Wanting some help with learning to write software
 

So, I have had my n810 for over a year now and have played around quite a bit with some things but have had the bug to want to bring some of my own ideas to life but have little to no experience with the whole process.I am talking about writing some of my own applications. So in turn I am comming to everyone here for help with a direction to start with and the things that are required. I do have my laptop with windows and ubuntu both on it but I dont have a keyboard for my n810 (if one is even required)

I was trying to read up on scratchbox but am still not even sure if that is what I should start with.

Thank you all for the help in advance. I am extremely excited to start.

Re: Wanting some help with learning to write software
 

Python is good one to start of with unless you are the sort who likes to jump in with both feet.

Re: Wanting some help with learning to write software
 

I'm with muki, go to the Python Tutorial and/or the PyGTK Tutorial and jump in with one foot.

Re: Wanting some help with learning to write software
 

I third Python. Start with writing command line applications (really simple) then, when you think you have a good handle on the language, start writing GUI's.

For GUI Toolkits, there is PyQT and PyGTK. I use PyGTK because it is, at this time, better supported on Maemo, but the choice is yours.

Re: Wanting some help with learning to write software
 

Brent, don't you also have a specific tutorial for Python you recommend?

Re: Wanting some help with learning to write software
 

Scratchbox is exactly what you want to start with if you have access to a linux machine or VM. Python is a great language to start with but if you comfortable with C or something else then I'm sure its catered for.

Re: Wanting some help with learning to write software
 

I do :) I learned the basics through this very informal tutorial. It might not be the most accurate or information-packed tutorial, but it does not get bogged down with programming jargon or unnecessary formalities.

For that (and tons of information) see "Dive into Python".

Re: Wanting some help with learning to write software
 

Before you decided to stick with Python, which is nice btw, what do you plan to develop?

Although learning C is marginally harder :) putting the effort in may pay off if you decide you want to develop device drivers, or kernel modules, or DSP code, or anything that needs to run as fast as possible (e.g. if you plan on developing 3D games).

Though with that said, Python does avoid having to write much of that nasty GUI code stuff ;) (you can create a GUI very easily with PyGTK, much more easily than in C).

C + Command line all the way I say! :)