Which programming language should I start with?

Many tech enthusiasts and beginners often face the dilemma of choosing their first programming language, especially when they feel the pressure to decide quickly. I was once in that position myself.

This situation is akin to the information overload we experience today, fueled by the Internet.

With a plethora of options available, it can feel like you're missing out on one thing if you choose another.

I'm here to help you make that decision today, and in turn, assist those you interact with.

First things first, I want you to see a programming language like a tool needed to accomplish tasks - we can deduce then, that different languages solve different tasks better.

It's like having a stencil set of writing materials (pencil, pen, marker, highlighter, maybe chalk 🙃) and having to pick which one to use. I'm sure you figured that it depends on the writing surface. It's the same with programming languages.

The next thing to know is, it's often difficult to stay on only one programming language if you want to have a successful tech journey. Well, the exception is you're a language developer. It's often a mix of two or more languages and other tools - what techies call 'stack'

||You may have heard the question: what's your stack?

Here's how the languages compare:

C: C is an early high-level programming language known for its efficiency and control over system resources.

It serves as a foundation for many modern languages and is widely used in system programming, embedded systems, and performance-critical applications.

It is optimized for speed and is often used in game development, robotics, and high-end applications.

Despite its age, C remains relevant due to its robustness and control over system operations.

C++: is an extension of the C programming language that includes object-oriented features and additional libraries. It is widely used for system/software development, game development, and high-performance applications due to its efficiency and control over system resources.

Python: The most popular language today, with simple and easy-to-understand syntax. Python is optimized for AI, ML, and robotics. It's also the language of choice for Data Science and analysis.

Java: A versatile language used for building large-scale applications, Android development, and enterprise solutions.

JavaScript: Primarily used for web development to create interactive websites. It's essential for front-end development and increasingly used on the server side with Node.js.

HTML/CSS: Not programming languages but essential for web development. HTML structures content on the web, while CSS styles it.

Kotlin: A modern language designed to interoperate fully with Java. It's primarily used for Android development and offers a more concise syntax than Java.

This list is not exhaustive, and new languages are being developed regularly. Each language has its strengths and use cases, so the choice depends on what you aim to achieve.

Here's what I think!

If you have an idea of your career path and it's requirements (I suggest you do a research) then go ahead and learn the necessary languages - no need to learn everything.

But if you're simply interested in the tech world, and you feel a programming language is the way to go, then go ahead and learn Python. The learning curve isn't steep, and you'll quickly get a picture of how real world problems are solved.

I suggest you get a course that is project-based. This will keep your enthusiasm up as you go.

Summary

Be systematic in your learning (don't just pick videos at random over the Internet), I can't stress this enough. It might seem slow in the beginning, but the rewards are seen later.

Don't spend too much time learning, for the best way to learn is by doing. Have regular practice with projects. Make mistakes and correct them as you go.

In the end nothing beats experience.