Where do I start learning about computers (NOT for dummies)?

Question

So I'm an undergrad doing B.Sc and I am majoring in Electrical Engineering. I am quite interested about computers but my coursework will never give enough (at least not as much as the computer majors). I want to though, learn about computers. I have pretty good idea about the hardware, but I'm not that good on the software part. I have patience, time and a lot of interest to learn about computers (yes, my main goal is to use image processing on the robots I am planning to make :-P). But I don't just want to implement stuff, I want to learn from the bottom working my way up to more advanced stuff. Recently I've been trying to implement USB communication with microcontrollers. I can practically program the microcontrollers myself, I don't don't understand anything on the PC side (libusb, USB drivers... huh?) . I did learn a little C programming on my freshman year, and I wasn't only good at it, I loved it. I got up to files and structures but that was about it. I have the very basic knowledge of OOP, but I'm not that much comfortable with it yet. So if anyone can tell me where I can start, it would be really really helpful. A list of what I should learn and on what order would be extremely appreciated. And I won't skip to the last bit either, I promise.

Answer 1

I would think that you should start with a simple and powerful scripting language, like Python. After you've mastered the basics of Python, you'll be able to dig faster and further in C. Implementing drivers will likely be something that you'll have to do in C at any rate.



Though if you're looking to implement communication protocols or image processing, then Python using Pyro (Python Remote Objects) would be a fast way to prototype that. I still think you should go through one of the Python tutorials to the end, though, in order to make sure you have all the libraries, modules, functions and so on as tools in your toolbox.



There are many books on the subject - the "From Novice to Professional" series of books is an example of excellent books for Python programmers.



http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Python-Professional-Magnus-Hetland/dp/159059519X

Answer 2

"(...) my main goal is to use image processing on the robots I am planning to make"



If you want to implement image processing in a robot the easiest way is to use the (free) OpenCV library. Check the link below for more info.



Since you are interested, not only in implementing, but also in knowing how things really work, then I suggest that you get some books about the subject. First, you could start with a signal and systems book like "Signals and Systems" from Alan V. Oppenheim, then "Digital Signal Processing" from Sanjit Mitra and some computer vision and robotics books. There are plenty good books on these subjects, make a search on Amazon website.

Answer 3

The link http://www.delcomproducts.com/downloads/USBPRGMNL.pdf is specifically for the Delcom USB device but most of the principles are applicable to USB devices in general. You can skip to the last bit (Section 6.2) as that's where the C programming example is.

Answer 4

Get visual basic 2005 and get the book for it too. VCU holds visual basic in very high regards. recently a friend of mine got a full ride just because he knew how to program in visual basic. He said they use Visual basic at VCU. You can also get certifications for certain goals being passed. VCU gives them out without having to be enrolled their. Yes you get them through a college or you can get them through different programing associations. But like i said before colleges give certifications for certain goals without being enrolled.

Answer 5

I think the best place to learn about computers, is on the computer.so many sites you can look through.Or try the library.



yee, yee

he said not for dummies

dummy

Answer 6

Have you tried computers for dummies?