Learning Processing
by Daniel Shiffman · first published 2008
86% recommend14% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Gentle, visual introduction to programming through Processing, where a few lines of code produce immediate on-screen results; suits beginners, returning coders, and creative or arts-minded learners.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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This is a great resource by Daniel Shiffman. For those who don't know, The Nature of Code was a kickstarter project[0] (he also wrote "Learning Processing" a while ago), and I've contributed to it for the following reason: I've been around people in the arts field a lot, and when it comes to teaching them programming from scratch, nothing beats processing.…
on “The Nature of Code” ↗…of Processing or p5.js for teaching kids that age how to write code. The immediate visual feedback from a line or two of code creates a positive feedback loop that encourages learning. Shiffman's book Learning Processing is a great gentle introduction: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Processing-Second-Programmin... His Nature of Code work -- simulating nature through code -- also is really interesting but requires a…
on “Ask HN: 12 year old tech savvy girl – books, programs, events, advice?” ↗Learning Processing (book), by Daniel Shiffman. Here's the Amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Processing-Beginners-Program...
on “Ask HN: Your favourite tutorial for total beginners?” ↗…https://direct.mit.edu/books/book/4663/Turtle-GeometryThe-Co... * Starting Forth. Uses Forth. https://www.forth.com/starting-forth/ https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Forth-Leo-Brodie-ebook/dp/B0... * Learning Processing: A Beginner's Guide to Programming Images, Animation, and Interaction and also The Nature of Code: Simulating Natural Systems with Processing. Uses Processing and p5.js (the JavaScript version of Processing).…
on “Ask HN: It's 2022. Where should I direct the youths to learn about programming?” ↗If you don't care what language you're starting with, but rather just want a good introduction to programming then I can't recommend Daniel Shiffman's[0] Learning Processing[1] book enough. It uses Java and Processing[2] to make visual interactive programs instead of the traditional text-based programs. 0. https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCodingTrain 1. http://learningprocessing.com/…
on “Which books or courses to recommend to beginners for learning coding in 2023?” ↗Awesome!! His first book 'Learning Processing' is what got me back into coding after a 5 year hiatus. Processing is a really fun language for experimenting and this should be a good book.
on “Daniel Shiffman launches "The Nature of Code" online for free” ↗It's a great book but his Learning Processing: A Beginners Guide to Programming Images, Animation, and Interaction (2nd Ed) is a better introductory book.
on “The Nature of Code (2012)” ↗…types in mind, has large communities, many resources including books and courses and a newer JavaScript version. I would also recommend Generative Design book: http://www.generative-gestaltung.de/about Learning Processing would not be directly useful for building web and mobile sites, but in my opinion be an excellent stepping stone for a graphic designer towards the world of technology and creative uses of programming.…
on “Ask HN: Sites and resources for designers learning tech?” ↗…but I don't think it's a book for people who are beginners (i.e. they're learning how to code). Daniel Shiffman has a ton of resources which are better suited for people who want to learn how to code - Learning Processing, the Coding Train channel, etc. Motivation is the primary hurdle when teaching folks how to code. Having a goal to accomplish keeps them motivated, especially if there's feedback early - games, robots…
on “Teaching how to code is broken” ↗