05-30-2011
I know your end goal is to program games but I started off that way and got discouraged by the sheer complexity of trying to do it the old fashion way (actually coding it piece by piece) and the new way which is to use a program where you take big virtual pieces and plop them down in your configuration (nothing is new just new ways of doing the same thing in a different way, no coding at all, and always seems cheesy to me)
I would suggest that if you want to get started learning to think in programming terms go with figaro's advice start with something simple, and in my opinion you have a great opportunity with UNIX on your mac. One of the easiest to understand, good learning curve (to a point)
Start with console (Applications/Utilities/Console) and a list of simple commands, maybe a good unix introduction book like UNIX for dummies (Dont worry not many true lovers of "the code" out there will make fun of you for not knowing, were just glad to see you get started) and just start working with it. Most books will give you simple things like making and changing directories to get started which is to get you comfortable in the console environment. I would also suggest starting to use vim text editor (look it up) instead of text edit.
Once you have the basics of how to make a computer do what you want it to do, then other languages are not as intimidating just other ways of doing what you already know how to do.
Keep with it and dont get discouraged.
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learn(1) General Commands Manual learn(1)
NAME
learn - Provides computer-aided instruction for the C shell
SYNOPSIS
learn [-directory] [subject] [lesson]
The learn command provides computer-aided instruction courses and practice in the use of Tru64 UNIX.
OPTIONS
Allows you to exercise a script in a nonstandard place.
DESCRIPTION
To get started, enter learn; if this is the first time that you are invoking the learn command, you are guided through a series of ques-
tions to determine what type of instruction you want to receive.
If you have used learn before and left your last session without completing a subject, the program uses information in $HOME/.learnrc to
start you up in the same place you left off.
To bypass questions, enter a subject or lesson. In order to enter a lesson, you must know the lesson number that you received in a previ-
ous learn command session. If you do not know the lesson number, enter the lesson number as a subject. The learn command searches for the
first lesson containing the subject you specified. If the lesson is a - (dash), learn prompts for each lesson; this is useful for debug-
ging.
You can specify the following subjects:
files editor vi morefiles macros eqn C
SUBCOMMANDS
There are a few special commands. The bye command terminates a learn session, and the where command tells you of your progress (where m
tells you more.) The again command redisplays the text of the lesson and again lesson lets you review lesson. The hint command prints the
last part of the lesson script used to evaluate a response, while hint m prints the entire lesson script. This is useful for debugging
lessons and might possibly give you an idea about what is expected.
EXAMPLES
To take the online lesson about files, enter: learn files
You are then prompted for further input.
FILES
Playpen directories. Start-up information.
SEE ALSO
Commands: csh(1), ex(1)
learn(1)