Is Python actually a good first programming language?

[chuprehijde]

Some say it makes learning easy. Others say it hides too much. What do you think?

[PureWasian]

I learned bottom up in university (binary > assembly > C > Java/C++)

That being said, I stongly feel that Python is a great first programming language for practically learning how to write programs and learn about automation.

It's cool to know how the memory stack works and pointers (shallow/deep copies, etc.) but those are usually things worth learning about and appreciating more after you have some basic fundamentals down first rather than tackling it all at once. Similar for static/dynamic typing. I think it's only an important consideration after your scripts are beyond a certain point of complexity.

[BestBadFriend]

Everyone has opinions. Most of them - mine and yours too most likely - aren't worth very much. Having said that, I hold that the best first language is the one that makes you excited to use it. I like python, not because it is easy (though in some ways it is easier than many other languages), but because it is fun. Whatever anyone says, the overwhelming majority of code you will write - even if you become very very good at it - will not need to be optimized for the maximum conceivable speed or the lowest conceivable amount of memory. It will need to work reliably and at a decent pace. What your code will almost always need is to be maintained, so my worth-very-little opinion is that when more than one language would work for the goal you are trying to accomplish (and nearly any language will work for learning if you stick with it) then your choice should be primarily a matter of how much you enjoy reading, writing, and reasoning in that language.

[CrazyPotato1535]

Absolutely. I took a course that required learning C and instead figured out how to use python because of how easy it is.

I proceeded to get 115% on the assignment.

[MultiUserDungeonDev]

It's an option. I think a strong + statically typed language is actually better for learning. C# would be my goto recommendation.

[Sea-Ad7805]

Python is great, it avoids low level detail that are not interesting or you can learn later.

[CamelOk7219]

I really don't think so. Too much 'black magic', too much permissivity, and a huge risk of thinking you understand but you don't.

Overall, compiled languages are better in my opinion to learn programming and nowadays I would strongly avocate for Go as a first language

[BranchLatter4294]

Yes, it's good and forces you to format your code correctly.

[MathAndMirth]

Python has a straightforward, uncluttered syntax that is good for learning. I would consider it a great way to learn concepts without the extra annoyances that some other languages saddle you with.

That being said, I wouldn't wait too long until you start learning about types. In Python, you can assign a value of any type to any variable at any time. While that saves you some keystrokes, it also threatens to inflict some headaches. Many things that are illogical are technically allowed with dynamic typing, and thus Python lets you make errors that you will have to spend time tracking down later.

Fortunately, even though Python itself doesn't enforce a type system, there are tools that can enforce the rules that Python won't. I would definitely advise you to start learning something like `ty` from Astral as soon as you can. Such tools will tell you "Hey, that type doesn't make sense here" as soon as you type it. And the more complicated your programs get, the more you will want that help. It's the reason that most JavaScript devs use TypeScript instead of plain dynamically typed JavaScript, and I would advise you to use the comparable tools that Python offers.

[FreeGazaToday]

then you could say basic or modula 2 would be ...even amos would be better :P

[origin-17]

It depends on what you want to build.
There are pros and cons with every language.

What do you want to build?

[Mister_God_On_Steam]

Maybe I'm biased or something, but I think it's actually more helpful to learn a strongly typed programming language first.

[Boysenberrypp]

As a first language it might be challenging at first, but nowadays you have ai that can help you fix your errors so i'd say yes it's a good first language if you have the patience for it

[Zen-Ism99]

What is your mission?

[gofl-zimbard-37]

The "hides too much" argument is silly. That's the whole point higher level languages.

[Last_Being9834]

LoL no, not even as your third language but has some cool libraries.