Comments on: Learning a new language http://srihari.info/blog/posts/learning-a-new-language/ Musings on technology, people Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:39:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Mark Thomas http://srihari.info/blog/posts/learning-a-new-language/#comment-23 Mark Thomas Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:38:07 +0000 http://srihari.info/blog/?p=13#comment-23 "Start with your first program doing something non trivial. For example it could be parsing an rss feed." I think you'll find that parsing an rss feed IS trivial in python, ruby, etc. Once you get used to dynamic languages, your definition of what is trivial expands quite a bit. “Start with your first program doing something non trivial. For example it could be parsing an rss feed.”

I think you’ll find that parsing an rss feed IS trivial in python, ruby, etc. Once you get used to dynamic languages, your definition of what is trivial expands quite a bit.

]]> By: JavaGalaxy.com http://srihari.info/blog/posts/learning-a-new-language/#comment-22 JavaGalaxy.com Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:46:59 +0000 http://srihari.info/blog/?p=13#comment-22 I had similar problems while learning new language. I have been working with Java from the start of my career but when I wanted to learn PHP, it was so confusing to me in the beginning. I tend to compare PHP scripting with JSP scripting. One way that I took to overcome this is by leaving Java aside while learning PHP. When you compare 2 languages you are always supporting the language you are comfortable with. I had similar problems while learning new language. I have been working with Java from the start of my career but when I wanted to learn PHP, it was so confusing to me in the beginning.

I tend to compare PHP scripting with JSP scripting. One way that I took to overcome this is by leaving Java aside while learning PHP.

When you compare 2 languages you are always supporting the language you are comfortable with.

]]> By: Greg M http://srihari.info/blog/posts/learning-a-new-language/#comment-21 Greg M Sun, 14 Oct 2007 23:47:07 +0000 http://srihari.info/blog/?p=13#comment-21 I'd put scoping right up there behind types, especially for all these new dynamic scripting languages that seem to be cropping up organically without significant design (Python, Ruby, etc) You're right to omit syntax - that can be picked up on the go while you concentrate on conceptual semantics. I’d put scoping right up there behind types, especially for all these new dynamic scripting languages that seem to be cropping up organically without significant design (Python, Ruby, etc) You’re right to omit syntax - that can be picked up on the go while you concentrate on conceptual semantics.

]]> By: Hung Tang http://srihari.info/blog/posts/learning-a-new-language/#comment-20 Hung Tang Sun, 14 Oct 2007 22:42:13 +0000 http://srihari.info/blog/?p=13#comment-20 This is an interesting post. I'm actually learning Groovy right now and, in my opinion, the best way to learn is by doing. I think to be good at understanding any language (be it English or Java, for example), we have to continually practice (1) reading, and (2) writing it. To help myself learn at an accelerated pace, I just peruse some open source project that uses Groovy, and there I begin my adventure to make sense of one particular usage of many features in the language. When I have questions it's when I then begin to learn, and I try to surrender myself to these types of situations where it seems daunting at first. All I can say this works for me. This is an interesting post.

I’m actually learning Groovy right now and, in my opinion, the best way to learn is by doing. I think to be good at understanding any language (be it English or Java, for example), we have to continually practice (1) reading, and (2) writing it. To help myself learn at an accelerated pace, I just peruse some open source project that uses Groovy, and there I begin my adventure to make sense of one particular usage of many features in the language. When I have questions it’s when I then begin to learn, and I try to surrender myself to these types of situations where it seems daunting at first. All I can say this works for me.

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