10 answers
Bryce
Student
Yutan, NE
1
Question
Asked
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Which programming language should you learn first?
I want to become a computer programmer and would like to know which programming language to I should start to learn first.
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10 answers
Brad Schmitt
Principal Solutions Architect
4
Answers
Kansas City, Missouri
Updated
Brad’s Answer
Hi Bryce!
I would highly suggest looking into Python if you haven't already. It's great for anyone who wants to get into programming and can be used for many different things. For example, with Python you can:
- build a website
- automate various tasks
- perform analysis of large data sets
- build data visualizations
There are plenty of tutorials and resources available to help get you started. Best of luck to you!
https://www.python.org/
https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-courses/python-classes/
I would highly suggest looking into Python if you haven't already. It's great for anyone who wants to get into programming and can be used for many different things. For example, with Python you can:
- build a website
- automate various tasks
- perform analysis of large data sets
- build data visualizations
There are plenty of tutorials and resources available to help get you started. Best of luck to you!
https://www.python.org/
https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-courses/python-classes/
Dean Biron
Software Engineering Manager
5
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Dean’s Answer
If you want to learn general programming concepts, Python is a popular starting language. The structure of the language is easier to learn than some others and there are great books and tutorials available that teach programming and computer science topics with Python. Visual Basic is also an easy language to pick up but it is a bit dated at this point.
Computer languages come and go in popularity, though, so it may be helpful to ask yourself what kind of programming you want to do. For example, if you want to create web sites, javascript and Node.JS are a good starting point, along with HTML and CSS. If you want to create mobile applications then you may want to learn Swift for iOS or Java for Android.
Some other languages to consider that can be fun but more challenging, maybe as a second language: Ruby or C/C++
Computer languages come and go in popularity, though, so it may be helpful to ask yourself what kind of programming you want to do. For example, if you want to create web sites, javascript and Node.JS are a good starting point, along with HTML and CSS. If you want to create mobile applications then you may want to learn Swift for iOS or Java for Android.
Some other languages to consider that can be fun but more challenging, maybe as a second language: Ruby or C/C++
Matt Whelan
Software Engineer
20
Answers
Beaverton, Oregon
Updated
Matt’s Answer
There's a lot of reason to recommend Python, which is probably why it keeps coming up. Mostly, it's a pretty easy language to write poorly :) It's also used heavily by people who need to do heavy data lifting but aren't software professionals.
A forgiving learning curve is really important for a first language, because it's hard to build the right mindset initially, and it would be easy to get discouraged if you chose a demanding language. Your first language will be where you learn about loops, arrays, functions and all that good stuff. All the concepts that come up in almost every language you'll work with.
Your first language isn't going to be your last though. Fortunately, once you know one or two, you'll realize that they often have similarities, and that learning the next language is easier than the first, because a lot of what you've learned transfers. Inevitably, the next language will have a few important differences from the ones you already know, and you'll learn a slightly different way of thinking about problems.
Whatever your first language is, try to pick a significantly different language to learn later on. If you start with Python, maybe try Haskell for your third or fourth language, to get a feel for how a strong type system can help you solve problems, and the way you think when you're using a pure functional language.
Picking a first language isn't as big a decision as it feels like, because you'll be learning new things for the rest of your career.
A forgiving learning curve is really important for a first language, because it's hard to build the right mindset initially, and it would be easy to get discouraged if you chose a demanding language. Your first language will be where you learn about loops, arrays, functions and all that good stuff. All the concepts that come up in almost every language you'll work with.
Your first language isn't going to be your last though. Fortunately, once you know one or two, you'll realize that they often have similarities, and that learning the next language is easier than the first, because a lot of what you've learned transfers. Inevitably, the next language will have a few important differences from the ones you already know, and you'll learn a slightly different way of thinking about problems.
Whatever your first language is, try to pick a significantly different language to learn later on. If you start with Python, maybe try Haskell for your third or fourth language, to get a feel for how a strong type system can help you solve problems, and the way you think when you're using a pure functional language.
Picking a first language isn't as big a decision as it feels like, because you'll be learning new things for the rest of your career.
Daria Mikita
55
Answers
Gdańsk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Daria’s Answer
Try with Python since it is easy language and it has many great courses
Uma Annamalai
Software Engineer
6
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Uma’s Answer
I would recommend Python! Python is a great starter language since its syntax is a bit more readable and comprehendible off that bat compared to other programming languages.
As you get started, I would highly recommend actively learning the language by coding simple apps and projects to get familiar with structure and syntax. Video tutorials are also great as long as you are coding alongside the lecturer.
Here are a few sites with good beginner tasks:
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-python-3
https://www.learnpython.org/
As you get started, I would highly recommend actively learning the language by coding simple apps and projects to get familiar with structure and syntax. Video tutorials are also great as long as you are coding alongside the lecturer.
Here are a few sites with good beginner tasks:
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-python-3
https://www.learnpython.org/
Rahul Bamola
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Rahul’s Answer
My suggestion would be start with python as it is general purpose programming language. It will cover most of the developments like front end development, APIs , data science etc. It is easy to learn.
Somesh Rathi
Software Engineer
4
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Somesh’s Answer
I would suggest learn java..
- Its one of the most matured language , which has survived in all the times.
- More than 3 billion devices runs java.
- Most of application you use daily - bank website , online shopping etc , every where mostly java is used.
- Large ecosystem is there - Stackoverflow , discussion forum , free developer tools like intellij etc
- It has promising career path.
- Do some java certification.
- Its one of the most matured language , which has survived in all the times.
- More than 3 billion devices runs java.
- Most of application you use daily - bank website , online shopping etc , every where mostly java is used.
- Large ecosystem is there - Stackoverflow , discussion forum , free developer tools like intellij etc
- It has promising career path.
- Do some java certification.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1536
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you are interested to learn programming.
Below are my suggestions;
1. Pick up a simple programming language to start first eg Python, Scratch, etc
2. Learn the language structure & syntax. There are plenty of resources online
3. Try to do simply programming and then do some simple projects, eg control a toy car or toy robot, etc. Practice makes perfect
4. Try to learn another programming language after you familiar with one.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions;
1. Pick up a simple programming language to start first eg Python, Scratch, etc
2. Learn the language structure & syntax. There are plenty of resources online
3. Try to do simply programming and then do some simple projects, eg control a toy car or toy robot, etc. Practice makes perfect
4. Try to learn another programming language after you familiar with one.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Gregory Swift
Engineering Leader
6
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
Python was the language that I found to be the easiest to start with, particularly because of its native REPL (read-evaluate-print-loop) interface if you just run `python`. I did end up using an improved version called `ipython` which really improved the experience.
There are tons of resources available: https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers
It can be used for anything from a simple quick script to advanced distributed computing to data analytics.
It definitely isn't a perfect language, and has some idiosyncrasies so don't let yourself get wrapped around the idea that the python way is the right way.
There are tons of resources available: https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers
It can be used for anything from a simple quick script to advanced distributed computing to data analytics.
It definitely isn't a perfect language, and has some idiosyncrasies so don't let yourself get wrapped around the idea that the python way is the right way.