Choosing Your First Programming Language: A Beginner's Guide

Learning to code can be an exciting journey, but choosing the first programming language can be daunting for some.

With so many options available such as Python, Java, C++, C, and JavaScript, it is challenging to decide which language to begin with.

However, it's important to note that there is no single best language for everyone to start with. The language you choose may depend on your interests and the type of programming career you want to pursue.

That being said, we will suggest you a language based on two possible scenarios:

1. You know what field of programming you are interested in. For example, Web Development, Machine Learning, and Game Development.
2. You are not sure yet.

So, let's get started.

Pick the Language That Suits Your Needs

When you have endless possibilities of languages to choose from, narrow down the list based on your desired field.

Now that the list is narrowed, you can better decide on a language to learn. On top of that, we have provided recommendations on what language is best for each field.

For example, we recommend you learn JavaScript if you are into web development, Python for data science, Swift for iOS app development, and so on.

Here is a detailed flowchart by Coding Wolves to assist you in selecting a suitable programming language.

We hope you can make an informed decision with the information provided.

Not Sure Where to Start? Here Is What Programiz Recommends

This is where most of you probably are — you want to learn programming, but you haven't discovered your field of interest yet.

Or you just want to learn programming to improve your problem-solving capabilities.

In these cases, we strongly recommend you learn programming concepts with Python.

Why Python?

Python has an easy English-like syntax that helps you read and understand the code easily.

Programming is more about building the right logic to solve a problem. If you can do that, you can become a great programmer.

And Python lets you focus more on the logic and less on the syntax. But just how easy is Python? Let's look at an example.

Suppose you want to write a code to add two numbers.

print(2+3)

Even if you are a complete beginner, you can understand what's going on here, right? Trust me, it wouldn't be this simple with other programming languages.

Also, if you start with a hard language, you get overwhelmed by the syntaxes. Hence, you are more likely to give up or be inconsistent because the language is too hard to keep up with.

If you don't know where to begin, you can check out our Python course at Programiz Pro and start your journey as a programmer.

Python Applications

Learning Python opens up a world of possibilities. It opens doors to diverse fields, such as

• Web Development
• Data Science and Analysis
• Machine Learning
• Automation
• Software Testing
• Web Scraping
• Scientific Research
• SEO, and so on.

Whether you want to build sleek websites, crunch big data, or teach machines to learn, Python can help you bring your ideas to life.

Python Scope

Learning Python also unlocks lucrative career opportunities with competitive salaries. Here are the stats to support these facts:

Job Demand: 40,473

Salary: $102,086 annually

So, if you're looking to make your mark in the tech world, Python is your ticket to success.

Conclusion — Making the Choice

To ensure that we've helped, try to answer the following questions.

What language should I learn if I am into

• Game Development?
• Data Science?
• Web Development?
• Still Indecisive
• Don't know what I want

If your answers are

• C++, Python, JavaScript, Python, and Python

Congratulations! You are now armed with the information required to choose the programming language that best suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the possible careers in tech, if not programming?

There are many tech jobs that don't involve programming. Some of them are

• UX/UI Designer
• Project Manager
• Technical Writer
• Product Manager
• Sales Engineer
• Cybersecurity Analyst, and so on.

These jobs can be a great option if you want to avoid coding.

They offer many benefits, including competitive salaries, opportunities for growth and advancement, and the chance to work on innovative projects.

2. I'm into Web Development. Can I still learn Python?

Yes, you can absolutely learn Python if you are into web development. Python has power frameworks like Django, Flask, FastAPI, and plenty of useful libraries for web development.

Besides that, Python code is simple and concise. So it is easier to write and maintain Python code in complex web systems.

3. Will the language I learn today be useful in the future?

Programming languages do not become obsolete overnight. Many languages have been around for decades, such as C and Java. And they are likely to remain relevant for a while.

However, newer languages and frameworks are constantly emerging, and they may become more popular as they offer more advanced features, easier syntax, or better performance.

The language you learn today will be useful in the future. But you need to stay abreast of new programming languages and technologies to ensure your skills remain relevant in the ever-evolving tech landscape.