Which programming language should you learn first?

yusufbirader.com

2 points·exposition··6 comments

Languages are becoming more and more dumbed down. These languages become the standard learning languages. Eventually Python will become too complicated for the next generation of developers who are are learning low-code platforms. When that happens we'll read posts from our kids about how Python is not fun because it involves too much learning and us old timers will all be rolling our eyes.

Yep, very true. They'll probably be using English to prompt some model :)

Python and Ruby are great languages to start with but definitely not the end goal (for anyone who really wants to gain a deep understanding). They make the transition to understanding lower level languages e.g. C a lot smoother.

I disagree. I believe it works much better to start low level and then use higher level languages.

You start by learning how to do math on paper before being given a calculator.

I don’t think that analogy is accurate. Python and Ruby capture the essence of programming- they still require one to think logically and structure problems in precise computational language.

Yes, they do operate further from the underlying hardware- but as a beginner, this isn’t really important. Once you’ve grasped the basics, languages like C become a lot more accessible and you can better appreciate what the higher level languages do for you.

I guess it’s personal preference at the end of the day.

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