Nebula

@ofd what is the difference between a cookbook and introduction? And more specifically, what is a coding cookbook?

@barn, I do kind of have an idea for coding, a website. I was learning HTML for school and had gone far beyond the curriculum when I realized that I want to make a website for myself. But, after reading some more. it became evident that I needed to know some Java ( or maybe some other language to add what I wanted to the website ). I then thought that maybe learning Java wasn't the best way to begin programming and that, in the long run, maybe it would be better to begin with a foundational language ( if there were any ) before learning Java. @lorry's answer is super helpful in that sense because I now know some of the better languages for not only doing what I wanted originally but also doing any project ideas that may come to me later for other fields. ( I know I could create a website using some website builder, but I'd rather learn how to build it up for myself so I can do exactly what I want and so I can understand how the Internet functions in the sense of acquainting yourself with your surroundings. )

Thanks @lorry, your list is exactly what I was looking for.

@RichardY Thank you for your concern, Richard. I know coding/ game making isn't going to take me anywhere, and I don't really want it to. My dad was a programmer a while ago, and my mom ( kinda ), but I don't have the mindset necessary to be successful with it. However, my dad has had his hand in some more entrepreneurial ideas before during which it was evident that having some knowledge of coding would be useful. Of course, I am not sure what language I should begin with. As for history, I'll probably finish Modern History by the end of the month, so it would be nice to have some suggestions for what next if you have any.

@barn Summer Goals: 1. Finish summer school so I can "skip" 11th grade 2. Finish Paul Johnson's Modern History 3. Something? That's all of them, unfortunately.

Barnsley, I'll think about it. It probably be a lot of work to create an app, so I don't think I'd want to wreck these people's project while I am learning. However, I will think about creating my own app, something a bit simpler. As for chipping in, I see what you are saying about learning from chipping in through small ways so that I could learn something. That though would honestly be very different and uncomfortable for me considering I have never done anything of the sort. I am not sure what I could even do, or if I could help. I am not so sure about learning that way, but I'd like an elaboration on what you think are benefits. Maybe, if I think through it more, I can will myself past some unease.

I have some time after school closes for summer next week, so I'd like to do something more useful than my general strategy of wake up in the middle of the night to play video games until I crash at four. Personally, I am an introvert and so would prefer to learn something at home like coding. I don't know where I'd start or even what to start if I wanted to code though. Is starting by reading some primer on Java a good idea? Do you have any recommendations for anything more useful I could try?