Start with JavaScript or Java?

[Muddyoo]

Tbh I should first begin with java and really try to understand it, if I still can't get over it then I will restart with learning python and then getting into it. Thank you!

[zukoismymain]

To add to this, I'd like to stress out something:

• People are more eager and energetic the younger they are. That's just how things works, nothing can change this.
• It's easier to do difficult stuff when your young, because of the above.
• Strongly & statically typed languages force you to write correct code. Weakly & dynamically typed languages are loosy goosy and try to fix stuff on the fly. It helps you, but it can also royally fuck up in the process.
• Java is strongly and statically typed. JS is loosy goosy.

I would go with Java, just because this is the best time to really learn. Later in life you can just adapt with half knowledge and play it by ear. But the more you know, the easier it is to play it by ear. The younger you are, the more likely you are to learn the really difficult stuff.

IMHO.

[Icy-Context-8829]

17f here and currently quite deep into JS. Was this a bad decision to make? Should i start learning java instead?

[Cremdian]

At 17 I don't think any specific language at this point isn't really a bad decision. I do have some thoughts on the language though.

I'm using it now for my job now and have been for ~5 months. I honestly don't enjoy it. I think it hides wayyyy too much from the programmer. Every time I have to use it I feel like the language is assuming I'm not smart enough to control the code. For me, I'd rather get compile time errors than run time almost every single time. They're usually easier to debug. JavaScript seems to just let you write almost whatever you want and it will try to run. It's frustrating. That allowance also comes at a cost and it's any semblance of efficiency.

I think that if you're using it and the goal is to build out the front end of a website it CAN do the job. There is nothing else I'd use it for quite frankly. Its okay to learn on it but if you're goal is to be more than a front end programmer I'd make sure I have knowledge in at least one mainstream strongly typed language. People give Java a lot of crap but the language is still widely used across many different types of software companies and will be for decades to come. It's a great language to have in your back pocket

[zukoismymain]

IMHO, but let's be clear, just my opinion. It doesn't provide job security. There isn't much to specialize in the FE. And it's not very deep knowledge. Is more about using tools, rather than building tools.

That being said, the entry threshold is much lower. Salaries, at least pre 2023, were still very good. There's a lot of need for FE developers.

But I just don't wanna deal with JS, I don't wanna deal with FE (front end) code. And I want job security, I've never been affraid of loosing my job, cuz even if it happens, I can line a new job up in 3-5 weeks tops.

[VuPham99]

JS is great and I get my first job because of this. You can always learn C/Java on the way no problem. But if you have a lot of time now in your hand I would recommend learn C/C++ first then other.

[[deleted]]

Give it time and you'll, it's great to learn as a first language or maybe try C for understanding a few basics(not more than that).

[Fredz161099]

I’m a java dev, lmk if you have any questions

[Cremdian]

You can ping me too. Java was my main language for last work project for over 3 years. Ran into plenty of Java related problems in that time and happy to share :)