<p>Yeah, I accidentally made this thread in the cafe, but that forum is pretty much dead, so...</p>
<p>I'd like to take computer programming as an elective for my senior year. My school offers two classes: Programming I and Programming II. Here's the official description for I:</p>
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This course provides students with an introduction to computer programming. Through hands-on instruction, students will learn how to plan and create their own Windows applications using a language called Visual Basic. Students will also be introduced to game programming. Lab fee for materials that students keep.
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<p>And programming II:</p>
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This course emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology with a concentration on problem solving and algorithm development. It expands upon the programming concepts already learned in Programming I. Through hands-on instruction, students will learn how to plan and create their own applications using a language called Java. The topics explored will cover those tested on the College Board's AP Computer Science exam.
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<p>I have no prior programming experience and would prefer a more rigorous class to get myself started in programming. Also, being able to take the AP Comp Sci exam at the end of the year is a major plus. Do you think it would be possible for me to skip right into Programming II or should I take Programming I to ease my transition into the art of programming?</p>
<p>Visual Basic is a great introductory programming language. I think you could make the jump to Programming II, but if you want to be ready for the AP CS Exam, you’re going to have to learn Java and the case study.</p>
<p>My first cs class was in VB and I found it very helpful. Having a GUI helped me to better understand what the code was doing. The class will teach you the fundamentals, such as if statements, loops, etc., that will be useful regardless of the language you study next. When I took my first Java class, which was AP, one of the biggest differences was not having the GUI. I’d always be entering text and getting output, not selecting check boxes and using drop-down menus. Of course the syntax was different, but you still had to take the same approach to solving the problem.</p>
<p>I know plenty of people who skipped the introductory course and went right to AP. I don’t know how it is at your school, but I’m guessing the teacher of CS II would assume that you have taken CS I or at least have some background on programming. In my first Java class, we moved at a much faster pace than that of the VB class because for the majority, we were relearning topics that we knew how to program in VB, so it didn’t take as long. If you choose to skip CS I, then I’d recommend learning some Java topics prior to taking the class.</p>
<p>I took Computer Science Honors over the summer and then went on to AP last year. We learned Visual Basic in honors, and I gotta tell you: it’s the easiest thing you will ever encounter in your HS history. No joke. There is absolutely no reason you should not get a 95% or higher in that class. It’s GREAT fun, but just too easy in terms of the logic.</p>
<p>In AP we used Java, and it was much more challenging, much more fun, but still nonetheless bearable/relatively easy. It’s fun in that you get to use more logic and problem solving with coding, and I really don’t think you need prior experience to handle the class. I got As and a 5 for the exam, and I’m a really lazy, non-studious person. Didn’t even study for exam, though that’s not bragging-worthy.</p>
<p>Also, after having learned VB, my friend and I were shocked at how much more difficult Java was compared to it. I mean, we were like, “VB was so fricken easy!” And even though we said it was more difficult, it’s still easy to understand. It’s almost as if VB makes you underprepared for what’s to come in Java. I agree with Elodin’s post.</p>
<p>Alright, granted I came into My Advanced Computer Math Class(Equivalent of AP CS, took it before I knew I could pay to take AP Exam) with knowledge of 5 other languages…</p>
<p>Java is not hard. Once you learn one thing, the others are easy to come.</p>