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Selecting a programming language to learn can really feel like a loaded determination that can decide the destiny of your coding profession. And whereas deciding on that first language is a memorable step, you all the time have the choice to “take a mulligan,” or a do-over, and try another language.
In truth, you actually can’t choose the wrong programming language to study if you’re first beginning out. Most programmers dabble in a number of programming languages as they advance of their careers, and since many languages share ideas and rules, you’ll be choosing up invaluable foundational abilities regardless.
For those who’re nonetheless feeling stumped, our free course Choosing a Programming Language will assist information you to a call. We’ll introduce you to the preferred starter languages, clarify the important thing elements to contemplate if you’re choosing a language, and set you up with beginner-friendly programs and tutorials.
Study one thing new without cost
To show that there’s no singular path to changing into a programmer, we requested members of the Codecademy workforce to share the very first language they discovered and why they chose it. As you’ll see, everybody has to start out someplace — and regardless of which language you land on, there’s all the time a possibility to study extra.
HTML/CSS and JavaScript
“I discovered HTML/CSS and JavaScript for my first languages as a result of my mother wanted assist making a web site.” – Nik Dolan-Stern, Curriculum Developer
PHP
“I discovered PHP and MySQL at across the identical time. I selected these as a result of I wished to create a web site with content material generated from a database; and to be completely trustworthy, on the time PHP and MySQL was merely probably the most widespread/fashionable language combo for this.” – Ada Morse, Curriculum Developer, Knowledge Science
Pascal
“I discovered to program within the late ‘80s, early ‘90s utilizing a program on my Macintosh Plus known as HyperCard. The language used was known as AppleTalk. It resembled any procedural language like C and Pascal, each of which I discovered shortly after. Pascal was the language used for my AP Laptop Science course in highschool. Macs didn’t help plenty of compilers at the moment. I had to make use of pals’ PCs to do my AP CS work, and I carried a duplicate of the Pascal compiler on a 3.5″ floppy disc in my backpack.” – Jace Van Auken, Curriculum Developer
Java
“The primary language I discovered was Java as a result of I wished to build learning apps for Android phones.” – Sylvana Santos, Software program Engineer
“The primary programming language I discovered was Java. It was the language utilized in my introductory programming class at college, so I didn’t have a alternative. After college, I took just a few Codecademy courses on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to strive them out. The primary programming language that I dedicated to in earnest was Lua, as a result of an engineer good friend advised it to me. There’s a game framework known as LOVE2D that makes use of Lua, and he thought I may need enjoyable constructing a recreation.” – Nick Duckwiler, Software program Engineer
Python
“My first programming language was Python, and I acquired launched to it at my Intro to Programming course in school. I’d by no means accomplished programming earlier than school, and enrolled within the course with a imprecise curiosity within the idea of programming. It was actually eye-opening to study programming ideas in Python, which is why I ultimately majored in Laptop Science
Python is a great choice for a primary language into programming as a result of it means that you can study key ideas with out having to fret an excessive amount of about complicated syntax, such as you’d should find out about in case you have been studying it through Java or C. However I’ve additionally taught programming ideas utilizing JavaScript and p5.js, which is a visible programming library. p5.js means that you can reveal ideas visually, which I do know is efficient for extra complicated ideas, like objects and lessons.” – Jiwon Shin, Curriculum Developer, Internet Growth
“I first started to code utilizing Python; it was advisable to me for the simplicity and ease of understanding of the language and relative ubiquity. However I’d say the primary language I actually discovered was Ruby, principally because of the Ruby on Rails neighborhood and this book. I’d advocate anybody beginning out study both Python, Ruby, or JavaScript, as a result of they’re all a bit extra approachable.” – Connor Baker, Software program Engineer
jQuery
“I used to be obsessive about each Pokémon and the Wild West internet of the ‘90s, so I discovered HTML and CSS to make a Pokémon web site to share my fanart and Pokémon Pinball excessive scores. For one thing that’s a programming language and not a markup language — the primary language I discovered was in all probability Python, however nothing got here of it in addition to collecting Linux distributions. For my first net dev job out of school, I picked up the jQuery library. To get one thing out quick, it was simpler for me to study jQuery than vanilla JavaScript.” – Jasmine English, Software program Engineer
Hopefully it’s reassuring to listen to how skilled programmers navigated the early days of their coding careers. You’ve got so many options to choose from depending on your goals, and there are distinctive advantages to studying every language. Remember to try the free Codecademy course Choosing a Programming Language — it’ll enable you to really feel assured that you simply’re choosing the proper language for you. And bear in mind: For those who change your thoughts and resolve to study one thing new, Codecademy has the courses and skill paths it’s essential to get began.
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