Programming for beginners

Obviously everybody will learn differently.
Personally I would recommend before everything else to try learning Python. It's a simple programming/scripting language that can be used for pretty much everything and will teach you the basics of coding. Personally when I first learned to code I started with Java- bad idea. All I wanted to do was make minecraft mods and big games, so I went on youtube and copied tutorials on how to make games with no knowledge of what was actually going on. This is just a pathway to failure and I'm surprised I continued really.

In my opinion, I'd say he should start with learning Python to learn the basics of coding, make a few programs, copy code from online and mess with it to see what effect it has on the program, etc etc. Then he should move on to another language that's best suited to what he wants to do (in this case, robotics) and learn that. That's all the advice I can give

>>18449662
First of all, you are a terrific brother. Your parents must be so proud to have such a caring brother.

When I was 16 I tried programming on my own time. I hated it and didn't touch it again until I was 19 in college (to which I ended up loving it and getting a career out of it). I wouldn't have liked it so much if it weren't for a professor drilling new concepts into my brain every week.

My suggestion: Get him a tutor of some sort. You're on the right track by looking into bootcamps. As long as there is a teacher, he will succeed. Some bootcamps are expensive and usually assume students are young adults. You can also look into summer code camps.

Good luck!

>>18449662
If he's doing First Robotics Competition with his school, then I know stuff about that. I work with the highschool team in my town. I'd find out what they use to program the robot and have him learn that. It'll either be Java or C++. Maybe LabView but I'd hope not. Also, make sure he understands the concepts behind programming and not just syntax. Consider buying him a book. Also, you're a great brother. Keep doing what you're doing.

>Unreal Engine
>oh it's not so abstract
>maybe he maek littel gaem
>>18449790
Who the fuck programs robots in Java?
C++, C and Assembly are the way to go.

Get your brother a trigonometry book and technical mechanics, otherwise what could he program? I bet there's "Trig for 14 year olds" or something.

>>18449823
Fun fact! Java was originally intended for embedded systems

>>18449823
FRC only has standard libraries for Java, C++, and LabView.

>>18449662
There are all kinds of programmable toys on the market. Do a little research and pick one up.

>>18449697
Noted. I'll look for an online course about Python

>>18449707
Thank you for the advice, I found a class on Groupon

>>18449790
I don't know the details but he'll be using this program

https://www.arduino.cc/

I want to pick something that will help him familiarize with it

>>18449823
He has to have some initial interest, like he's actually doing something. I never meant to develop a fully fledged 1st person shooter but maybe something like a platformer

>>18449823
Literally 70% of the robotics most defense contractors work on is Java.

>>18449662
Software engineer here. Was on FIRST team 95 in highschool. Like another anon said Python is the way to go because it distills your basic commands down to be as simple and readable as possible. Your bro won't be bogged down in the details of syntax and can just jump right in and do pretty much whatever he wants with it.

Lots of concepts carry over so it will help him learn more "serious" languages down the line like C++ and Java if he is so inclined.

>>18449662
I suggest to start him on c++ first, so he can get strong bases and develops ability to "think" for himself, let him use his brain... and then java and phyton, if he manages c++ like a boss he has basically learned to program the "hard" way, java is a linear piece of cake and phyton is like a combination of both plus some other things