Current Events > What coding language should I learn?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Figure I might as well do something productive while we're shut in. I basically have little to none coding experience.

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The universal coding language of dance.

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C++

C#

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Python

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C#. Don't learn Python. It's very dissimilar to stronger languages, and syntactic whitespace is an abomination.

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Python, but I'll caveat that I work as a mathematician so I write more scripts and things than I do "production" code.

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COBOL
The world needs more programmers in COBOL
Though for real either Python or else Javascript (though learn HTML/CSS first but that isn't programming)

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This is probably dumb but C++ and C# are different right? <_<

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Learn SQL.

I've tried all those suggested already and none of them are as easy as anyone says. SQL is the only one true easy language to learn.

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OffTempo posted...

This is probably dumb but C++ and C# are different right? <_<

Yeah. Theres also one called C

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OffTempo posted...

This is probably dumb but C++ and C# are different right? <_<

C# is essentially Windows version of Java

whereas C++ is the spiritual successor to C.

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If you have no experience with coding I suggest Visual Basic.

It's really easy to make stuff because you design things non-programatically. Some of the syntax is annoying but the basic concepts are the same as other languages
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Define "little to none"

OffTempo posted...

This is probably dumb but C++ and C# are different right? <_<

Very. No dumb questions at this stage

warlock7735 posted...

C#. Don't learn Python. It's very dissimilar to stronger languages, and syntactic whitespace is an abomination.

I like C#, but for beginners the point is to get them familiar with the fundamentals. Python is good for that because it reads more naturally and is less fussy. No need to dump the nuances of scoping structure or syntax, static vs. dynamic typing, type inference and duck typing, etc. I have my own qualms with the language, but it's a good place to start.

Plus, with something like C# you immediately have to introduce objects, classes, methods, etc

OffTempo posted...

This is probably dumb but C++ and C# are different right? <_<

Yes, the differences are pretty big.
make an account at codeacademy and see for yourself:
https://www.codecademy.com/courses/learn-c-plus-plus/lessons/cpp-hello-world
https://www.codecademy.com/courses/learn-c-sharp/lessons/csharp-hello-world

Both are going to do the most basic thing ever, literally make a program that puts the text "Hello World" on the screen. It takes less than 5 minutes t odo it

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Oh and most things online will go through the advantages/disadvantages and what's "best".
To put it simply: you want to learn to ride a bike. But have no idea what kind of riding you want to do. Dirtbike, road, cross country, whatever. All require different skillsets but the basics are the same: stay upright, don't fall, pedal, brake, etc.

Any language will work, some are easier than others. Python is usualyl recommended for the basic concepts because it's more like pseudo-code to begin with, which is a mixture of english and actual programming when explaining concepts.


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Well, what do you want to do with it?

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CreepySmile posted...

Oh and most things online will go through the advantages/disadvantages and what's "best".
To put it simply: you want to learn to ride a bike. But have no idea what kind of riding you want to do. Dirtbike, road, cross country, whatever. All require different skillsets but the basics are the same: stay upright, don't fall, pedal, brake, etc.

Any language will work, some are easier than others. Python is usualyl recommended for the basic concepts because it's more like pseudo-code to begin with, which is a mixture of english and actual programming when explaining concepts.

spot on

Anteaterking posted...

whereas C++ is the spiritual successor to C.

Not so much a spiritual successor as just a successor period. C++ is actually a superset of C.

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Python, it's fun

Veggeta_MAX posted...

Learn SQL.

I've tried all those suggested already and none of them are as easy as anyone says. SQL is the only one true easy language to learn.

SQL is separate from the rest though. All you can do with SQL (by itself) is manipulate databases. I agree it's definitely useful to learn, but if TC wants to make programs, SQL is not the first choice I'd pick.

DevsBro posted...

Well, what do you want to do with it?

Idk. Think it'd be cool to learn.

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So it sounds like Python is for beginners, generally pretty easy to handle and nothing too advanced.

The "C" ones are more advanced and are usually whats used for programming things.

SQL and COBOL and the other ones mentioned are more specific within their own field then.

Is that right? If so it sounds like Python is the right place to start then I think. Any other things I should know before I choose one to sit down and learn?

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oh I was joking about COBOL don't do that, please.
SQL is more of a "use it in a specific way for a specific purpose", usually you need other IT skill sets first like databases or something.

Python is fine, C/C#/C++ isn't bad but there are more tutorials aimed at Python I Think for beginners, especially since it's a something recommended for beginners.

All I'll say is ideally have some sort of a goal in mind eventually one you get the basics but make it realistic.
Designing a hangman game? Doable and recommended. Making a game of pong? harder but doable. Making tetris? Good luck since you will give up.

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DevsBro posted...

Anteaterking posted...

whereas C++ is the spiritual successor to C.

Not so much a spiritual successor as just a successor period. C++ is actually a superset of C.

Unless you want to get really, really, really anal and bring up issues like the difference between C and C++ NULL or stricter type casting :^)

but if you ever run into those issues regularly in production code you're already crying yourself to sleep every night anyway so w/e

if I had to elect a spiritual successor to C it would be D

Go. Do this tour of the language all online: https://tour.golang.org/welcome/1

Go is practical yet simple to a fault. It's an excellent first language. People suggesting C, or way worse C++, need to lay down the crack pipe. I like those languages, but they're terrible for a first language. You'll be too bogged down by details. The best way to learn is by doing and the best way to get motivated is to see results. You'll see results much faster with a higher level language.

I didn't say Java or C# because those also add unnecessary details with the forced object-oriented style. I didn't suggest a language with dynamic typing since those form bad habits.

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Python

Also: yes it is easier to pick up, but dont let the "for beginners" stuff let you think its not a professionally viable language.

It is huge in the data science world, and the large software company i work for has a lot of applications running on python. And yes it is good for throwing together a quick script too

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FWIW, Data Science programs want people who have knowledge of Python.

And don't knock COBOL--I recently saw an article that there is a shortage of people who know that language, but it's still used on the machines that process--wait for it--stimulus checks! So the government was looking for people who knew COBOL.

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If I'm not mistaken (and I may be), python is actually the world's most popular language these days. Plus, it takes out a lot of the irritations of programming, though it does have some of its own. The disadvantage is it doesn't have C-like syntax like many of the most popular imperative languages, so if you later want to learn something else you'll be at a disadvantage.

The next best combination of ease and general-case use are probably Java and C#. Both are good choices. Java is my preference because everything is done explicitly unless you go out of your way for it (for example, implicitly called accessors on properties in C# can do more than the user is counting on) but C# is generally ahead of Java in terms of new convenience technologies, so it's sorta up to you.

Next would be C and C++. They're extremely popular, and the lingua franca so to speak of the programming world. They're also known as the fastest, but on the other hand, every language these days cites "C-like speed" as a plus, which I haven't really spent the time to investigate the validity of. I wouldn't really dig in here just yet. They're more used for low level stuff these days because they're a little trickier, but highly compatible with stuff. A definite must if you start to really get into it though.

Those are most of your most popular general-purpose imperative languages. There are seriously tons of languages but many of them are designed for a specific purpose, even if they can be used for more stuff. For example, SQL is all about data management, and Javascript is designed for client-aide scripting on a website. You can use them for more than that but it's kinda like driving nails with a wrench. Others are functional languages, which are very powerful but not as popular and less intuitive.

Somebody above mentioned Visual Basic. It's a nice language, really, but I wouldn't really recommend it over C#, which has most of the same advantages and also has C-like syntax, unlike VB's less popular Ada-like syntax.

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Bet. Python it is then.

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CreepySmile posted...

oh I was joking about COBOL don't do that, please.

I dunno. There's all sorts of "legacy" systems out there running on FORTRAN and COBOL, and neither of those have been widely taught for about twenty years.

Questionmarktarius posted...

CreepySmile posted...

oh I was joking about COBOL don't do that, please.

I dunno. There's all sorts of "legacy" systems out there running on FORTRAN and COBOL, and neither of those have been widely taught for about twenty years.

COBOL is an exercise in masochism. FORTRAN is a little more refined, but still 60+ years old and largely relegated to scientific computations, supercomputers, etc. Nobody really writes code in Fortran anymore, they just maintain it.