The First Programming Language You Should Learn
What’s the first programming language you should learn? While it depends on your goals, experience level, and future career plans, certain languages are better than others depending on where you want to take your programming skills. In this article, we’ll take a look at four popular programming languages (C, C++, Java, Python, PHP, and JavaScript) to help you find the one that’s right for you!
C
It’s a very low-level language, which means it won’t necessarily be easy to program in C if you don’t have prior experience with computer science. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid it! Because C is so low-level, writing code in C tends to be faster than many other languages. And because of its ubiquity on Windows and Unix systems, it also makes an excellent default choice if you want to get started with programming but aren’t sure what language to use first. In addition, many programmers feel that low-level languages like C give them more control over their code, compared with higher-level languages like Python or Ruby.
C++
If you have any interest in programming, chances are you’ve heard of C++. It’s a powerful language for certain applications and has been used in countless influential programs throughout its time. For instance, its influence is so widespread that Objective-C (the standard language for iOS apps) is derived from it. It’s not easy to learn, however; there’s a lot of details to keep track of and syntax to follow—one false move can cause a compilation error or worse. C++ can be an incredibly valuable skill but be sure that you know what you want out of it before jumping into it as your first language. Just remember: Keep at it, there will be problems along the way but they can all be fixed eventually!
Java
If you’re just starting out, Java will make things easy. It’s one of a handful of languages known as platform independent, meaning it can be run on computers that have different operating systems—Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Another reason to learn Java first is that it teaches you basic programming concepts (loops, functions) that are common across different languages and make them easier to pick up later. Lastly, if you plan on going into Android development or working with APIs (application programming interfaces), then Java is a safe bet since Android apps are typically written in Java and most APIs use it as well. If you want more than one option for your first language check out The Web Platform: Choosing Your First Programming Language [API]
Python
If you have an interest in starting a software development career, one of your first decisions is which programming language to learn. There are many different options available; some more popular than others. Depending on what you want to do with your programming skills, your choice could be very different from someone else’s. In order to help determine which language you should learn first, we need to look at how a person uses a programming language, as well as each language’s various pros and cons.
PHP
This is one of those languages that you should at least know, if not be actively using. It's a web programming language that allows you to write applications in HTML format. This makes it a great way to kickstart your skills as you can use what you already know how to do on your website and port it over to a full-fledged application. While PHP is an entry-level language, it's also one of those foundational languages where there are many uses for that you'll come across throughout your career as a programmer, so it's definitely worth at least learning when getting started out.
JavaScript
Of all of the programming languages out there, JavaScript is one of our favorites. In fact, it’s one of our go-to choices for beginners because it’s user-friendly and very forgiving if you make a mistake. It’s even popular in other platforms like iOS and Android, making it a solid choice for app development or even Web site/app design. And though many developers prefer Python for its functionality and scripting, others may find its syntax off-putting at first glance. There’s no right answer here: just choose what works best for you!
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