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Need help with simple programing...

thatguywhojuggles

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T
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Feb 9, 2002
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When I was a kid playing around with my Atari 800xl I used to do a lot of programing in Basic. Unfortunately that was the last time I did any.

I want to learn how to program again and wondered where I should start.

I have a small project that would be a good first step, I think. I work at a juggling supply store and we do a lot of mail order. I want to create a small program I can pop up whenever I need that will ask for a zip code, and weight, and will tell me how much the shipping will cost.

Normally I look at a chart, and find out what in what zone the zip code is, then once I know the zone, I look on another chart that shows how a package of a certain weight will cost to ship to that zone.

So my question is, what is a simple language I could use to create this program, and where would I find it?

Thanks.
 
I suggest Python.

It's freely availaible (for Windows, Linux, and just about everything else), there's masses of free tutorial information on the net, and it has a great learning curve: you can do simple things with it very quickly, but the more you learn the more powerful it becomes.
 
I'm going to recommend python too. Just one thing, is there a simple way to determine whcih zone each zip code is in, or would the information have to be given for each zip code? If the latter, would it require someone to enter every single zip code into the computer or is that information already available in a text file or some other format? Because the program may be extremely simple, but inputing all the data may not be worth it. You may notice this by the 2500th zip code.
 
Is Python something I will be able to create a stand alone program (not sure if I'm using correct terminology here) or will I have to load the Python program every time I want to run my program?
 
Donks said:
I'm going to recommend python too. Just one thing, is there a simple way to determine whcih zone each zip code is in, or would the information have to be given for each zip code? If the latter, would it require someone to enter every single zip code into the computer or is that information already available in a text file or some other format? Because the program may be extremely simple, but inputing all the data may not be worth it. You may notice this by the 2500th zip code.
Click to expand...

I think finding the zone should be pretty simple. USPS provides a chart here: http://postcalc.usps.gov/Zonecharts/default.asp If you type in "976" for the three numbers, and hit the "Get Zone Chart" Button, you will see what I am working with.

Thanks.
 
Python is an interpreted language (which means the command you'd use in your shortcut or whatever would be "python zipcode.py" instead of just "zipcode"), but there are tools, such as Freeze, that create a standalone executable.
 
cool, thanks for all the info you guys! I've a bit of reading to do now. I'll post later, hopefully with good news... otherwise, expect more questions! :)
 
For simplicity, Visual Basic.

For use, C/C++.

For cross-platform capability, Java.

For fun, Perl. :D
 
Couldn't this be done in MS Access?

You could make data entry easy with an input form (I'm sure the costs will change) and a few queries built into buttons on another form should get a result.

Most people have Access as standard on their PC.
 
Easy Program for shipping.

The easiest programming in the world is to steal some one else's.

All major shipping companies, UPS, USPS, DHL, FEDEX, have these programs already on their sites. Use them. A hell of a lot simpler.

If you want to program, remember, all programs do the same thing. It is just whether you use a single or double quote. Once you learned basic, you learned the basis of all future languages.

Boy am I going to get flamed on this one. wink wink.
 
Re: Easy Program for shipping.

LJRuss said:
The easiest programming in the world is to steal some one else's.

All major shipping companies, UPS, USPS, DHL, FEDEX, have these programs already on their sites. Use them. A hell of a lot simpler.

If you want to program, remember, all programs (I take it you mean programming languages?) do the same thing. It is just whether you use a single or double quote. Once you learned basic, you learned the basis of all future languages.

Boy am I going to get flamed on this one. wink wink.
Click to expand...
Ooo! Can I be the first one to flame? Yay!

Ok, so I won't flame you, just add to the novice programmer that while most all programming languages do basically the same thing with slightly varying syntax, you can get lost pretty quickly if you apply Basic-style to, well, anything. Compare C, Java, and Prolog..
 
Re: Re: Easy Program for shipping.

Originally posted by PogoPedant
Ooo! Can I be the first one to flame? Yay!

Ok, so I won't flame you, just add to the novice programmer that while most all programming languages do basically the same thing with slightly varying syntax, you can get lost pretty quickly if you apply Basic-style to, well, anything. Compare C, Java, and Prolog..
Click to expand...

Heh, excellent point. While you can write Java like it's C (I've seen it, and believe me, it's not pretty), you'd have a hard time doing that with Prolog :)
However, for the people who only want to do simple little projects, you can just "learn how to program" with VB or whatever, and you'll probably be able to do what you need. If you're slightly more ambitious, a good CS and math background is a huge help in designing and writing decent code.
 
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