confident that you know what the book has taught so far, go on.

[SayDaysAgo]

I can write a program that asks for someone's name and prints it to the screen easily. I also know quite alot about if then statements. So, yeah, I think I will just start going on. Thanks alot :-D

[Zap]

No problemo.

[Zack]

Well, if you're new to concepts like loops and IFs, i.e. you're generally new to programming, you should take extra time with the excercises. Because if you ever learn any more languages, you really have to learn those things.
Good luck, really.

[na_th_an]

I've read three books about programming in my life. I was 10. One of them was "Basic para niños" (Basic for children):



Then I felt brave to read the hard stuff in "Basic avanzado para niños" (Advanced Basic for children):



It was pretty fun, I played with my little ZX Spectrum doing nice proggies.

The second programming book I read was the ZX Spectrum manual. I studied it comma to comma.

From then, I became lazy. I usually skim in diagonal thru books or tutorials, but the things I use the most are references. Maybe 'cause I learned QB looking at QB help, and I learned Allegro lloking at the allegro reference... Once you get used to it, you don't need a book.

[Hard Rock]

Yeah the best books are glorified help manuals.
Which charge 50$ a copy

I ussauly get a book read it in about a week, and go over the parts that i use a lot, or need again.
Basically:
a)Grasp concepts
b)if needed apply them

No need to try EVERY example in the book. Only the important ones.

[Rhiannon]

Hard Rock makes a good point. Grasp the concepts, then apply them to things YOU want to make, instead of trying all the examples in the book. I'm taking a VB class in college and i havent learned jackshyt cuz the professor just teaches the class with little exercises, but doesnt explain the concepts. adosorken taught me more on the ride home today then i have learned in the class. Once I (perhaps you as well) grasp the concepts, you can give them your own application.

[SayDaysAgo]

I was thinking of just reading a page or two an hour for maybe 10 hours a day. Thus , it would be easier to read and less boring since it is in small doses. I think i'll do it that way, actually...

[TheBigBasicQ]

10hrs per day? Dude, if you have some programming experience then its just a matter of learning syntaxes. I suggest you get a compiler and try your hand at a few programs while reading the book.