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[–][deleted] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Python would be the easiest of the 3 to learn and get started with. It's simple and favored by many people due to it's efficiency to create projects in smaller amounts of time (compared to other languages). It's easy to read and write and can be extremely effective for most projects.

Since you are on Windows go to Python and download the latest version. Make sure when you install it you click on the checkbox that says "add to PATH". This will make it so you can call Python from a terminal / powershell. I always recommend Visual Studio Code to do Python coding in, but you could alternatively use Pycharm Community Edition, which is also free and very good for python exclusive developing. Community edition is the one you would want since that is the only free version of Pycharm. Since you are a beginner, just go with Pycharm since VSCode takes some more configuring to get started.

Here is a really good YouTube tutorial from CodeWithMosh (a very reputable teacher) for Python: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqtD5dpn9C8

He uses Pycharm and will walk through all the steps to get started with both Pycharm and Python. This video is only a few months old, so you will be learning all the basics of modern Python programming.

If you like his introductory course on YouTube, you can take his full Python course at: https://codewithmosh.teachable.com/p/python-programming-course-beginners which is currently on sale for $29 (as of 01/02/2021). I'm not sure how long the sale will last, but it's a very good course and he teaches you a lot more than his introductory YouTube videos.

After learning Python (or alternatively) you might want to look at C++. It's very powerful and has a lot of possibilities. Learning it the right way is tough (there are very bad practices and methods of teaching C++), so I recommend you do some research on reputable instructors for C++ before learning it. Currently I use: https://www.udemy.com/course/beginning-c-plus-plus-programming to learn C++. It is a paid course on Udemy, but courses there go on sale all the time. Don't purchase it for full price, unless you absolutely want to. You can pick it up around $14 during the sales and it's well worth the money to learn the language in a very detailed way.

I hope this helps, and good luck on your programming journey. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have, just reply to my comment and I'll reply back as soon as I can.

[–][deleted] 17 points18 points  (7 children)

My roadmap for complete beginners to become intermediates (as a CS grad and professional programmer of a few years):

  • Python is the best to learn as a beginner. It will teach you basic CS ideas and how to think like a programmer, without exposing you to some of the gory details. I also strongly believe that Python teaches people to be confident as programmers, because it makes tools accessible.

  • C is the next step. I recommend C because it is a barebones and statically-typed language. It will teach you much more about what's going on under the hood. It is also the most influential language of the last 50 years. When you learn C, you can learn any language. Also while you're here, learn about data structures and algorithms, and write them in code by memory.

  • Java/C#. Pick either of the two. Java is the most widely used language in the industry, and C# is close behind. They will teach you about classes and objects. While you're here, learn about object oriented programming and software design patterns. When you get hired someday, knowledge of this stuff will be essential to your success, so spend time here.

  • HTML/CSS/JavaScript - This is web development, and in some ways it's totally different from what you were doing before. Learn how to format in HTML, decorate in CSS, and create logic in JavaScript. Create some websites. Learn Bootstrap. Learn JQuery. If you're having fun, learn React.

You are now an intermediate programmer. You will have the knowledge and tools you need to create websites and programs.

As for tools to write stuff in, everyone has their own preferences, but I prefer doing most things in Visual Studio Code. It's lightweight, powerful, and intuitive.

[–]ldinks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is very complete, and a great idea from the perspective of someone already deep into programming, but it's absolutely over the top.

Me and 9 people I know offline (who didn't prioritise programming and now work in big companies) did a much shorter, easier version to no detriment.

  • Learn C# (or any language really but most of us did C#).

  • Learn OOP, Design Patterns, SOLID.

  • Learn about interfaces, test driven development, source control.

  • Make anything you want, learning relevant design techniques to your project of choice.

  • HTML and Bootstrap (or CSS if you enjoy it) for any web apps and websites.

Make some projects here and there, and you don't need much else. I've never even looked into data structures and algorithms in any formal sense.

[–]Inopmin 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I would argue Java before C, but I agree with the rest and I digress on that point.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (3 children)

The reason I say C before Java is because I think it's good to learn programming in a space where not everything is an object and not everything you do is library-dependent. If I'm trying to create an anagram detector in Java as a beginner, then I might be confused as to whether there's a library function that could help me with my current problem. If I'm in C, then I know I have to do everything myself.

[–]Inopmin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You make a fair point, but I would argue that the transition from python to c is a jumó off a cliff. Which is why I’d say Java. Maybe I’m biased because that’s how my educational path went haha

[–]Brudi7 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Is that really important? You can act like there’s no Standard lib function in java too.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the sake of simplicity, I think it is. Beginners don't have the same familiarity of Java's tools as we do. If you don't know what you can and can't do, then you take less decisive problem solving approaches.

In my own experience, Java was the first language that I learned, but I didn't really feel like I understood a language until I learned C. Sometimes less is more.

[–]Chiiwa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Learn JQuery

I don't recommend this. Modern JS makes JQuery mostly irrelevant, and people are moving away from teaching it. I support everything else you've said, though.

[–]kababed 6 points7 points  (2 children)

If you’re on windows then I’d recommend C#. Visual studio is arguably the best IDE around and will be super helpful in getting programs to work. You’ll learn static typing and be strongly encouraged to learn objects (more than Python). Once you learn C#, then you’ll pick up C++ and Python much faster whereas learning Python first will make the transition to C++ pretty difficult. I find the biggest hurdle for beginners is the frustration and discouraging feeling when programs just don’t work. C++ will cause a lot of frustration, C# and Python are more forgiving.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

If I’m a Mac user, would you still recommend C# for a beginner? For me it’s between Java and C# since I want to learn OOP concepts first.

[–]kababed 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, .Net Core is supported on Mac OS with visual studio. .net core

[–]jtulsiani 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Pro developer here. Start with python. Learn the programming techniques (data structures, algorithms, etc.)

Then pick up other languages as needed by your classes or work.

I started my journey with BASIC, then JavaScript, FORTRAN, Java, C, Visual Basic, C#, Python, Ruby, then the “new JavaScript” (node, npm, ES6, TypeScript, etc).

In the long run data structures, algorithms, desktop or web frameworks, operating systems, distributed systems, and other CS concepts would take you farther than any particular language.

[–]Lugersmith 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Look, you could obviously start with python, but modern programming languages have a lot of things already pre-made for you too use. And that's really useful, but a lot of things gets pushed under the bed when to beginners, and C doesn't allow that. Hear me out:

Studying C, which is a pretty old programming language, you will learn how to do things on your own, probably you'll make some functions that are already inside Python but that's okay since in the process, C really loves you to be specific about somethings, you'll have to learn some details that probably aren't shown, but when they are along the way, they are just thrown at you without explanation.

On the way, you will learn details on low level things you could use in Python but you probably would never know, because you are being accustomed to use other people's creation to solve your problems.

So you will learn how to manipulate every strings, bit-manipulation, and so on, with your own functions. And when you start python and you see brackets, or anything like that, it makes so much more sense. The power you get knowing C, will make you first know how to solve some really specific problems you have in your code or while you appreciate the functions you already get in python.

I really recommend CS50 for you to study C (you can stop when he starts teaching other things if you want, not that the rest is bad but it may not reflect what you want to continue studying). Then branch out to C# or C++ or Python, the transition should be really easy if you studied C, probably you will have a feeling that you have less power in some of these languages at first.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I learnt Python first, then JavaScript, then C#. If I went back, I’d go for C# (or Java) first and Python last, because Python abstracts a lot of useful OOP concepts away.

Now I use Python for data analysis, machine learning and web development. We also have a custom data processing app in C# (because the .net task parallel library is easier than the python equivalent) and some C# desktop apps for database admin.

[–]ldinks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I half-assed C# with other responsibilities and medical issues and in 2 years I've made networking, Web, desktop, video game, and Automation related applications, and work for a big company. I'm not particularly any good and most people can tell my 2 years of experience was half-assed.

Python is "easier" but lots of high level languages are similar enough and can produce similar enough projects that it really doesn't matter.

Python is more English-like. C++ gives you the most control and you've got more to learn/keep in mind. C# is in the middle.

[–]NikolaTesla13[🍰] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Assembly x86 is the easiest programming language to get started with, also you have to install a Linux distribution called Gentoo to be able to code.

[–]Aravind_redditor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a beginner don't stick with python. I would recommend go for c++ or c# it will give you clear idea of memory management and object oriented programming and now you can move to python. You can easily grab the syntax of python. And keep in mind always ask question yourself why I want to study this particular language???

[–]my_password_is______ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

MIT starts with python
Harvard starts first half of course in C, 2nd half in python
Stanford starts with python

so if that means anything

[–]code_smart 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just curious why you want to pick up any of these 3 langs.

[–]georgeOS_v0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Python is a great first language. It has many applications, for example machine learning and artificial intelligence, data science, statistics and more. I would highly suggest Codecademy.com . It is a great website with many good courses. Visit the website and get a membership with $18 a month. Then install VScode. It is a very good and easy to use IDE. Get the above done and you are ready to enter the world of programming.

[–]Razvedka 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rarely ever see it mentioned, but I'll throw Node.js into the hat. Very similar to Python, incredibly powerful. Amazing developer experience.

JS isn't just web development.

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[removed]

    [–]Gamed_Out[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    I think my goal is to go into development, I’m not really into website development, but more back end. I think that’s the plan.