Choosing your first language

Choosing your first language

As a starter it’s the most important - and most confusing - decision so let’s tackle this one.

Jack of all, master of none

Most people find it better to focus on a single language instead of learning multiple ones simultaneously since this allows you to understand it better and get used to its unique concepts. Focusing on learning the concepts in one language thoroughly can take you to great heights in this career.

But which one should you choose?

Choosing your first programming language can be tough since you know nothing of the difficulties awaiting you.

There are 3 things you should have with you before choosing a programming language:

• End goal

• Computer

• Will power

Let’s tackle them one by one!

End goal

Ask yourself the question: why do I want to learn programming? Do you want to create cool games, websites, solve the Rubik’s cube in a split second, or just want to show off to your friends? Each one of these requires a different approach, and therefore a different programming language.

Don’t get me wrong, you can do all of these in the same language, but it might not be as easy as you think.

Computer

As a starter you don't need a beast pc - the most regular everyday computer or laptop would do. You can use smartphones and tablets as well, although it’s usually harder to type on them since you don’t have a proper keyboard. And it’s important to practice every day; you won’t become good at programming just by watching videos or reading blogs.

Programming languages

• Java

• Python

• JavaScript

• C#

• Ruby

• :

And many more.

But which one to choose?

After taking a look at this chart you are probably thinking to go with JavaScript or Python but hear me out there are many differences between them. Let’s look at some typical use cases of the most popular programming languages.

Python

Python is the easiest language to learn - in fact, that is its main focus. It is widely used for scripting or creating easily modifiable applications. For example, you can add new functionalities to the popular GIMP image editor via Python. And it is the best language if you want to get into careers like data science, machine learning or deep learning.

Java

Java is the hero of portability - the same Java application can run on both Windows, Android, Linux and iOS. It is also optimized for creating both the server and client-side applications. Java might be a bit more confusing for the first time but it uses the standard naming conventions so if you have experience with Java you can easily shift to other languages.

JavaScript

JavaScript is widely used in web development - all the fancy sites are built on this nowadays. It is super easy to make interactive GUIs and browser applications using JavaScript. It is also present in server-side applications and even in game development. Also, just to clarify, JavaScript has nothing to do with Java.

C++

C++’s second name is performance: if you want something to be as quick as possible then it is likely to be the right choice. But as such, you lose time in the development of the program: writing code in C++ usually takes much longer due to its lack of usable libraries in many fields. It is best used in game and software development.

These are just some of the most common programming languages, but there are many more. I would recommend you to do your own research on them.

Making the choice

Now that you know how different programming languages are used differently pick one suited for your end goal. Don’t be afraid to change if you feel like it isn’t working out - but keep in mind that learning a programming language is just like learning any language: it takes a lot of time, effort, and continuous practice. 

Motivation

Staying motivated can be tough sometimes, especially in these times. I would recommend you to watch some youtube videos, read blogs, and try to connect with other people with similar interests. And of course, follow our blog.

Conclusion

If you made it this far then you have your endpoint fixed and your vehicle ready. But wait: you don’t have a roadmap and for that, you have to wait till next week.

And for those who couldn’t fix the endpoint or choose the vehicle, I would recommend you to do some research and ask out for help.

By:-

Rohan: rohansiddeshwara@gmail.com

Tibetiroka:tibetiroka@gmail.com