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Ruby

Jimmy Miller
Jimmy Miller
283 Points

What language should I learn?

I'm going to learn a programming language this year, which should I learn that will be the most beneficial?

8 Answers

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

This person taught himself how to code in 8 weeks using Python, it might be worth a read.

It's probably worth noting that Treehouse does not currently offer any course on Python. But there has been talk about creating some. The resources links in the article are all free, so there's that.

Jim Hoskins
STAFF
Jim Hoskins
Treehouse Guest Teacher

What are you interested in making, or accomplishing?

If you are into web development, and are familiar with HTML/CSS and you want to start programming dynamic pages, I'd recommend PHP. I don't mean that PHP is the best language in town, in fact I generally avoid it. However, if you are just getting started and you are into making web-stuff, this is going to be the easiest way to get into it. You can start really small, and basically turn basic HTML into more and more dynamic content.

Once you get a little more familiar with concepts like variables, loops, if/else, functions, etc.. I would recommend taking a look at ruby or python or javascript. For one, these languages are designed better and are more consistent and organized. Another benefit is learning two programming languages gives you more perspective into how to write programs. You'll be better for it.

If you don't care about making web pages, you could jump into python or ruby and start writing small programs right away. The reason I wouldn't recommend them as a first language for people wanting to make web stuff is there is more knowledge needed to get a page running, compared to PHP.

PHP.

Then you'll figure out that you should have learned Ruby all along, but never regret having learned PHP. ;)

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

You should start with an actual programming language either Ruby or Python.

Both were designed from the ground up with the programmer in mind. They make a great first language to learn programming.

PHP on the other hand is a templating language, will teach you bad habits, not a good place to start.

Ruby on Rails & Django are frameworks and make it overly painful to learn to program, IMHO.

If you decide to become a professional developer you will learn that it's not the language that matters but the concepts. Most professional devs use several languages depending on what's currently used on the project.

Jim kinda said what I was thinking. "What do you want to achieve"? Are there any languages which you may have heard or seen which interest you. Without interest you'll soon not enjoy it, get bored and possibly not gain or achieve anything.

Jimmy Miller
Jimmy Miller
283 Points

Well next week im going to be starting classes for JavaScript at the local community college, any ideas on what i should expect?

James Barnett
James Barnett
39,199 Points

You can get a head start with the Intro to Programming course, which teaches the fundamentals of programming using Javascript.