Which programming language should a beginner choose?

The language you choose to build software in shapes how quickly you develop in tech, what you earn and how easily you get hired. This step sets the direction you will move in for the next two to five years. So on what basis should a beginner choose?

How to choose a first programming language

To work out which language to choose, first decide which area you plan to work in. What matters:

1. Your goals. Different directions call for different tools. For large volumes of data and artificial intelligence, people usually choose Python, while JavaScript is ideal for websites and web services. If you want to build large applications, aim at Java and C#.
2. How easy it is to learn. Choose the most comprehensible language, one that lets you move from your first programs to complete applications quickly. Thanks to its concise, clear syntax, Python is among the best languages to start with.
3. Demand in the job market. The world takes its lead from the countries at the front. The USA values programmers who know Java, Python and JavaScript highly, and choosing one of them substantially improves your chance of getting hired.
4. The long view. How current a language is matters enormously. Java and JavaScript sit consistently at the top of the software development rankings.

Choosing the best language to start with

When choosing, weigh both capability and ease of understanding. Look at where a language is used and how much demand there is for it. Python certainly deserves a mention, but depending on your goals there may be better options. Let's look closely at the three leaders: Java, JavaScript and Python. Any of them makes an excellent choice for starting a tech career, including if you want to work in America.

Java

Java is an undisputed leader. It is used widely to build enterprise software, server systems, and mobile and web applications. What distinguishes it:

• Cross-platform. Programs written in it run properly on almost any device.
• Reliability and security. Built-in error checking and data protection mechanisms minimise the risks from vulnerabilities. Banking and other critical sectors choose Java for exactly that reason.
• A large community. Java has a strong community worldwide, so a beginner will easily find learning material and support on forums and in chats.

Being straightforward to learn and enormously widely used makes Java an ideal first language for future developers.

JavaScript

JavaScript is well suited to large projects. Its advantages:

• Broad reach. JavaScript covers the whole span of building a product, front end and back end alike.
• A low barrier to entry. To start you need only a browser with a developer console and a text editor. Seeing results immediately and being easy to apply speeds the learning up.
• Strong demand. In the USA and other leading countries, demand for JavaScript developers remains high.

How do you learn JavaScript? Start with the fundamentals: HTML and CSS first, then JavaScript itself. Practice on real projects such as building websites and applications substantially improves your chances of picking the language up quickly.

Python

Python rightly belongs among the top three. It is part of the basic training of programmers and is valued for:

• Simple syntax. The absence of complicated constructs lets you move from idea to implementation quickly.
• Versatility. The language is used in web development, animation, process automation, artificial intelligence, scientific modelling and a great deal more.
• An enormous number of libraries that let you write powerful applications fast.

If you do not know which language to start with, try Python. It gives you a firm foundation and opens doors into many corners of tech.

C#

C# is a refined, convenient language, ideally suited to work on the Windows platform. Its structure and speed make writing and testing applications easier, and its simple syntax lets you learn it in a relatively short time.

C++

C++ is the king among programming languages, used to build powerful games, graphics applications and multi-layered systems with demanding requirements for speed and efficiency. Its flexibility comes paired with the complexity of its constructs. A beginner may find it hard to start with a language at this level, though it suits more advanced users well.

When deciding which language to learn, take your bearings from your own interests and goals. Mastering one tool makes learning others easier. Weigh demand when choosing your first language. In America and other leading countries the clear leaders are Python, Java and JavaScript, thanks to their versatility and their prospects. Start experimenting — that is how you find your own road. The right choice becomes the foundation of a successful career in tech.