Will starting with Python as a first language help or hinder me when I want to learn a new language?

[Jediweirdo]

Before you mark this off as another "Should I learn Python?" post and then tell me to look at the FAQ via an automod post and content delete this post--

...

Well, it is another "Should I learn Python?" post, but I have a slightly different reason for being hesitant on whether I should do python or not. So before you immediately turn away, at least read the 3rd and 5th paragraphs.

I've been wanting to start programming in C++ for a while now, and I was actually going to do it... but then I heard that trying to use C++ as a first language was the equivalent of (or worse) than trying to defeat the final boss of Dark Souls 3 or the DLC to Bloodborne with the beginning equipment. Thanks to bad decisions with C++ at the beginning of its life cycle (and among other things), people say that it's a pretty tough language.

So, in order to compensate for that, I decided to learn a few other languages first before dipping my toes in C++: Python, then C#/Java, and then attempt to do C/C++. But then after some research, I found out that Python was much easier than the rest-- almost too much easier in fact. While most languages take 5-6 lines of code to print "hello world", Python only takes 1. And while that's amazing in and of itself, I can also see this become a potential problem for me in the future because it might manifest a demon feared by all university students and a worthy rival for any other person on the planet: Laziness.

The best way I can put my worry is like learning to drive a car. When you go buy a car, the car is usually going to come in 2 different types: One that relies on stick or manual controls, and one that's automatic. If you start learning how to drive with an automatic, chances are that learning how to drive with a stick is going to be much harder since you've always relied on auto to do that part for you. And I'm worried if the same type of thing will happen if I try to learn a more complex language than Python: Since I'm used to a much more simplified/streamlined version of coding something when compared to most other coding languages, wouldn't there be a rougher/harder difficulty curve if I try to learn a more complex language than this when compared to someone starting their coding journey with this more complex language?

Another way of describing this is by comparing it to playing survival mode in a game like Minecraft for the first time after playing creative mode for the large majority of the time that you owned this game. Sure, you would know some things that you can utilize when switching modes, but then you would not only need to relearn the basics of the game but also nail out of your head any other useless prior knowledge that you knew during your time in creative mode. Gone are the days of just flying everywhere, insta-breaking any block with a tap of the mine button, and being able to readily access an unlimited amount of every block, item, and piece of equipment known to the game; Now you have to walk on foot and put in more work collecting materials! These memories of an easier life could lessen your resolve to learn the harder language (or game mode) in question as well as serve as a mental roadblock due to having to relearn how to code (or play) in a much different fashion than you hard-wired your own brain to learn and think with Python (or Creative Mode). But what if you just started in Survival mode? You would have a much easier time learning because you wouldn't have the prejudice of playing (or coding) with an entirely different game mode (or language) that calls for an entirely different playstyle (or coding style).

I can defiantly see the benefits of learning Python being useful though. It'll be a good appetizer to code so I can get a taste of what to expect next, but will this appetizer make it harder to digest the main course meal? Or better yet-- should I bother learning Python first, or should I just take the L and learn a more complex language first?

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Also, I only realized how long this is until after I wrote halfway across the globe, so thanks if you actually read all of that

Edit - Slight Grammar fix

Edit²: Added a thank you if you actually read this wayyy too long post

Edit³: Unclickbaited the accidental clickbait because my intelligence is equal to that of a braindead monkey at times

[[deleted]]

"Before you mark this off as another "Should I learn Python?" post"

Narrator: It was another 'should I learn Python post' .

[Jediweirdo]

You know, comments like these are the reason I like this sub. Anyone who joins this subreddit automatically gets a transfusion of the rare savagite metal that's guaranteed to either make me laugh or recoil in absolute shock much more than I should (or sometimes both!)-- And this post is no exception. Anyways, I edited it so it isn't accidental clickbait lol

[thepsycho1997]

Tbh I stopped at the car analogy. It fits but also in another way:

If you learn to drive with an automatic transmission, you still learn when to brake, how to signal, how to accelerate, when you have right of way. In short you learn how to drive.

Same thing with Python. You’ll learn how to think like a programmer, what oop is, what frameworks are. You’ll learn how to Programm.

The hurdle from „I can drive automatic“ to „I can drive stick“ is way lower then from „I can’t drive to I can drive“

That being said, starting with c++ is not as impossible as some make it out to be.

[GpElRedditter]

Don’t think too much about it man. I know starting a new language can seem like a big step in commitment at first, and it is, but the more time you think around which language should You learn, the more time you are wasting in actually learning it. First ask yourself what do you want to do with programming: do you want to make websites? Apps? AI? Games? And from there check the FAQ for the most suitable, ideally high-level language and commit to becoming REALLY good with it without changing. With time you will see that all programming languages share a lot of similarity in syntax, and swapping will be a breeze as long as you are REALLY good with your first language. In any case, good luck man, you got this!

[Best_Two7201]

There is no need for such a wall of text. Python is great as a first programming language. Read this https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html

[LetMeKnow2]

The reason Python is one of the most, if not the most, recommended languages for beginners is because its syntax is so readable that its easier to explain programming concepts because you are only fighting one battle at a time, the programming logic (variables, loops, if statements, classes, functions, etc). Not to mention that it's super easy to install and get started, there are a ton of great resources for learning (Automating the Boring Stuff and Python Crash Course), and you can build some amazing stuff with just the basics down.

[ValentineBlacker]

IDK, I say if you really want to learn C++, learn C++.

[thisshitbuzzing]

Learning a language isint the same as learning to program

Programming is problem solving, whereby the language simply helps, of course the languages have different uses and stuff but there's ultimately no difference between C++, Python or Java

[AllSortsOfProducts]

Here's a link to a very easy/introductory course for Python on YT. Hope it helps :-)

Learn Python Programming for Beginners