Programming, coding, and development are becoming essential skills for the industry. People with programming skills are required to work on almost everything from running automated mining operations to setting up a supermarket cashier. This demand for experienced programmers has led to an increase in the number of people trying to learn the basics of programming. For many people, the path from the computer illiterate to the programming genius begins with the search for the most widely used programming languages .
Before you begin, it is important to note that not everyone is asking " ¿ What programming language to learn first? ”With the same goal in mind. Someone with an academic background who wants to learn basic programming concepts to aid their research will have completely different requirements than someone who wants to pursue a career as a back-end web developer. Therefore, determining which programming language to learn first will depend on the person in question and their needs.
Now, determining which programming language is easier is not easy. By easy, I mean the easiest to learn, easiest to write, easiest to solve or easiest to work with? Do I mean something completely different? Unfortunately, there is no simple answer, it is for this same reason, that I am going to focus on the most used programming languages .
In this article, I have provided my preferences for the easiest programming languages to learn. I think choosing an easy to learn programming language is practically essential to be successful. The most difficult programming languages may seem interesting, but chances are you are more likely to get confused and give up if you try to learn them.
Before you start looking for which programming language to learn first, you need to ask yourself why you want to learn that language. In fact, it is that almost all programming languages are suitable for specific use cases, which means that your end goals greatly influence the programming language you choose.
Some of the main reasons to learn the basics of programming are:
Turn it into a professional career
One of the most common reasons people start programming is for the simple fact of making it a career. If you are tired of what you are doing and think it might be time for a change, then learn to program. Highly experienced programmers and developers can earn six figures per year without a problem and right now there is a great demand for decent programmers.
Learning to program will teach you Discipline, Accuracy and Attention to detail
Writing code is difficult. If you have doubts about your ability to decide which programming language to learn first, then you should first reconsider your options, if you are not sure, you will find it extremely difficult to become a successful programmer. But why?
- Programming requires extreme precision. Even an error can render an entire block of code useless, which can translate into hours of wasted time.
- Even if you choose the simplest programming language , you will need to commit and develop a sense of discipline to succeed.
- Once you start writing your own shows, you'll soon learn to pay close attention to detail. If you don't, you will end up wasting hours of your time.
Even if you are not a developer, programming can get you a promotion
Such is the influence of programming today. That people without any programming knowledge can quickly advance in their professional careers simply by learning a new language. Take the following as an example:
Imagine that you are a researcher from a well-known university. In order to write your own research and data analysis programs, you decide to learn the Python language . Suddenly, you find yourself waiting for a job as a principal investigator or professor, simply because now you can write computer programs!
This is just an example. The real message here is that no matter what field you choose, programming has the potential to boost your career.
With this in mind, let's take a quick look at some contenders for the easiest programming language to learn in 2018.
What are the easiest programming languages to learn?
In response to popular demand, I have decided to put together a detailed list of which programming language to learn first and which are the easiest today. Remember that new languages are created regularly and they all focus on ease of learning and use, so this list will not be definitive or long-term.
Before I get started, I'll give you a few details to consider when looking for which programming language to learn first. Each one of these points was considered (when applicable) and were taken into account when putting together this list:
- Ease of learning the programming language . This includes not only learning the syntax, but also learning to write programs or applications with it.
- Ease of solving problems with the programming language . A language that is super easy to learn, but difficult to solve, will not be easy for beginning programmers.
- Resources available to students of a programming language . This means that many of the languages described below are among the most popular in the world, simply because the sheer amount of resources available means that they will be much easier to learn.
Now without further ado, here are the contenders for 2018's easiest to learn programming language , in no particular order.
If you ask a modern group of programmers; " What programming language to learnFirst? "It is very likely that some of them will respond to JavaScript. As one of the world's most widely used programming languages , JavaScript has traditionally been used for front-end development. However, it is also becoming the programming language of choice for back-end developers, leading to a surge in demand for JavaScript developers.
JavaScript is installed in every modern browser, which means you can practice almost anywhere. Once you start learning JavaScript, this chance to practice will be invaluable. Instead of simply discovering concepts and ideas, you will be able to put them into practice just by playing with the code in your web browser.
Now, some people might say that JavaScript is a really difficult programming language to learn. However, I believe that with the large amount of resources available, they make it practically easy to master. The ability to practice from anywhere, puts JavaScript on par as possibly the easiest programming language to learn.
If this interests you, it's time for us to take a look at the wide range of JavaScript courses available. BitDegree offers two courses that are perfect for programmers looking to learn the JavaScript language.
First, the JavaScript Video Tutorial gives you an hour of clear and concise videos where you will learn the basic concepts of the syntax, good programming habits and a wide variety of potential uses of the language. Secondly, the Interactive JavaScript Tutorial will give you in detail the functions and concepts of the JavaScript language, in addition to teaching you how to develop your own website.
Ruby is a high-level programming language , which allows full-stack development, through the popular Ruby on Rails structure. It was designed to be easy to learn, easy to use and much more fun. If you want to boost your career as a full-stack web developer and are wondering which programming language to learn first, then Ruby is the easiest for you.
Originally designed for video game development, Ruby has very clear code that reads exactly like English. This makes it super easy for beginner programmers to understand. Some of the main benefits of learning Ruby include:
- It is a gratifying language. Ruby allows you to create games or websites without much knowledge. This means that you will spend less time learning syntax or concepts and more time practicing. Learning like this is much easier and more rewarding, making Ruby an excellent language for beginners.
- It is quite flexible. As a dynamic type language, Ruby can be used to create many things. This is clearly shown in the fact that it was originally designed to write code used in video game development, but is now mostly used for website development.
- It has a great community. Ruby has many followers around the world. This is extremely beneficial for people trying to learn their first language, as it means that help and tutoring are readily available.
With an average salary of just under six figures and a high demand for developers, there is great potential for career advancement through Ruby, even if you have no prior programming knowledge.
If you've been asking " ¿ What programming language to learn first? You should consider Ruby. BitDegree offers a clear and concise Ruby on Rails Course , specifically designed for beginners with very little programming knowledge.
Many experienced programmers might argue that the Python language is undoubtedly the easiest to learn. Actually, they are right. The Python language is relatively simple, it is taught in schools around the world, and it is very easy to read and understand. If you are looking for what programming language to learn then Python would be first on the list.
When you decide to learn the Python language , you will see that you will not have to waste time learning the syntax or conventions. It is very easy to read, this means that the commands you enter will be very similar to the English language. This will give you much more time to focus on general concept learning and writing practice for your own code.
The Python language is widely loved by scientists and academics around the world. In fact, it is used by NASA , to write programs for their various space research projects! If you work in the field of science, learning Python will help you advance your career or in any case get a promotion.
If Python interests you and you think it is the easiest programming language to learn, then take a look at this Python Online Course . With nearly four hours of video tutorials divided into 49 lessons, this course will cover almost everything you need to know to get started. You will learn Python syntax and how to use it, common uses of the Python language and how to use Python libraries and databases.
A newcomer to the world of programming, Go, also known as Golang, is a new programming language that is a direct alternative to Python. Created by Google in 2007, Go has grown steadily over the years and is currently used for things like web and mobile development. Like Python, Go is versatile, easy to use, and allows basic code to be written quickly.
Unlike Python, Go is very useful when it comes to creating more complex systems or programs. It eliminates the most common bugs that plague Python developers, thus, it has gained a large following worldwide. Some of the reasons why I think Go is one of, if not the easiest programming language to include:
- It is super simple. It has been done based on the simplicity of Python and how easy it is to follow its code. However, Go is said to be even easier to follow, making it perfect for beginner programmers.
- It is fast, which means it is ideal for developing websites and games. These are two of the most common jobs for first-time developers, making Go a great first programming language .
- It has a clear syntax. One of the things that makes the Go language so simple is its clear programming syntax. This makes it very easy for beginners and means they spend less time learning the rules of the language and more time writing and / or practicing the code.
If you think Go is the easiest programming language for you to learn, then subscribe to a course today! A quick Google search will reveal a large number of online courses. Do some research, subscribe to your favorite course, and start learning!
The Java language is right next to Python, for a number of reasons: It is also ancient, it is instantly recognized by most people (at least the name) and it is the most popular programming language in the world. Now, although some people would argue with us about this, I think the Java language is really a contender when it comes to the easiest programming languages to learn.
As I mentioned earlier, Java is an extremely popular language. This means that there is a large amount of resources available for those who want to learn it. Generally, a lot of support means that you will find it very easy to learn Java, increasing your chances of becoming a half-decent programmer.
Java is also a very versatile language that can be used for a wide variety of things. Some of our favorite Java features have a place in this list:
- As I have already mentioned, the large number of resources to help you learn the language.
- The fact that it is an open source programming language . This may not mean much to you, but it will be in the future.
- It is a universal language used for everything from mobile development to backend web development.
- It is easy to learn due to its English-like syntax and its rules are relatively simple.
As you can see, Java is a great language for beginners. BitDegree offers an excellent Java Beginner Course , which will teach you everything you need to know to start your journey through the amazing world of programming.
Although it is not strictly a " programming language ", HTML has managed to appear in this list due to its simplicity and ease of both learning and use. It is used for front-end web development, specifically for content management. Have you ever wondered how webmasters are able to change the font, position, color and size of a text? The answer is with the HTML language .
Now if you ask " ¿ What programming language to learn first? "But you hesitate to answer because you are afraid of the difficulty of learning a new language, so HTML could be an excellent starting point. It is not as difficult as any of the most used programming languages , but it will still give you a very good introduction to programming.
Sure, you can't do much with HTML, but that is beside the point.
If you think learning an easier language like HTML is the right way to start programming, check out these courses available on the BitDegree platform. First, this Complete HTML5 Tutorial will teach you everything you need to know about the latest version of the HTML language , along with the ways in which you can put your newly acquired knowledge into practice.
Second, the HTML Beginner Course will provide you with an hour of video tutorials covering all aspects of the HTML language , you will learn the syntax of the language, how to create forms, buttons and how to integrate JavaScript code.
PHP is said to be the programming language of the Internet. It was designed for website development and does its job extremely well. In fact, it is so good for web pages that over 80% of the internet uses PHP in some way.
As you can imagine, this means there is and always will be work for experienced PHP developers. It is a relatively easy language to understand, making it perfect for beginners. It was originally designed to help simplify the web development process, which means it is generally easier to learn. In fact, some people argue that you don't even have to understand PHP code to put it together.
As a dynamic type language, PHP is very flexible. This makes it relatively easy to put together a functional code, as there are fewer rules to follow and many more ways to achieve the same result. PHP has a very large online community, making it an excellent programming language for beginners who will surely need support while learning the basics of programming.
If you think the PHP language is for you, you should take a look at one of the two PHP courses available at BitDegree. Firstly, Learn PHP Online will teach you the basic and main concepts of PHP, secondly, Become a PHP Specialist , you will apply the concepts of PHP in creating a website.
Finding which programming language to learn first is never easy. Different people will be for or against different programming languages, so there really is no definitive answer when determining which programming language to learn first or which is the easiest.
In my opinion, the programming languages described in this article are among the best for beginners. All are easy to learn, easy to use and have the potential to help you on the job. If you really want to become a programmer, keep the following in mind when deciding which programming language to learn first:
- What kind of work do you want to do. For example, you wouldn't learn HTML if you wanted to enter the field of back-end development.
- How much programming knowledge do you have. If you already have a good amount of programming knowledge, you can probably learn much more difficult languages.
- How long can you invest in a programming language . Many more complex languages require a large investment of time, while the simpler ones such as HTML are much faster to learn.
Be sure to do enough research before deciding to learn a programming language and learn how and where the chosen language is used. Good luck, have fun and most importantly, get out there and start programming!
This time we will quote 5 programming languages, which I consider, are an excellent option if you want to learn to program.
While it is true that there are dozens of programming languages that we can start with, it is not a very good idea to just take one and learn with it, why? Because programming languages are tools and are designed to solve certain problems, of course, each language has a completely different learning curve. It would not be advisable to start with an extremely difficult language, this can discourage many, making them think that programming is not for them. So from my point of view it is better to start with powerful language with syntax and active community.
Well, with that said, let's get started.
PYTHON
Python is without a doubt one of the most popular programming languages today. Much has been said about this language, with it we can develop practically any type of software, from video games, web applications, desktop applications to software where we can implement artificial intelligence.
If you are wondering if it is possible to create applications for mobile devices, android or IOS using Python 🤔 let me tell you yes, there is currently a project called BeeWare that allows us to do this and much more.
With an extremely simple syntax and a mantra that emphasizes good practices and code readability, the Python learning curve is extremely low.
A perfect option to start programming.
RUBY
Something of utmost importance when selecting our first programming language is its syntax. We need a language whose syntax is easy to understand and expressive, and yes that's what Ruby is all about. Ruby is my favorite syntax programming language.
The Ruby syntax is extremely expressive, so much so that sometimes we can see the ruby code as a pseudo code. Reserved words like unless, until, retry among others, as well as the syntactic sugar of being able to use question marks and admiration make ruby can teach other programming languages a couple of things.
Currently Ruby is an excellent option if what you want to do is create your own web pages. Ruby has a web Framework called Ruby on Rails, once you use it let me tell you, you will not see other frameworks the same way anymore.
SWIFT
It is undeniable that today the mobile world has more and more weight in society. Every day more people are connected through the internet using a smartphone or tablet. That is why a very good idea is to learn a programming language which allows us to enter this great market for mobile applications.
In this case I recommend learning Swift , a programming language developed by Apple engineers. Like the previously mentioned languages, Swift has a very low learning curve, its syntax is extremely readable and the Apple ecosystem allows the development process to be agile.
If for some reason you do not want to develop mobile applications for Apple, do not worry Swift is not limited to only this type of applications, Swift can be implemented in many other areas.
KOTLIN
Kotlin is another excellent option if you want to develop mobile applications, in this case for Android.
Although Java exists as another option when developing Android applications, the code that we write Kotlin will be much more expressive and readable.
There is no point of comparison between the speed that one can have when learning Java vs Kotlin .
TYPESCRIPT
And last but not least, a good option to learn programming is TypeScript . If you are a programmer, perhaps you expected JavaScript , but no.
TypeScript is a programming language developed by Microsft engineers. TypeScript converts previously written code to JavaScript code , an extremely popular programming language that can be executed on both the server and client sides, including robots.
So if you tell me that TypeScript converts everything to JavaScript , why not learn JavaScript ? 🤔 The answer is simple, sometimes JavaScript does not shine much for its syntax. Although JavaScript is easy to learn, sometimes the same language leads us to write not so readable code, code that over time can become a little headache. To get around this and start with TypeScript best practice .
If you have been involved in this world of programming, you have surely found out that there are quite a few programming languages. This story is intended for people who want to learn to program or for developers who want to improve by 2020.
I am going to present you 5 programming languages that I consider to be the best options to learn in 2020. These languages that I chose are widely used in the IT industry and have many benefits. If you master any of these programming languages, you can get your ideal job (and salary).
If you want to be a web developer you definitely have to learn JavaScript. It is a very easy to learn programming language and it works for practically everything. You can develop web applications, servers, desktop applications and even even mobile applications.
JavaScript is used a lot in front-end development, mastering this language alone will not be enough to be a good front-end developer, there are other skills that you have to master , but the wonderful thing is that when you already master JavaScript, learning to use a new framework or bookstore becomes an easy and fun task. One of the most famous JavaScript libraries is React.
JavaScript is one of the most demanded programming languages according to the statistics made by Stack Overflow this year. In addition, it is the language to create the web and will continue to be so.
Can you imagine getting a job as a front-end developer (JavaScript) in less than 18 months without previous experience? At Deuk we have just introduced a 10-course learning path to get you started on your professional training as a developer. I invite you to take the first classes free of charge today!
Python has become very popular in these few years. Most startups, data scientists, and innovative companies like Google use this programming language very frequently. Python has been adopted by many programmers and mathematicians because it is very easy to learn despite having an object-oriented approach.
Like JavaScript, it is not enough just to know the Python language, but also to know how to use frameworks and libraries. Frameworks such as Django , Pyramid and Flask are designed for web development and will generally ask you for knowledge of any of these for a position. If you come from a mathematical field you will have to know about frameworks like Pandas and NumPy , since Python gets along very well with data science and with branches like machine learning. The versatility of the language is one of the reasons why many companies have decided to bet on Python.
Stack Overflow statistics indicate that Python is currently the most requested language. This means that many companies have already discovered the potential of the language and are actively hiring Python developers. Mastering Python is definitely a good investment for your professional career, this language will not go anywhere.
The language created by James Gosling of Sun Microsystems (from Oracle today) has been on the market for a long time and is still widely used in this industry. Many systems have been created and maintained with Java and that is why there is a high demand for Java developers.
There is a lot of experience and documentation in this language thanks to its long history. Java has managed to evolve in the right way and will continue to be a language with a great presence in this technological world. Learning this programming language may not be as easy as Python or JavaScript due to its somewhat strict paradigm. But mastering this language will bring you many benefits in your professional career.
Java was chosen as the default language for developing Android applications. Despite the fact that Kotlin has also become an official language for developing Android applications, there are many projects and documentations that have not yet allowed to completely replace Java. Maybe substituting is not the right word for this case, but learning Java to develop Android apps is still a highly requested skill.
There are also frameworks or tools like Spring or Hibernate that allow you to create Java applications in a fast and concrete way. Java has many ways to use it and you will have a lot of job offers if you know this programming language.
C # is a language with which you can develop for all platforms as well. Development of video games, internet of things, mobile applications, web and desktop. It has a very similar approach to Java and if you come from an object oriented programming environment, it will be a short way for you to master this language.
Microsoft is the creator of C # and has made an effort to use it in its operating system, Windows. This C # language has a very corporate market, that is, financial, governmental and medical institutions usually use this programming language a lot to create their systems.
You will find a lot of offer in web development and mobile development for this programming language when looking for vacancies. ASP.NET is the framework for web development and the Xamarin tool for developing native mobile applications for Android, iOS and Windows Phone. Knowing C # opens up many opportunities in companies that offer support and solutions to corporate institutions (software factories) or in the same institutions.
Entering the world of mobile development means having to master Swift or Kotlin. If you want to focus on iOS development, learn Swift. If you want to develop applications for Android, first learn Java and then Kotlin. If you end up mastering both languages (and Java) you will be a highly sought after developer and you will constantly be receiving (very good) job offers.
It has become fashionable to develop native mobile applications in frameworks or cross platform tools such as React Native or Xamarin. But it is important to know that they are still native applications, which means that it is necessary to reach into both Swift and Kotlin (or Java) to consume APIs of the platform in the traditional way. That is why managing these languages is still a highly requested skill although there are cross platform solutions.
Today mobile development is a highly sought-after skill in the industry, but it's still very difficult to fill that gap as most developers are from the web world. For this reason, the salary of a mobile developer is usually higher than that of a web developer.
Honorable mentions
- Go : Golang is a scalable language and its syntax is easy to learn. It works very well with the crowd and it is a fashionable option for backend development and every day many companies are starting to adopt this language.
- Ruby : This language is extremely easy to learn and its Ruby on Rails framework has gained a lot of fame for developing web applications with the model view controller approach. It is one of the best paid languages.
- PHP : Most of the web pages are made with the WordPress platform and work with PHP. Knowing how to use this language will bring you many projects such as creating and updating WordPress themes and plugins. It is also important to mention that the Laravel framework has managed to win the hearts of many developers, everything ugly in PHP seems to be a lie with this framework. Thanks to WordPress and Laravel PHP it is still a very promising option.
- C ++ : This language gives you a lot of control over your computer. Many powerful graphics engines are developed with C ++. It is not easy to master this language since you have to take care of the computational resources yourself, but knowing how to use this language will open up many opportunities in addition to making you a good developer.
Mastering a programming language together with frameworks and libraries takes time, always try to create projects from what you have learned to practice. The projects you have created upload them on platforms such as GitHub so that you can create your portfolio. Companies are very focused on experience and the portfolio (on GitHub) is a good way to demonstrate your experience that you have with what you say you know.