From:	j DOT aldrich6 AT genie DOT com
Message-Id:	<199607291549.AA220635385@relay1.geis.com>
Date:	Sun, 28 Jul 96 22:12:00 UTC 0000
To:	randolp1 AT ix DOT netcom DOT com
Cc:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
Mime-Version:	1.0
Subject:	Re: Learning C (Or any Languag

Reply to message 9693126    from RANDOLP1 AT IX DOT N on 07/26/96 11:28PM


>What is the best and most common way of learning a language?
>Is is to just mess around with it for a year and a half?
>or read tutorials?
>I'm intrested in learning more about C.

I'll tell you honestly - the best way I've found to get into a language
is with total immersion.  :)  It's not enough just to read a book or take
a class; you have to have actual, concrete examples in front of you.

I learned 90% of what I know about C because of a MUD that I played
for a long time that finally went down because of site security problems.
I downloaded the source code with the intent of putting up my own
game based on it.  Over the next 2 years or so, I did nothing but sit
and read and tinker with the code, taking what I knew of how the game
_ran_, and using it to figure out how the actual language _worked_.
Only then did I read books and take classes to solidify my knowledge.

Of course, I wasn't under any sort of time crunch while I was doing this,
but even if I were, I still think it would be the best way of learning the
language.

John

P.S.:  No, the MUD isn't up, or even complete yet.  I still need to find a
site, for one thing, so don't go sending me email asking how to get on.  ;)

- Raw text -