Need Advice: Which Programming languages to learn?

Discussion in 'Mixed Languages' started by Amateur_Linux User, Dec 5, 2017.

  1. Amateur_Linux User

    Amateur_Linux User MDL Junior Member

    Nov 9, 2017
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    I would like some opinion on what's a good programming language. Not exactly looking to learn for a career but for my own interest in leisure time. Thanks.
     
  2. Michaela Joy

    Michaela Joy MDL Crazy Lady

    Jul 26, 2012
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  3. zeemok

    zeemok MDL Novice

    Dec 22, 2015
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    For a newbie I would say python, it's a amazing language and incredibly easy to learn. And it's also becoming very popular in the professional field.
     
  4. Michaela Joy

    Michaela Joy MDL Crazy Lady

    Jul 26, 2012
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    @zeemok: I have to agree with you. Python is quite powerful.
     
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  5. Satoshi19

    Satoshi19 MDL Member

    Jun 15, 2017
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    Python, C#, HTML5
     
  6. Godwin Vivian Lewis

    Godwin Vivian Lewis MDL Novice

    Feb 4, 2018
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    You should try Kotlin.
    It is a modern programming language with a clean syntax. Kotlin can interoperate with Java and is now an official language for Android development ;)
     
  7. Michaela Joy

    Michaela Joy MDL Crazy Lady

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  8. Muerto

    Muerto MDL Debugger

    Mar 7, 2012
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    #8 Muerto, Feb 12, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2021
    ...
     
  9. Erik B

    Erik B MDL Member

    Oct 10, 2008
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    I started with C. I had some casual insight into javascript and visual basic though. C teaches you the basic classics in programming like understanding pointers, arrays and memory handling. C is confined and overlookable. It appealed to me being kind of a list of intellectual challenges to overcome and when you reach the end of the list, you're done. There are no shortcuts, you need your code to be correct to be successful. C trains your logic and forces you to be precise, encourage you to a minimalistic coding ideal. Most importantly, you build a solid foundation for your programming skills and a confidence of code understanding.

    C is important as a library interface to other languages e.g. C++ or Java for its easy modularity.

    The downside with C comes when you need to organize your program, manage flows, reuse code etc. It is the stage when you realize the purpose of objects, classes, templates and class diagrams. Here you can continue to C#, Java or C++, bringing your solid C background as an asset.
     
  10. hakah

    hakah MDL Member

    Apr 4, 2014
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    Michaela.Joy:Thanks for the link for Kotlin !
     
  11. Edward Teixeira

    Edward Teixeira MDL Novice

    Sep 5, 2018
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    Great post!
    I'm learning C on my programming classes, so far is a good language to learn, even though i don't really know what can i do with it outside the "academic" stuff though. Next semester we are going to learn Java, so i guess i'm going to drop C eventually.
     
  12. As my programming teacher said : "Don't code for code, code for a precise aim, and for a need you personnaly have"

    I can't code more than a simple calculator though hah, but I think his advise is gold.

    As for recommendations, Python is quite handy and apparently simpler compared to C (mostly because it's higher level)
     
  13. Michaela Joy

    Michaela Joy MDL Crazy Lady

    Jul 26, 2012
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    @sayopara: I agree. Another thing to remember is that a programming language is no different than any other tool in your tool belt.
    Use the tool that gets the job done in as little time as possible with as little effort as possible.

    With that said, learn the basic concepts of as many languages as you can. You'll be able to tell right away which language is best for the job at hand.

    @Edward: The beauty of C is portability. It's actually very simple to learn. Just like every other language, it's up to you to apply good programming
    etiquette and write clear, concise code.

    Remember: You might be working on your own code at some later time. So make it easy to read.
    Don't make the mistake of over-commenting. Just comment things that are not clear.
     
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  14. ccbiggs

    ccbiggs MDL Novice

    Jan 24, 2010
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    If you haven't done any previous coding before, I would really not worry about which language to learn first, because it will just make your head explore. I would recommend learning programming logic using some of the free IDE's (integrated development environment) with interactive consoles. With these you just type in your code and immediately see the result and you won't have to worry about the whole build process. If you are a Mac user there is Xcode, it has a playground where you can learn the Swift language (similar to C# and Java). If you are a windows user there is Visual Studio Code which has a interactive playground for C# and then there is JavaScript where you can use any Web Browser. The idea is just to get you thinking in a logical way and once you are comfortable you can go hardcore in any or as many languages that you like.
     
  15. somakuna

    somakuna MDL Novice

    Dec 14, 2018
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    If you learn the base C++ you will better understand other languages. But, my opinion: Python
    Very very nice syntax
     
  16. thegreatblizzard

    thegreatblizzard MDL Novice

    Feb 18, 2018
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    Aren't there C API bindings for designing the interface? There are articles on writing programs in C for Android, I thought that would be the case.
     
  17. Michaela Joy

    Michaela Joy MDL Crazy Lady

    Jul 26, 2012
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  18. thegreatblizzard

    thegreatblizzard MDL Novice

    Feb 18, 2018
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    Thank you very much! This is useful info.
     
  19. QueenOfTech

    QueenOfTech MDL Junior Member

    Apr 2, 2019
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    You can do Cross-Platform mobile development using React Native and other front-end technologies. This way you can build for android, ios and windows phone platforms
     
  20. ralphbryant

    ralphbryant MDL Novice

    May 15, 2019
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    if your passionate and can give some time,then I would recommend python