I just came with an idea and I want to learn a language so I can create it. I want to create a web based news-like page (I will not give anymore details.) Think of it like Digg. What would be the best code to learn to create such a website?
The best way of learning is practicing, even though you can read some of the many tutorials. Site news are made of dynamic content, so you need to try learning a scripting language from which the most suitable is PHP Then get some snippets, see how they are structured and check your readings to achieve your goals. snippets can be found here: www.spoono.com/php/snippets tutorials right in there: www.php.net/tut.php www.phpfreaks.com/tutorials.php www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/php
Not knowing your background it is hard to know exactly. My feeling is if you have had no formal programming instruction you should get your first exposure in a structured classroom/seminar environment or online class. If you have been exposed to any form of programming would say grab a book or online tutorial and run with it. Before doing anything I would look at the tutorials Pat recommended and see if they met your needs. Programmers tend to pick up a new language extremely fast.
What I am asking is, what is the most useful/flexible programming language for building a Digg-like site? Thanks for the links Pat, I will take a look at them.
It only happens to be the most popular server side combination, plus it's availability from online hosts is just unbeatable.
For your guidance, the digg clones are all built in PHP and MySql. One is called pligg. It started as a straight clone and appears to be morphing into a CMS.
I agree with smyrl, if your learning your first language try a class. Friends might be willing to teach you to code too, i find tutoring in programming goes incredibly fast. After you have learned one language you'll be able to assimilate new ones at a high rate since all the languages have the same basic logic commands. As for a digg like site you should go for php and mysql since its free and easy to learn. A digg site isn't really too complicated so its a good initial project to learn php on.
If you know some other programing language like C, C++, etc., PHP is best one! Otherwise doesn't matter PHP, ASP, JSP ...