If you are interested in learning how to code, you might be wondering which programming language you should start with. There are so many options available, such as Python, Java, C++, C#, and JavaScript, that it can be overwhelming to decide. However, there is no single best language for everyone, and the choice depends on your personal goals, preferences, and interests.
In this blog post, I will share some tips on how to choose a programming language to start, based on four simple steps:
- Define a clear goal and what you want to do with coding
- Find the field you want to focus on, such as web development, data science, or game development
- Decide between back-end and front-end development, or learn both
- Know how you want to make money with coding, such as freelancing, working for a company, or creating your own products
Let’s go through each step in more detail.
Step 1: Define a clear goal and what you want to do with coding
The first step to choosing a programming language is to define a clear goal and what you want to do with coding. This will help you narrow down your options and find the language that best suits your needs.
For example, do you want to code just for fun, or do you have a specific project in mind? Are you curious about how things work behind the scenes, or do you want to create something new and original? Do you want to switch careers and get a job in tech, or do you want to enhance your current skills and knowledge?
By answering these questions, you will have a better idea of what kind of programming language you need to learn. For instance, if you want to build websites, you will need to learn web development languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. If you want to analyze data and make predictions, you will need to learn data science languages like Python or R. If you want to make games, you will need to learn game development languages like C++ or C#.
Step 2: Find the field you want to focus on, such as web development, data science, or game development
The next step to choosing a programming language is to find the field you want to focus on, such as web development, data science, or game development. This will help you further narrow down your options and find the language that is most relevant and popular in your chosen field.
For example, if you want to focus on web development, you will need to learn how to create websites and web applications that run on the internet. Web development can be divided into two parts: front-end and back-end. Front-end development deals with the visual and interactive aspects of a website, such as the layout, design, and user interface. Back-end development deals with the logic and functionality of a website, such as the data, security, and performance.
Some of the most common and widely used web development languages are:
- JavaScript: A scripting language that runs on the browser and allows you to add dynamic and interactive features to your website, such as animations, pop-ups, and forms. JavaScript is also used for back-end development with frameworks like Node.js and Express.js.
- HTML: A markup language that defines the structure and content of your website, such as the headings, paragraphs, images, and links. HTML is the backbone of every web page and is essential for web development.
- CSS: A style sheet language that describes the appearance and formatting of your website, such as the colors, fonts, margins, and layouts. CSS is used to make your website look attractive and consistent across different devices and browsers.
If you want to focus on data science, you will need to learn how to collect, analyze, and visualize data and make predictions and insights from it. Data science can be used for various purposes, such as business intelligence, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data.
Some of the most common and widely used data science languages are:
- Python: A general-purpose, high-level, and versatile language that is easy to read and write. Python has a rich set of libraries and frameworks for data science, such as NumPy, pandas, matplotlib, scikit-learn, and TensorFlow, that allow you to perform various tasks, such as data manipulation, data visualization, statistical analysis, machine learning, and deep learning.
- R: A specialized, low-level, and powerful language that is designed for statistical computing and graphics. R has a comprehensive collection of packages and tools for data science, such as dplyr, ggplot2, tidyr, and shiny, that allow you to perform various tasks, such as data wrangling, data visualization, statistical modeling, and interactive dashboards.
If you want to focus on game development, you will need to learn how to create games and game engines that run on various platforms, such as desktop, mobile, web, and console. Game development can be divided into two types: 2D and 3D. 2D games are games that have a flat and pixelated appearance, such as Super Mario, Tetris, and Flappy Bird. 3D games are games that have a realistic and immersive appearance, such as Grand Theft Auto, Fortnite, and Minecraft.
Some of the most common and widely used game development languages are:
- C++: A low-level, compiled, and fast language that gives you direct control over the hardware and memory. C++ is the most popular language for game development, especially for 3D games, as it allows you to create high-performance and complex games and game engines. C++ is also used with game engines like Unreal Engine and CryEngine, which provide ready-made tools and features for game development.
- C#: A high-level, interpreted, and modern language that is easy to read and write. C# is the main language for game development with the Unity game engine, which is one of the most popular and versatile game engines for both 2D and 3D games. C# is also used with game engines like MonoGame and Godot, which provide cross-platform and open-source tools and features for game development.
Step 3: Decide between back-end and front-end development, or learn both
The third step to choosing a programming language is to decide between back-end and front-end development, or learn both. This will help you determine which languages you need to learn to create the type of applications you want.
As mentioned earlier, back-end development deals with the logic and functionality of an application, such as the data, security, and performance. Back-end development is also known as server-side development, as it involves communicating with the server, database, and API. Back-end development is responsible for storing, processing, and delivering the data and information to the front-end.
Some of the most common and widely used back-end development languages are:
- Python: A general-purpose, high-level, and versatile language that is easy to read and write. Python is one of the most popular languages for back-end development, as it has a rich set of libraries and frameworks, such as Django, Flask, and Pyramid, that allow you to create powerful and scalable web applications and APIs.
- Java: A general-purpose, high-level, and object-oriented language that is compiled and runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java is one of the most widely used languages for back-end development, as it is fast, reliable, and portable. Java has a large and mature ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, such as Spring, Hibernate, and Spark, that allow you to create robust and enterprise-level web applications and APIs.
- JavaScript: A scripting language that runs on the browser and allows you to add dynamic and interactive features to your website. JavaScript is also used for back-end development with frameworks like Node.js and Express.js, which allow you to create fast and lightweight web applications and APIs using the same language for both the front-end and the back-end.
Front-end development deals with the visual and interactive aspects of an application, such as the layout, design, and user interface. Front-end development is also known as client-side development, as it involves communicating with the browser, HTML, and CSS. Front-end development is responsible for displaying, formatting, and interacting with the data and information from the back-end.
Some of the most common and widely used front-end development languages are:
- JavaScript: A scripting language that runs on the browser and allows you to add dynamic and interactive features to your website, such as animations, pop-ups, and forms. JavaScript is the most essential language for front-end development, as it is the only language that the browser can understand and execute. JavaScript also has a lot of libraries and frameworks, such as React, Angular, and Vue, that allow you to create modern and responsive web applications and user interfaces.
- HTML: A markup language that defines the structure and content of your website, such as the headings, paragraphs, images, and links. HTML is the backbone of every web page and is essential for front-end development, as it tells the browser what to display and how to organize it.
- CSS: A style sheet language that describes the appearance and formatting of your website, such as the colors, fonts, margins, and layouts. CSS is used to make your website look attractive and consistent across different devices and browsers.
You can choose to focus on either back-end or front-end development, or learn both. Learning both will give you a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of web development, and make you a more versatile and in-demand developer. However, learning both can also be more challenging and time-consuming, as you will need to master multiple languages, technologies, and concepts.
Step 4: Know how you want to make money with coding, such as freelancing, working for a company, or creating your own products
The fourth and final step to choosing a programming language is to know how you want to make money with coding There are different ways you can make money with coding, such as freelancing, working for a company, or creating your own products. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on your personal preferences, skills, and goals.
If you want to make money with freelancing, you will need to learn how to market yourself, find clients, negotiate contracts, and deliver quality work on time and within budget. Freelancing can be a great way to earn money with coding, as you can have more flexibility, variety, and autonomy in your work. However, freelancing can also be challenging, as you will need to deal with uncertainty, competition, and isolation.
Some of the most common and lucrative programming languages for freelancing are:
- Python: A general-purpose, high-level, and versatile language that is easy to read and write. Python is one of the most popular and in-demand languages for freelancing, as it can be used for various projects, such as web development, data science, automation, and scripting. Python also has a rich set of libraries and frameworks that can help you create powerful and scalable solutions for your clients.
- JavaScript: A scripting language that runs on the browser and allows you to add dynamic and interactive features to your website. JavaScript is also one of the most popular and in-demand languages for freelancing, as it can be used for both front-end and back-end development, as well as mobile and desktop applications. JavaScript also has a lot of libraries and frameworks that can help you create modern and responsive web applications and user interfaces for your clients.
- PHP: A scripting language that runs on the server and allows you to create dynamic and interactive web pages. PHP is also one of the most common and widely used languages for freelancing, as it can be used for various projects, such as e-commerce, content management, and blogging. PHP also has a lot of libraries and frameworks that can help you create secure and robust web applications and APIs for your clients.
If you want to make money with working for a company, you will need to learn how to apply for jobs, pass interviews, work in teams, and follow best practices and standards. Working for a company can be a great way to earn money with coding, as you can have more stability, security, and mentorship in your work. However, working for a company can also be limiting, as you will need to follow the rules, deadlines, and expectations of your employer.
Some of the most common and sought-after programming languages for working for a company are:
- Java: A general-purpose, high-level, and object-oriented language that is compiled and runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java is one of the most widely used and respected languages for working for a company, as it is fast, reliable, and portable. Java is also used for various projects, such as enterprise applications, web applications, and mobile applications. Java also has a large and mature ecosystem of libraries and frameworks that can help you create robust and scalable solutions for your employer.
- C#: A high-level, interpreted, and modern language that is easy to read and write. C# is one of the most popular and admired languages for working for a company, as it is powerful, expressive, and versatile. C# is also used for various projects, such as web applications, desktop applications, and game development. C# also has a rich and comprehensive set of libraries and frameworks that can help you create elegant and efficient solutions for your employer.
- SQL: A domain-specific language that allows you to manipulate and query data stored in relational databases. SQL is one of the most essential and valuable languages for working for a company, as it is used for various projects, such as data analysis, data warehousing, and business intelligence. SQL also has a lot of variants and extensions that can help you work with different types of databases and data sources for your employer.
If you want to make money with creating your own products, you will need to learn how to identify problems, validate ideas, design solutions, and launch products. Creating your own products can be a great way to earn money with coding, as you can have more creativity, ownership, and impact in your work. However, creating your own products can also be risky, as you will need to deal with uncertainty, competition, and failure.
Some of the most common and innovative programming languages for creating your own products are:
- Swift: A high-level, compiled, and expressive language that is designed for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS development. Swift is one of the most modern and innovative languages for creating your own products, as it can help you create beautiful and engaging applications for Apple devices and platforms. Swift also has a lot of features and tools that can help you write safe, fast, and concise code for your products.
- Ruby: A high-level, interpreted, and dynamic language that is easy to read and write. Ruby is one of the most elegant and creative languages for creating your own products, as it can help you create web applications, scripts, and prototypes with minimal code and maximum productivity. Ruby also has a lot of libraries and frameworks, such as Ruby on Rails, Sinatra, and Jekyll, that can help you create powerful and scalable web applications and websites for your products.
- Kotlin: A high-level, compiled, and pragmatic language that is designed for Android, JVM, and native development. Kotlin is one of the most emerging and promising languages for creating your own products, as it can help you create cross-platform and multi-platform applications for various devices and platforms. Kotlin also has a lot of features and tools that can help you write concise, safe, and interoperable code for your products.
I hope this blog post has helped you choose a programming language to start. Remember, there is no single best language for everyone, and the choice depends on your personal goals, preferences, and interests. The best way to learn a programming language is to practice, experiment, and have fun with it. Happy coding!