Heyy, I’m learning programming and trying to choose a focus, I saw you can make web/backend w node, desktop (bloatware but discord uses it so if it works it works), games (not AAA and not optimized for performance but it shouldn’t matter for indie too much) Is there anything that compares? I wanna focus on one thing instead of spreading myself over a ton of languages, I do feel js is interesting for this, but I’m just starting out, so looking to hear some thoughts of people more familiar with programming.
I’ve been making my living as a developer for more than 40 years. My take is that languages come and go. All of them are compromises that do some things better and more easily than other things. It doesn’t really matter what language you learn first, as long as you understand that what you really need to learn are the underlying concepts, not the syntax or the libraries. If you do that successfully, you will be able to pick up new languages relatively quickly.
I kept expecting “that said, JavaScript is…” At the end haha
There is no “most versatile programming language”. That is a myth.
The choice of a programming language for a project depends on the projects requirements. It could be a script language like Python, PHP, JS, or even Perl or Bash. Or something compiled like C, C++, Rust, or even Pascal or Prolog. It always depends on the project.
Heck, if you have to build something sticking to a COBOL or FORTRAN system, using anything else would probably a stupid idea in the first place.
So if anyone tells you “Programming language X is the one and only solution for everything”, it is more an admission of a severe lack of knowledge and experience.
While this is true, I will say there are some languages built for very specific problems that make poor tools for general use.
Trying to build a distributed web app in Matlab or Mathematica would either be a flex or a complete waste of time, for instance.
That’s what i said: the right tool for the right job.
Once you learn and master one language, the main concepts will usually transfer across, and with minimal effort youll be able to pick up any other language.
So starting with JS is fine, but don’t be afraid of switching later down the line. Choose the right tool for the job.
If this is your first language I wouldn’t focus on variety too much. Just pick something and start building. Once you pick up one language, the next one will be easier. On that note, Typescript (JavaScript with type enforcement) is a great first language. It’s multi-paradigm so you get exposure to lots of concepts and can use it in many different ways. That means you can learn tons of concepts without having to learn the syntax of another language first.
Make sure you use typescript, not JS. I’m assuming this is a learning experience for you. You’ll learn about type enforcement, get much more out of your IDE, build safer programs, and be better prepared for your next language.
DM if you have any questions about getting started as a developer.
Knowing Javascript is super useful. You’ll get a lot of people recommending other languages, mainly because Javascript has its quirks that will bother you eventually. Those are valid criticisms of Javascript. But it is useful because of how universally available it is. Web apps get hate for being slower than native apps, but it is nice being able to put a browser-based project together, knowing that basically every computer on earth will be able to run it.
I think your general idea is correct. You’ll probably also find that, once you know one language, you’ll end up picking up others much more quickly.
I’ve always thought that it’s easier to learn something if you are somehow drawn towards that thing. So if you find Javascript appealing, go for it. Don’t bother trying to learn the “perfect” or “best” programming language; there isn’t one anyway.
The best language for starting is the language you find easiest to learn.
But Rosetta Code lists a lot of programming tasks solved in a lot of different languages. Just browse a bit and if you’re lucky you just fall in love with one of the languages. Then, difficulty doesn’t matter.I would Start with rust today. The compiler always tells you what is wrong and there is a clear way of doing things. It is a bit harder to pick up but you will get a better understanding of why things work.
The learning material is also good.
For me the JS ecosystem is a nightmare. It changes so frequently and it seems not to be the place where thoughtful engineers build stuff. Just the wild west. To exhausting for me.
My current favorite language is Rust. But I would never advice beginners to start with. Rust requires a deep understanding how memory works. Without the knowledge it is just fighting the borrow checker, which can be fustrating for beginners. For the same reason I would never advocate for Java: it is pretty hard to write java without understanding the oop paradigm.
Javascript is used everywhere, yes, but you definitely should spread your focus to other languages as a student. At minimum definitely dig into C for low level understanding and rigor, and a “real language” like C# for exposure to all the great features and paradigms in that world.
Learn what looks like it makes sense to how you think. I’d argue Python is still #1 with js at #2. There’s still a ton of crusty Perl and Java holding more than you want to know together as well, so you have choices.
Javascript is a language full of weird quirks. A language with fewer footguns would probably be smoother for learning fundamentals. Python is pretty good in terms of letting you do the thing, instead of making you find a third party library (not that one, that’s deprecated) or having unexpected default behavior ( in JS
[1,2] + [3,4]is the string1,23,4, for example)TypeScript adds more guard rails, but is a little more complex to get going.
Learning more programming languages isn’t the hard part of becoming a decent programmer. You’re optimizing for the wrong thing here.
You should choose a language that works well for the specific projects you think you’re going to do in the near term. Depending on exactly what sort of projects you want to do, Python, Typescript, C++, and Rust are all languages I might recommend. I wouldn’t recommend raw Javascript for anything other than doing some tutorials before learning Typescript.
Without more information, I’d recommend Python.
While it might not be the hardest part, I do feel it is a factor, so all things being equal i think it can help to choose a good first programming language that will help out the on-boarding process.
What I’m trying to say is that you should choose the programming language that will make your learning and early projects easiest.
Learning a new language later is not hard. Trying to use the wrong tool for the task when you’re just learning is hard, and will teach you the wrong lessons.
I appreciate the tip, I might end up on python, seems interesting and fast (to write not run lol)
The only legit reason to use javascript is if you need something that runs in a web browser. Unless you do need that, pick a better language.
what would you personally consider a better language? like which ones would you recommend for someone starting out?
Python is fine, or maybe Java. They’re both widely used and therefore “versatile” — because what matters there is not the language itself but the libraries and such that are easy to find and use. Python is probably easier to get started and do fun things with, but Android apps are typically Java which might make a difference since you mentioned mobile apps.
I don’t really like mobile, even less with all the constant changes towards (more) mobile surveillance, i just included it as another versatility thing (in case i ever need to build mobile) but python can be used to build things with UI? like with a good way to write UI for your programs? I see python mostly on cli
There is a Python library for everything. That’s what makes out so versatile. If performance is not an issue and it doesn’t need to run in the browser, Python is virtually always an option.
You can write VR games in Javascript. https://immersiveweb.dev/
Figure out how that makes you feel and you’ll have your answer on whether JS is right for you.
Traitor!!!
Wide varety of things is something, but maybe ask yourself what would you like to build? What interests or excites you? And then make a choice based on options that are suited for that thing. I wouldn’t be motivated unless I was building things I like and find fun.
I’d say technically it’s Rust, because you can do everything from embedded/kernel development to web frontends (via WebAssembly).
I do like the versatility, but I agree with what has already been commented, that you shouldn’t worry about this yet.
Newbie programmers always consider it a daunting task to learn a new language and then you’re a few years in and just inhale a new language on a weekend for fun.And when I say fun, I do mean that it’s actually educational to learn multiple languages. They emphasize different concepts, which gives you a new perspective and new patterns for solving problems.
