Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: Programming
From: "Rocky Heckman" <rocky.he () g-wizinnovations com>
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 10:39:43 +1100
Hi Ben, A lot of people have responded and suggested things like Python, and Assembler, Java, and even Cobol. However it appears they missed the main point of your message. You said you wanted to learn programming to increase your knowledge about security. While the above mentioned languages will help you learn programming, they won't help with your knowledge of security. If security is your target, you need to start with C and pick up Perl. Programs written in C/C++ are the primary targets for serious attackers and the ones that most commonly have severe security holes. If you understand them, you'll begin to see why they have problems and how to fix them. You'll want Perl because it's used to automate a lot of attack tasks and feed input to C programs. You'll use it for quite a few things. Once you have that figured out, and you feel like getting down to the real nuts and bolts, learn Assembler. The most efficient, tight code used by professional malicious hackers is written in Assembler. Now, if you do want to learn programming for programming's sake, Python is a great way to learn OO based programming. In my opinion, for learning the light and dark side of programming for security related reasons, Java doesn't do anything for you. You can write fairly secure code with it, but it won't show you how the bad guys are exploiting things. Cobol is a non-contender in any situation. While it was good in its day, it has nothing to offer in the way of security training. RH -----Original Message----- From: dayz () planet nl [mailto:dayz () planet nl] Sent: Wednesday, 9 February 2005 7:17 Late To: security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: Programming Hi, I want to begin with learning programming to increase my knowledge about security, but I don't know where to begin. Can someone tell me which programming language is good to start with, and pherhaps what book and/or online guides I should take a look at? It would be nice that if I learn a programming language that it shouldn't be much work to understand another one. I am on Linux and Windows. Thanks for the help. Regards, Ben
Current thread:
- Re: Programming, (continued)
- Re: Programming Kevin Conaway (Feb 09)
- RE: Programming David Gillett (Feb 10)
- Re: Programming stonersavant (Feb 10)
- Re: Programming xyberpix (Feb 10)
- Re: Programming linux user (Feb 10)
- Re: Programming secans (Feb 10)
- Re: Programming Kevin Carlson (Feb 11)
- Re: Programming Gilles Demarty (Feb 11)
- Re: Programming Brian Knobbs (Feb 11)
- Re: Programming David Heise (Feb 14)
- RE: Programming Rocky Heckman (Feb 14)
- Re: Programming Brian Gehrke (Feb 17)
- RE: Programming Smith, Ryan (Feb 09)
- Re: Programming miguel . dilaj (Feb 10)
- RE: Programming David J ONEILL (Feb 10)
- RE: Programming David Gillett (Feb 11)
- RE: Programming Ernest Nelson (Feb 11)
- Re: Programming linux user (Feb 11)
- Re: Programming zl4t3 (Feb 11)
- Re: Programming Valentin Höbel (Feb 14)
- RE: Programming Schott, Erik J Mr ANOSC/FCBS (Feb 11)
(Thread continues...)