If you are interested in learning how to code, you might be wondering which programming language you should start with. There are hundreds of languages to choose from, each with its own syntax, features, and applications. How do you decide which one is the best for you?
The answer is: it depends. It depends on your goals, your preferences, and your resources. Different languages are suited for different purposes, such as web development, data science, game development, or mobile development. Some languages are easier to learn than others, but they may not be as powerful or versatile. Some languages have more resources available online, such as tutorials, courses, books, or communities.
However, there are some general criteria that you can use to narrow down your options and choose a programming language that will help you achieve your coding goals. Here are some of them:
- Popularity: A popular language means that there is a high demand for it in the industry and that there are many resources available for learning it. It also means that there is a large community of developers who can help you with your questions and problems.
- Simplicity: A simple language means that it has a clear and concise syntax that is easy to read and write. It also means that it has fewer rules and exceptions that can confuse beginners.
- Flexibility: A flexible language means that it can be used for a variety of purposes and platforms. It also means that it has many libraries and frameworks that can extend its functionality and make your coding easier.
- Fun: A fun language means that it allows you to create something interesting and useful with minimal effort. It also means that it gives you feedback quickly and lets you see the results of your code.
Based on these criteria, we have selected four programming languages that we think are the best for beginners: Python, JavaScript, Java, and Ruby.Python:
Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that is widely used in web development, machine learning applications, and software industry. It is a general-purpose language, meaning it can be used to create a variety of different programs and isn’t specialized for any specific problems. Python is currently the most widely used multi-purpose, high-level programming language. Python allows programming in Object-Oriented and Procedural paradigms. Python programs generally are smaller than other programming languages like Java.
Programmers have to type relatively less and indentation requirement of the language, makes them readable all the time. Python has a simple syntax similar to the English language. Python has syntax that allows developers to write programs with fewer lines than some other programming languages. Python runs on an interpreter system, meaning that code can be executed as soon as it is written. This means that prototyping can be very quick. Python can be treated in a procedural way, an object-oriented way or a functional way.
JavaScript:
JavaScript is a lightweight, interpreted, or just-in-time compiled programming language with first-class functions. It is a prototype-based, multi-paradigm, single-threaded, dynamic language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and declarative (e.g., functional programming) styles. JavaScript is one of the languages all web developers must learn: HTML to define the content of web pages. CSS to specify the layout of web pages. JavaScript to program the behavior of web pages.
JavaScript is a weakly typed language, where certain types are implicitly cast (depending on the operation). JavaScript is an object-oriented programming language that uses prototypes rather than using classes for inheritance. It is a light-weighted and interpreted language. It is a case-sensitive language.
Ruby:
Ruby is a dynamic, open source, object-oriented and reflective programming language. Ruby is considered similar to Perl and Smalltalk programming languages. It runs on all types of platforms like Windows, Mac OS and all versions of UNIX. It is fully object-oriented programming language.
In Ruby, everything is an object, including primitive data types. It was designed with an emphasis on programming productivity and simplicity. Ruby is dynamically typed and uses garbage collection and just-in-time compilation. It supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming.
Scratch:
Scratch is a visual block-based programming language designed for children aged 8-16. Children can create games, animations and stories in a fun-filled manner while also learning to reason and think creatively.
Scratch is used as the introductory language because the creation of interesting programs is relatively easy, and skills learned can be applied to other programming languages such as Python and Java. Scratch is not exclusively for creating games. With the provided visuals, programmers can create animations, text, stories, music, and more. Scratch is also an online community where creators can share their projects and be inspired by other projects.
Java:
Java is a high level, robust, object-oriented and secure programming language. Java was developed by Sun Microsystems (which is now the subsidiary of Oracle) in the year 1995. Java is an object-oriented language which gives a clear structure to programs and allows code to be reused, lowering development costs.
Java works on different platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc.) and is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Java has a large demand in the current job market and is easy to learn and simple to use. Java is open-source and free, and is secure, fast and powerful.
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which programming language is best for beginners. The choice depends on various factors such as the individual’s goals and interests, the type of projects they want to work on and their learning style. Some popular options for beginners include Python, JavaScript and Java. Ultimately, it’s important to choose a language that you enjoy working with and that will help you achieve your goals.