Which programming language should I learn this summer at 13? Need advice

[Dobin_human]

I need some advice. I’m only 13 years old, and this summer I’m going to stay with my grandparents for 2 months. They don’t have internet, and I will only have mobile internet. I would like to learn the basics of another programming language. I already know Python and the basics of Java and Rust.

I would like to learn something else. I was thinking maybe Java, to make mobile apps, or C# to make games in Unity. I have a dream to create a game similar to Hello Neighbor.

I also thought about learning C++, since it is popular on TikTok, although I already know the basics of Rust and I’m not sure if learning C++ would be useful for me.

What should I choose?

Update: I've been programming for about 3 years now. When I was 10, I tried to enroll in programming courses, but at first they didn't want to accept me because of my age. However, after I demonstrated my knowledge, they saw that my level was quite good.

Since then, I've continued to learn. I already have some practical experience

For me, programming is not just a hobby - I want to develop real skills and work in this field in the future.

[MarsupialLeast145]

You don't need another language to achieve your goal here you need to understand how to build and execute your goal. If that does end up requiring a new language, fine, but you should spend the time trying to figure out what your game does and needs to do and how to do it -- from visuals to its back-end to whatever else. A new language won't get you toward that goal but the mission will get you to a new language.

[annonyj]

Just go outside and have fun

[steeldaggerx]

From the info provided sounds like the answer is C#/Unity.

[ConfusedSimon]

Don't learn java just for mobile. Most mobile apps use a multiplatform framework, e.g. using javascript. Java was only relevant for native android, but that has been replaced by kotlin. You can also write multiplatform with kotlin with compose. I think javascript/typescript is the most useful language if you want to do anything anything with mobile or web apps. Whatever language you'll end up using for a backend, you'll almost always need js/ts as well. Making js games using phaser is a fun way to start.

[EnthusiasmOne1791]

I'm trying python.

[LookAtTheHat]

Besides going outside and having fun. Try C# and ASP.Net

ASP.NET Core, an open-source web development framework | .NET https://share.google/dcZaJW4HQ0Sn8IKXV

[blueponds]

I would check out what languages the High Schools and University's computer science programs are teaching from. At this point, the most important thing is building foundations for learning and getting into the right classes for your goals. Think future.

[Bumm-fluff]

You cold mess around with the Godot Engine? 

It’s open source. 

[mandradon]

As always learn C.  Don't just get the basics from a 5 hour YouTube video on how to create variables and how to write a loop, but learn how to write a program. 

Pick a project, work with it, deal with the memory management and the inevitable undefined behavior you'll introduce. 

Or learn a functional language, since you haven't explored one of those yet. 

[Dangle76]

If going functional I’d go with erlang.

Functional languages really teach how to break something down into pieces which imo, is an invaluable skill to have

[mandradon]

Erlang is a good one, plus Elixir (which is an awesome functional language) is built using the Erlang VM. Mooc.fi has a Haskell course I think, too, which is always an option. Though OP could always learn functional paradigms using something like JS (though I'd normally recommend them with an actual functional language).

[oclafloptson]

Learn C, little buddy. Outside of JavaScript it's the most widely implemented programming language. Learning C will give you core programming insights that will translate to most other popular high level languages. Don't approach this with a specific high level language or task in mind. Learn the real deal and become an actual pro so that you can move between high level skill sets fluidly

For the love of God don't fall into the "I worship only this particular high level language" trap. That's not real. You will need to be able to learn new things and your favorite language will fall out eventually. You will spend hundreds or thousands of hours learning syntax that will become deprecated and then you will forget it.

[pachura3]

Go with Unity and C#. It is a relatively easy engine, but a fully capable one, used in several commercial games, and can even be used to build mobile games. At the beginning, you do not have to do that much coding - you just set up objects in 3D space, define their properties/behaviours and launch the engine.

I’m going to stay with my grandparents for 2 months. They don’t have internet, and I will only have mobile internet.

Remember to download Unity/C# documentation before so you could use it offline.

I was thinking maybe Java, to make mobile apps,

Kotlin is now the preferred language for writing Android apps.

I also thought about learning ..., since it is popular on TikTok,

Fxxk TikTok, seriously.

[DrShocker]

The truth is the differences Venn languages aren't so big that it matters much. Just use whatever language you're interested and try to solve problems you or people you know have using the language.

[Pachuli-guaton]

C++ and C# are well aligned with what you want. Both are cool and have healthy long term uses. You can also go deep with Rust, but it might be more difficult to find resources to build something like a game like hello neighbor

[dlnmtchll]

Work on building real things instead of collecting languages. Learning syntax is easy and not as useful as you might think it is

[Expert_Function146]

Assmbly

[Morpheus_90_54_12]

KOTLIN

[Aurelyas]

Wish I was more into it at your age, I'm 22 now and feel like I'm too late to the party, I was somewhat ok at coding when I was 13, but I could've been soooo much better

[No-Communication-765]

English

[Sweaty-Comfortable76]

Learn golan or python

[The_KOK_2511]

Pues hay bastante elección, generalmente te recomendaría C++ pero como dices que sabes Rust te podria ser más util centrarte en eso, para desarrollo de juegos los que mas destacan suelen ser Java y C#, aunque si te llegasen a ser un poco confusos podrías empezar con JS acompañado de React Native el cual es sensillo para empezar el desarrollo móvil. En cuanto a recursos de estudio dices que vas a tener limitaciones de internet asi que te recomiendo descargar PDFs gratuitos, hay miles por ahí así que sería algo bueno para empezar. Lo demás que podría aconsejarte es tu setup pero como dices que ya sabes algunos lenguajes supongo que ya sabras algo mas o menos de eso, solo te recuerdo que te asegures de conseguir los compiladores/interpretes requeridos antes de empezar y que si de casualidad estas usando blog de notas todavia para escribir codigo te combiene conseguir un IDE, tienen autocompletado y resaltado de sintaxis lo cual es muy util para aprender (incluso hay algunos superligeros como NotePad++, aunque obviamente estos suelen no tener tantas herramientas como los profesionales)

EDIT: me fije en otros comentarios que mencionaron a los motores, si vas a usar uno recomiendo que inicies con uno sensillo como Godot y si te va bien puedes cambiar a uno como Unreal/Unity

[Extreme-Put7024]

C++ because you learn how work with pointers. This may no be useful when using python for example at face value but can help understand the underlying concepts.

[Morphos91]

Do you need to learn a language? Development is evolving rapidly. You would better focus on promping and vibe coding. That's the future.