D&D hopeful (noobie) seeking advice.

Hello, i'm new to table top roleplay and have taken an interest lately after watching a few streams of D&D games, i was turned towards roll20 as the best place to start, but as of currently im still quite green around the edges and would appreciate some guidance. As the title suggested i'm a D&D hopeful, this being my first choice for games so far, though i'm open to others as well. I know the basic jist of how games work, the inner workings and core rules elude me somewhat still. My first main question would be what is a good character generator for a noobie like myself to use, i have a race and class in mind, as well as backstory, ive seen several character generators but i'm unsure of my bounds and what would be suitable, and also what format to put my character sheet in to begin applying for games etc. My second main question would be how to go about finding a game, ive seen you can search for games on the site and looked at a few, but my main question is once i throw my character sheet into the fray and say i'm interested what is the next step? i hope i don't come across as a complete noob as this is still quite new to me, any and all advice is welcomed as to how i can start my tabletop career. Thank you. Edit. I'd also be greatful if someone could point out the basic differences between the editions of D&D, as well as tips/rules etc. Though ive noticed most people seem to be playing the 4th edition version, so any advice for that version would be helpful as it might be easier to find a game for it than others.

I believe that for your first character, you should use the book and pen and paper.  This will allow you to get a real understanding of what the numbers and powers mean.  Character generators fill in a lot of those numbers for you and don't give descriptions. As far as format, there are probably some pdf's and excel sheets floating around that you can fill in. To me, each edition added more ways to make your character more of an individual by adding more options.  Fourth edition seems to use some mechanics that represent features found in some online games...your character is much more "heroic" than in previous editions (in the past, the difference between you and the innkeeper was a class and a "PC" stamp on the forehead), abilities/powers have something similar to cooldowns, and your character can be summed up by what "role" he plays in the game (healer, tank, dps, support).  I think this was done to give new players some familiar-feeling mechanics. But at the end of the day, you're still slaughtering orcs, gathering treasure, and saving the world from impending doom...and most importantly, having fun.

I have to agree with Nathan about using the old way to create a character instead of using a generator as you will gain a better understanding of what it all means. Now while you can use the pen and paper style you can also get sheets that can be filled in such as from Myth Weavers it is a free site that has many different character sheets that you fill in and also do some of the math for you. Seeing as it is your first time I would also suggest waiting until you find a game that way your GM/DM can work with you to create the character. They will be able to answer any questions you have, give suggestions when needed and a whole bunch of other helpful things. I also say this as I personally think that you shouldn't make a character then attempt to find a game, but the other way around. Each DM/GM may have different rules or settings or the like that could seriously influence your choices. Plus as mentioned it allows you to work with the DM/GM to create something suitable.  If you decide to go ahead and make the character anyways and apply it, the next step is waiting to see if you are approved for the game. Most DM/GM's will send you a private message saying you are accepted or with a link to their campaign. If you do not hear back from them after a few days or the start time for the game then it is probably safe to assume that you were not selected at which point you get to apply again.  

I also agree with the voiced opinions of find a game first then work with the GM to build your character. As stated before, a lot Gm's have their likes and ways they want the characters created that range anywhere from restricted books to a point buy to a 4d6 roll and drop the lowest die to other ways. Find a game that interest you and talk to the GM : That is probably the first step you need to do. The reading books and sites can be secondary. The creating a character other than for practice and learning how to should wait for the GM. I know for a fact that I have turned down characters that was premade just because it wasn't made with my tweaks in mind.

It is very cool that you have a character story in mind that you want to play. Your imagination is going in the right direction, and you are going to have fun playing.  Now imagine your character as one of a troupe of characters in your head, a bunch of different character types you would be interested in playing.  From my experience as a player (tabletop and Roll20), you are likely to try several different campaigns, with different GM's.  Each Game Master might have slightly different game system (the different editions of D&D for example), and "house rules", the ones that matter for you especially are called "Character creation" house rules.  Because of this, you want to meet the GM, and be invited into the game, and read the Character Creation rules or ask the GM about this, then make your character.  This is when you do a casting-call for all the characters in your mind.  What type of character, that you always wanted to play, would work with this GM's character creation rules?  How does this GM's introduction about the "world" influence your character concept? When you go to "Apply" for games, first read the introductions and get an idea what the game world is like, if possible.  High magic (lots of magic) or low magic (like a medieval setting)?  What character classes are allowed?  Now if you have a very basic, sketch outline of your character idea that might work for this game, mention it casually in your post to apply.  You might write something in your application like, "Hello, I am a new player, and I am expressing interest in your D&D game on Roll 20.  I was thinking about playing an Elf if that would work.  Can I join your game?" and basically introduce yourself like the 1st post of this thread. :) You will be ready to make a different character if your 1st one happens to die (it happens sometimes in D&D, and of course in real life it naturally happens to everyone eventually).  Or if the game ends, or if it's not a good fit for you, and you go to try a different campaign, you usually want to think of a new character each time not repeat the same one. Good luck and enjoy your gaming! 

Moved to Off-topic - Gauss

Thank you too all the people that responsed to me, your advice has helped push me in the right direction, i noticed most of you said the same thing reguarding character creation and ive taken your words to heart and understand your point. Since as stated some DM/GM's might want different classes or races in their setting, and if the game is already ongoing they might want a class that can help aid them to replace what they lost if they did. So i'll leave character creation until ive spoken to said DM/GM of any game i join.  I'm currently looking into joining a game i'll put what was said here, hopefully into getting accepted and having fun with the group, thank you again i appreciate it.

good luck and enjoy. If you have a question then just ask because as you notice people will answer you and do their best to help.

Agree with people above, as character creators automatically fill things for you while if you DIY you will tie everything up and know that this 2 strenght will give you +1 to hit, dmg, str checks, climb and swim, so you think about it that way. About character - while some GM have strict guidlines i prefer if ppl make character they have distinct idea about, not roll one just for this particular game.