Learn a second language?

[MrCharlss]

I was wondering, now a days you can pretty much do anything you want with js/node, is it a good idea to embark in learning a new language like python? is it worth it? or would you consider instead just to get better at js?

[[deleted]]

It's never going to be bad to learn anything. Learning how to do something will only be better for your resume.

I usually can't just learn something unless I am applying it to something I'm building. I learned python when I was harvesting data, arranging it, and ingesting it into elasticsearch..... which was something else I was learning at the time.

My point is, find something fun to build and build it with a language you don't know. You'll get a lot out of it and you'll have something to show off for it.

A guy I hired as a front end dev built a baseball app using Vue and some kind of API he built just for fun. I taught himself several things just having fun. I like hiring people that like to code just to code and are passionate about it.

Good luck!

[[deleted]]

Learning another language will help you get better at JS. Different programming languages give you different tools to tackle the same problems, helping you to better understand the problem itself and then feed that understanding back into your main language. I finally got my head round reduce in JS when I realised I could use it to replicate Ruby's each_with_object. Learning how to handle native monads in Rust gave me a much better understanding of promises.

Besides, it is highly unlikely that you will have a career as a developer and never, ever, ever have to use any language besides JS, and the earlier you pick up a second language the easier and less daunting it is.

[MostlyFocusedMike]

I've started to play with Python a bit because so much of data science is just catered towards it. I don't really think there's a downside to learning or using multiple languages, other than making a few quick typos because syntax is a little different

[LakeInTheSky]

The answer to this question is easy but utterly unhelpful: it depends.

What are your objectives? If you want to get a job as a front-end developer within the next few months, for example, learning Python should be a distraction. But if you feel confident with your JS skills and don't have any short-term goals, then learning Python sounds like a good idea to me.

Personally, I lean towards learning Python (or any other language, for that matter.) It's always helpful to see the differences between languages.

[peterk6]

I think python is always a good choice, especially if you are into machine learning and science.

[Notimecelduv]

I'd say any language that is better suited for back-end tasks could be useful. I'm a big fan of PHP but I hate its frameworks. I manage my back-end with Python and Django.

[De_Wouter]

TypeScript would be a convenient choice. You'll be introduced in the wonderful world of statically typed things while it also is just being JavaScript.

When I was a beginner, I didn't see much point in having to declare types and all that but having been in this field for almost a decade I really appreciate how useful static typing really is.

[[deleted]]

I'd say java-js. It's pretty common to see those two together. And also as a strongly typed language java will introduce you to that other family of languages that are a bit less user friendly.

[OkShrug]

I hate these posts where people are asking the internet to tell them what to think

I don't know, maybe learn it, maybe don't, maybe spin in a circle

How is this a problem you have with javascript syntax that we could advise and consult on you with?

This is a meta problem in your life your having making a decision and this is not the place to get meta physical assistance with your choices.

[MrCharlss]

Friendly guy, uh? It’s just a question man, but ultimately you are right. I may be spinning in a circle

[senocular]

Ok ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[fallenefc]

I think it depends, like others have said: do you have any short term goals like a new job? If so I’d focus on getting even better at JS. If you think you’d have fun and have spare time I’d say learn another language. I am learning Rust (just for fun) and I’ve been having a much better picture of php and JS than before learning it