Re: A question from a beginner.
- From: "Ishe Chinyoka" <chinyoka.consultant@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2008 00:37:48 -0800
Hi Gabriel (and anyone who might be starting out)
I think if you have some bit of background in programming Basic-like
language, the recommendation by Ken sounds OK. To add to that let me
just tell you that I am beginning programming myself but I am
interested in C so I am finding it a little better as it makes me work
closer to the hardware and the OS commands.
As for which language is the best, any language seems to work well
with Jaws as it appears as a good screen reader. For your own
information, I am using an old Jaws version (version 5.0) but I can
program in Python (which incidentally you asked), AutoIt, Perl, PHP
and C. Python is accessible but the only problem with it may be with
its syntax which seems to be different from traditional languages like
C and C++ where you have to use braces to indent code. In Python, you
have to indent and not use any braces. For that reason, I encourage
you to consider first looking for a text editor that is sensitive to
indents and any tabs you might make. I suggest the now popular EdSharp
which I use when I want to write out my Python scripts. However, I
also think Python is easy for a beginner - though this term seems to
be subjective as any programming language requires more than reading
and understanding its concepts but practising it.
As for resources useful to blind and visually impaired people, I may
as well point to the favorite spot of mine which is known as the
Empowerment Zone. As for me I found a lot of useful material from this
site. This site contains a lot of stuff but check the section on
technology and you would smile at the books and handouts there - by
the way it is maintained by Jamal Mazrui who also has another site
which you can link from this one. The site for Empowerment Zone is
http://www.empowermentzone.com the other site is excellent as well as
it has the latest material and resources for blind programmers. I
cannot remember it off head.
Good luck in your programming career. Wish you all the best!
On 2/1/08, Ken Perry <whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
> I would suggest you get the Microsoft Visual basic express. Its free and
> with the scripts its easy to use if you use Jaws. If you search for that on
> google you will find a download link for it.
>
> Ken
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gabriel
> Battaglia
> Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 11:46 AM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: A question from a beginner.
>
> Hello to everybody.
>
> First of all, my apologize about my english which is far from to be good, I
> just hope to be understood by you.
> Secondarely also apologize about the next question which are probably sound
> very old and annoying for most of you.
> I've just subscribed the list and I'd like to receive some tips in a short
> time in order to be able to begin or, re-begin programming.
>
> My name is Gabriel, I'm 33, blind, living in the north east of Italy. I did
> programs using Quick basic extended 7.0 till 1997, when my only O.S. was DOS
> 6.22. After that I lost the progress and I missed all the further changes
> beside some small knoledge of Visual Basic 6.0 Enterprise edition that I've
> tried 2 3 years ago.
>
> In these last mounths my life is going to be more stable with a new job
> which allows me to stay hours in my office and give me hours to spent around
> my hobbies and interest. For that reason I'd like to re-begin programming.
>
> I'd like also to try something which is freeware and open source if it's
> possible, with a develop enviroment environment able to help a beginner user
> with tutorials, examples and complete guide.
> What's your personal suggestion? What language?
>
> I saw the Pure Basic which affascinated me cause I already know something
> about the basic syntax, do you think it is accessible?
>
> Another language I found attractive is the Python. Do you think a blind user
> can manage it as he or she were sighted? Does the Python has it's own
> develop environment and is it accessible to Jaws 7.10?
>
> Last one: what's your general suggestion to me? Beside living the
> programmation I mean, Smile!
>
> Thanks in advance for all of your advices, they'll be very appreciated.
>
> Gabriel.
>
> __________
> View the list's information and change your settings at
> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>
> __________
> View the list's information and change your settings at
> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>
>
--
Ishe Chinyoka
Website URL: http://www.chinyoka.com
----------
In darkness, it is better to light your own candles than to curse at
the darkness.
__________
View the list's information and change your settings at
//www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
Other related posts:
