If you’re a beginning coder, the vast sea of programming languages out there can be pretty intimidating.
So which ones should you learn?
Well, you’re in luck, because in this article I’m going to go over 5 great programming languages for beginners.
Java
A highly influential and longstanding programming, Oracle’s Java is a core language used in applications on the web, offline, operating systems, across all platforms and numerous devices. Oracle is an object-based, class-based language with deep features that’s created to be both workable and portable across a wide range of platforms.
Java is an incredibly popular programming language used worldwide. It’s an amazingly valuable language to learn when you’re first learning to program. The one downside to Oracle’s Java is that despites its high applicability and portability, it actually pretty challenging to grasp and takes a lot of skill to program efficiently and effectively.
Java is often championed though as a solid starting programming language due to its ability to compel you to think and process information as a programmer would – to employ logic, think analytically, and truly grasp how a computer processes information. These are fundamental skills that you’ll need once you’re ready to advance to more complex technologies and languages.
Ruby
An open-source, dynamic, object-oriented language, Ruby is a relatively young language. It features easy-to-read and writes syntax, that doesn’t require having to learn a broad range of commands and a highly technical “vocabulary” base to get going with. Although it features an object-oriented language, Ruby supports functional, procedural and imperative programming – a factor that allows it to be highly flexible.
Easy to learn, Ruby provides a quick-start guide on its website that will let you get comfortable with the basics in no time. Ruby also has an active, vast and loyal developer community that’s focused on the programming language’s success.
Python
Designed in the 1980s, Python is considered to be one of the first languages that people could absorb and learn quickly. It’s most often used as a scripting language, letting programmers quickly pump out significant amounts of functional, easy-to-read code. But Python is also dynamic, it supports procedural, object-oriented functional methods of programming, making it one of the world’s most highly used programming languages.
And while Python doesn’t start you at square one, it still offers instruction in things like modularity, indentation and stresses the value of naming convention that assists you working with and learning other languages. Python’s has a great development community that encourages the language being used as a tool for teaching so they’ve provided a bunch of documentation and learning tools to help beginning coders wrap their minds around it.
C/C++
Both C and C++ have been with us since the 70s and 80s. C is an all-purpose, popular, imperative language that’s had a big influence on just about every other language that’s come after it.
By contrast, C++ has gone farther by adding object-oriented based features that include classes to learn the language, templates, and virtual functions. One of the most popular languages in the world, C++ is as widely used today as ever with it being involved in everything from productivity software to video games. And while C++ is a touch more challenging to get going with than C, a lot of folks will tell you that you can just skip C and go straight to C++.
Another thing to know about the two languages is that they provide great foundations for learning programming and computer science. By learning C and C++, you’ll gain insight into the core roots of computer programming and computer science, with a lot of users claiming that the learning process is similar to learning how to build a car in order to know how to drive.
C and C++ have their pros & cons, but many who recommend them as starter languages say you’ll develop a richer grasp of programming if you begin with one or both of them. In fact, learning these languages as a beginner can be the difference maker in whether you become a good or great programmer. If you’re not planning on coding professionally, then good vs great might not really matter to you, but it’s something to consider. C and C++ are both applicable to applications such as ANSI C which is a program used in Arduino microprocessors and Robot C, an app used within robotics.
A final thing that makes C and C++ a good recommendation for beginning programmers is that it’s been well-noted that starting with them make the other languages seem less difficult.
JavaScript
A scripting language created in the 1990s, JavaScript is a core technology on which the internet is based.
The language of JavaScript is dynamic, giving programmers the ability to implement object-oriented programming in addition to imperative and functional ones. A lot of its syntax is derived from C, and if your goal is to do web development, learning JavaScript should be at the top of your to-do list.
Relatively easy-to-learn, JavaScript is built right into your browser and although it’s been around a long time, it still gaining popularity. You get a lot of bang for your buck with JavaScript since you can not only learn to program through it, but you can go ahead and start to create things on the web.
One final bonus with JavaScript is that if your goal is to become a professional coder, JavaScript is one of the most highly demanded languages for a programmer to know.
Also check : Juliar : New High-Performance Security Programming Language in development.
Conclusion
There you go! Learning programming isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but by starting out with one of the above languages and understanding the key success principles, you’ll give yourself a great chance of getting the fundamentals down in a relatively manageable and stress-free way. Just work hard, relax, and stick with it – you’ll do great.
Rick Riddle is a marketing consultant and an up-and-coming blogger whose articles aim to help people with digital marketing, blogging, entrepreneurship, career, tech and self-development. Follow @rickrddl on twitter to follow up with his latest publications.
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