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Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide - Programming (6) - Nairaland

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Which Programming Language Should A Beginner Start With? / Is It Advisable To Learn Java As My First Programming Language? / The Best Programming Language Is... (2) (3) (4)

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Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Nobody: 3:20pm On Jan 15, 2021
Csami:


Well my findings suggest otherwise. The survey suggest otherwise. PHP online community suggest otherwise. A language that is declining is ASP.NET but it's still in play.

I agree with you on javascript due to it's frameworks. They have jquery, react, angular etc but when it comes to back-end for web, PHP is the first they call.

Thanks for the insight boss. Do you work as a freelancer or a full time developer?
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Kingfahd001: 3:21pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:
Have you finally decided to settle for computer programming as your career path? Are you new to the whole concept of coding and you're struggling to pick the right programming language to begin with? Which one of Java or JavaScript, Python or C would suffice?
Choosing the perfect language for every newbie programmer is one of the most difficult decision to make due to the numerous options available. There are hundreds of different programming languages with each of them having its personal strengths, weaknesses, complexities and best area of application. In truth, your choice of language will depend heavily on the segment of software development you are keenly interested in. In this article we will look at the various divisions of software development and recommend the best language (/s) suited for each category.


FOR WEB APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT :

This involves the creation of application programs that reside on remote servers and are delivered to the user’s device via the Internet. Examples of web applications include: Online forums like qoura.com, dogforum.com; or Ecommerce websites like amazon.com, Ebay.com; or your popular online blogging platforms like TechCrunch, Moz, Huffington Post etc. For better clarity, we are going to divide Web Applications Development into two parts, namely:
1. Front-end development and
2. Back-end development.

Front-end Web development :
Front-end Web development involves the building of the visual elements of a web application that users can see and interact with. In simple terms, a front-end developer is mainly concerned with the appearance of a website like its font size, forms, web page layouts etc. In order to become a well skilled front-end developer, we recommend you learn HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript combination. HTML and CSS are friendly and easy to learn while JavaScript is a popular programming language that is very efficient in every web related applications.

Back-end Web development :
Back-end Web development deals with the skeleton (called the “back-end”) of your web applications. It is more concerned with the functionality of the website. Take for instance a web application like LinkedIn or Facebook, the front-end deals with the different pages layouts and designs while the back-end application deals with things like the search query panel in which a user can search for a unique profile out of millions of registered users’ profiles. In order to become a full stack web developer, you need to be well grounded in both the Front-end and Back-end sects of Web development. Our recommended languages for Back-end Web development include: JavaScript, Python, PHP, and Go.
JavaScript: How will web developers cope without JavaScript? Well, that’s a question for another day. According to Stack Overflow’s 2020 Developer’s Survey: JavaScript is the most popular programming language among developers for the eighth year running! While JavaScript is mostly used in conjunction with HTML and CSS for front-end development, it can still be used solely to build the back-end part of web applications using popular frameworks like Node.js which is compatible with every Operating System. Figuratively speaking, sticking with JavaScript (via Node.js) means you only need to master one programming language for both front-end and back-end web development.

Python: is a multi-purpose programming language that works brilliantly for Back-end web development via some of its popular web frameworks like Django and Flask. With Django (coded in Python) you can quickly develop a web application way quicker compared to other programming platforms. Django comes with a wide range of in-built packages such as admin panel, content administration, site Maps, SQL injections for data management and many more. Your popular media sharing platform – Instagram - and sites like Spotify and Mozilla were created using Django framework.

PHP: is a recursive acronym for Hypertext Preprocessor. Its popularity among Back-end developers is gradually fading as newer languages outsmart PHP in building better functionalities on web applications. Since it is a scripting language, PHP is somewhat similar to HTML making it is relative easier to learn.

Go (also known as Golang): is a newer language as it was only released in 2009. As a low-level language, Go performs almost the same functionality as C and C++ with a simpler and more readable syntax compare to the other two. The lightness of this language makes it perfect for building complex web applications through frameworks such as Gin, Martini or Revel.

VERDICT : For an absolute beginner with zero prior knowledge on programming, we are going to suggest JavaScript for both Front-end and Back-end Web development. It is always advisable to start your learning from the Front-end part of Web development then you gradually work your way to the more difficult sect (Back-end). As you master your craft, you can easily switch to other programming languages based on the kind of project you’re working on.


FOR GAME DEVELOPMENT :

This involves the creation of games whether in 3D or 2D format, video or motion graphics, or for computer/mobile devices. To be a good game developer you have to possess a strong background in mathematics, sciences or engineering field due to their critical applications in high-level game development. A career in this segment, in most cases requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science/engineering or other equivalent fields. The best programming languages for game development are: low-level languages like C++ and C# (incorporated with Unity). High-level language like Python (using PyGame) or Java (in building mobile games for Android devices) can also be used for making quick prototypes of your game and building lighter video games but they both have their limitations in game development especially when it comes to the game graphics and memory management.

VERDICT : For beginner game developers, we recommend coding with C# via Unity for its relative ease of learning compared to C++.


FOR MOBILE APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT :

The mobile app development sector is a half a trillion dollars industry with room for more growth. If you have settled for a career in building mobile apps for a living then it’s best to follow our guide to picking the perfect beginner’s language for your training. Most of the aforementioned languages for desktop app development are also handy for mobile apps too but our top programming language choices for Mobile Applications Development are: Java, Swift (in conjunction with Objective-C), and Kotlin.

Java: is one of the most popular and used languages in the programming world. It is a flexible and dynamic language that is used in developing Android applications for your mobile phone. As of today, Android has over 70% of the total mobile OS market implying that the future is still very much bright for Java. The best place to start with learning Java is by going through Google’s Android Developer Library which is well-documented and has a comprehensive set of learning materials. Another advantage Java has over other mobile app development languages is its cross-platform app development which means it can also handle Apple’s iOS and Windows apps. Java truly rules the mobile app world!

Swift (in conjunction with Objective-C): Swift is a newer language intended to work with Objective-C to build mobile applications for Apple’s iOS. It’s even quickly becoming an accepted language for general purpose programming. Swift is an open-source language meaning: any app developer using a Linux OS can operate on it to develop iOS applications. In simple terms, let say you have say a Windows Computer but you want to build an app for iPhones. You can install a Linux OS on your PC and start developing iOS mobile applications that would run just perfectly using Swift! This feature has made Swift to be increasingly popular among iOS app developers.

Kotlin: is a programming language introduced by JetBrains, the official designer of the most intelligent Java IDE, named IntelliJ IDEA. Kotlin was designed to work with Java as an open-source language which runs on Java Virtual Machine (JVM). In basic terms, Kotlin is like the simplified version of Java with better readability, more improved syntax and most importantly: it is way easier to learn. If you want to start creating Android apps in a few days time then Kotlin is your best bet. It works perfectly on Android Studio which is the most popular desktop application used for building Android mobile apps.

VERDICT : Java is our go-to language here while you can learn Kotlin along with it as you expand your learning into building actual Android mobile applications. Or you can simply go for Swift if you are only interested in becoming a specialized iOS developer as even Java has its own limitations in iOS app development.


FOR SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING :

Well this is a broad and intricate aspect of software development which is not advisable as the starting point for newbie programmers. System programming involves the development of computer programs that allows the hardwares of a computer to interface with the programmer or the user thereby making the entire computing system to function as a single unit. Such software programs affect the functionality of every other softwares when installed or uninstalled. Thinking of diving into systems programming? Then think big like developing an entirely new operating system (OS) or game engines. In order to be a systems programmer, you have to be well skilled in any low-level language of your choice like C++, Rust or Go.

VERDICT : Personally we recommend Go (also known as Golang) for beginner systems programmers.

For our recommendation on other Software development sectors like Desktop Application Development, AI and Machine, or for those who are still yet to decide on which sector to specialize in you can visit http://www.gorablog.com/best_programming_language_to_learn.html for the full article.

source: http://www.gorablog.com/best_programming_language_to_learn.html

for a serious learner, what is the time frame you that person can be fully equipped with this programming languages? the frontend to be precise. thank you.

Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Kingfahd001: 3:26pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:
You can drop your comments on whichever recommendation(/s) you find faulty or "not-the-best"'


Air your views make we trash this thing out9 cool

boss, what do you think is the time frame for a serious learner to learn the frontend languages?
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by CSTRR: 3:26pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:


Just don't allow your motivation to be derailed. If you want some side money while learning programming then you can try freelancing while at it or read the article about the subject matter via the blog in my signature.

GRACIAS
Cool.
It is not easy staying motivated.

I just went to your site and inspected your page source to learn a thing or two from your codes.

It is become a habit nowadays. grin
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Nobody: 3:28pm On Jan 15, 2021
Just started my AWS journey
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Csami(m): 3:30pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:


Thanks for the insight boss. Do you work as a freelancer or a full time developer?

I work as a freelancer.
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by yanabasee1(m): 3:38pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:


While I was a newbie programmer myself, I dabbled into almost every aspect of software development: mobile app (learnt Kotlin a bit using Android Studio), web development (struggled with PHP at first) then AI/Machine learning (with Python)'

That's the mistake most newbies find themselves in: trying to learn everything instead of picking just one aspect and aspiring to master it. Well I finally passed my "Tutorial hell" stage and stuck with Python.

Now I do virtually everything with python from Web designing (Django) to AI and Data Science.

Your Kotlin pick for Android mobile app development makes sense to me.
How far have you gone? Have you finished any of your projects yet?


Please, how can I learn python....



I started learning programming with freecodecamp and it started me with htlm5 basics...


I am afraid that I'll not be able to do any project with it as I need a language that I can major just like python....


I have keen interest for python and JS...


I need your guide on this...

probably, I'd like to chat you up.
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by dontro(m): 3:39pm On Jan 15, 2021
The best programming language to learn is the one that can get you jobs easily (unless you ain't interested in job).

@op, PHP is not like HTML, please. HTML is not even a programming language.

My recommended languages/techs for newbies to start with:

Web, frontend: HTML, CSS and JavaScript (all the 3)
Web, backend: JavaScript or PHP
Mobile: React Native or Flutter

Thank you
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by austinceasar(m): 3:42pm On Jan 15, 2021
Which project can a beginner build with JavaScript so as to learn fast?...
I've actually gone some distance on freecodecamp.org(3months now)but I do get lost, tired and confused.
And besides I be pharmacy student and if school resume now, nah die I dey...cus man go need loose guard on programming front and frustration fit set in, if man dey siddon for all this 8 to 6 lecture hrs without alternative source of cash.
Etinosa1234:


Try building projects... When I was learning Android... I didn't understand but while building I began to understand some concepts

1 Like

Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Nobody: 3:43pm On Jan 15, 2021
yanabasee1:



Please, how can I learn python....



I started learning programming with freecodecamp and it started me with htlm5 basics...


I am afraid that I'll not be able to do any project with it as I need a language that I can major just like python....


I have keen interest for python and JS...


I need your guide on this...

probably, I'd like to chat you up.


Your interest is a good starting point boss. I guess you wanna major in full stack web development? If my guess is right then keep learning your HTML (try using YouTube and free courses via Udemy) then you can pick CSS before JavaScript.

Feel free to send me a text on whastapp though
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Nobody: 3:44pm On Jan 15, 2021
Csami:


I work as a freelancer.

Same here. More gigs come our way this year!
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by yanabasee1(m): 3:46pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:



Your interest is a good starting point boss. I guess you wanna major in full stack web development? If my guess is right then keep learning your HTML (try using YouTube and free courses via Udemy) then you can pick CSS before JavaScript.

Feel free to send me a text on whastapp though



To be a full stack isn't gonna be easy as I am not going to be very chance to give it full attention...

But out of the love I have for it... I am more interested in ethical hacking and AI...
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Nobody: 3:47pm On Jan 15, 2021
Kingfahd001:


boss, what do you think is the time frame for a serious learner to learn the frontend languages?

One month (minimum length IMO to master the basics and some advance features). It can take you up to three months though so don't panic cos it all depends on your ease of learning and allotted learning hours plus the motivation factor.
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Nobody: 3:51pm On Jan 15, 2021
yanabasee1:




To be a full stack isn't gonna be easy as I am not going to be very chance to give it full attention...

But out of the love I have for it... I am more interested in ethical hacking and AI...

I ain't well grounded in cyber Security and ethical hacking sectors but for AI I will always recommend Python as a start.

Start from the "Mosh Hamedani python tutorial video" mentioned in the full article. Just search for it on YouTube, it's about 6hours long and around 600mb in file size (720mp) for download.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by jikins(m): 3:52pm On Jan 15, 2021
remi1444:
None save for HTML and CSS.
oh alright I am looking for beginners like myself so we can collaborate and build stuffs together. Working alone isn't really cool
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by lekki1444: 3:54pm On Jan 15, 2021
BigDawsNet:


That makes the human being function

Or function like a human?


Both
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Nobody: 3:58pm On Jan 15, 2021
dontro:
The best programming language to learn is the one that can get you jobs easily (unless you ain't interested in job).

@op, PHP is not like HTML, please. HTML is not even a programming language.

My recommended languages/techs for newbies to start with:

Web, frontend: HTML, CSS and JavaScript (all the 3)
Web, backend: JavaScript or PHP
Mobile: React Native or Flutter

Thank you

How I totally missed Flutter while writing my article came as I shock to me too. I will edit my blog post later and correct that anomaly.

PS: I never intended to compare PHP with HTML (everyone knows its only a mark-up language), I instead meant to compare the ease of learning and scripting function.

Thanks for airing your recommendations mister

1 Like

Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by jikins(m): 4:03pm On Jan 15, 2021
CSTRR:

I love python. It is cool.

But I am starting from the very basics.
Front end then to back end.
HTML, CSS, BOOTSRAP, JAVASCRIPT, REACTJS, python and then to postgres and other data management areas.

That is the path I want to follow to become a full stack developer.

What stage are you currently
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by austinceasar(m): 4:05pm On Jan 15, 2021
Uhmmm. It is well bro
Keep pushing,
Nah that ur beat making skills u for just perfect(lol)cheesy...make I pitch my songwriting skills for your tent. E no easy but day still young to quit hardwork and smartwork . stay bless
Chinedu1994:
I have a ton of tutorials on Web development and Python, I learnt these to an extent but I lost interest.
I am a fvcking computer science student.

Maybe if school resumes, I will get back at it though.
It's boring and tiring when you learn alone. I haven't written a code in months. My computer is now for watching movies. I am tired of this world and it's problems sef.

There's nothing I haven't dabbled in.
I have tried beat making. I currently have a beat making software on my computer, but I don't learn it anymore.

I have Android studio installed, but I don't learn with it anymore.

I have pycharm installed, but I don't use it anymore.

I have C++ compiler installed, but I don't learn with it anymore.

I have blender installed, but I don't learn animation making anymore.


I have eclipse installed, but I haven't opened it for months.

Then I created 5 blogs, but I lost interest.

I AM TIRED!
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by MT: 4:07pm On Jan 15, 2021
Why will a c# developer learn JavaScript framework like react, Vue etc when we have balazor server and web assembly, which is fast revolutionising the SPA landscape.

1 Like

Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by jikins(m): 4:07pm On Jan 15, 2021
youngmoneyeze:
am in react js and redux now after have done will that am going to node js and mongo db

Seems we are both using freecodecamp
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by jikins(m): 4:09pm On Jan 15, 2021
austinceasar:
Which project can a beginner build with JavaScript so as to learn fast?...
I've actually gone some distance on freecodecamp.org(3months now)but I do get lost, tired and confused.
And besides I be pharmacy student and if school resume now, nah die I dey...cus man go need loose guard on programming front and frustration fit set in, if man dey siddon for all this 8 to 6 lecture hrs without alternative source of cash.

Lol we gather dey. Where did you stop in freecodecamp
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by BigDawsNet: 4:10pm On Jan 15, 2021
lekki1444:
Both



How do you intend to make a potential system that make the human function?
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Karleb(m): 4:11pm On Jan 15, 2021
Csami:


I find what you said about PHP faulty. It is guys like you that discourage a lot of folks not to learn it. Talking about how PHP is fading and relatively easy like HTML which is faraway from the truth.
As long as website remains, PHP isn't going nowhere.

Here's a survey for you to stop that blasphemy against PHP

Bros, may all the gods bless you.

PHP is another name for web.

This non-php web developers just like tilting the truth towards their language.
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Csami(m): 4:16pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:


Same here. More gigs come our way this year!

Amen!
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Karleb(m): 4:16pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:


I accept my own bluff. Maybe my inclination to Python/JavaScript combo made me talk down on PHP. I never really took much time to learn the language
but I still feel majority of the newer web developers are going to be limiting PHP in the future for JavaScript (with Node.js the major trend now), Python (Django is just too quick and fast to build web applications with).

Don't get me wrong, I know PHP is very much handy right now but its future looks bleak especially for generally back-end web development.


How did you know these?

Do you have data to back it up?

If we're talking about feelings here, I'd say I feel you are saying this because you are not a PHP developer.
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Kabu01: 4:20pm On Jan 15, 2021
Rgade:

The basics.
I'd recommend you download the sololearn app on play store or use w3schools.com, you can as well use both concurrently, this is to get grounded in the fundamentals.
Then download this popular Ebook "Eloquent JavaScript"..
Then YouTube to clear up grey areas.

Thanks
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by austinceasar(m): 4:23pm On Jan 15, 2021
Lol...I dey shuffle between ES6 and regular expression tutorials. Nah one thing to dey learn, another thing to apply wetin person dey learn..so I dey reason go project way..code simple calculator and timer first before I proceed. E must end in cash and joy las las.
jikins:


Lol we gather dey. Where did you stop in freecodecamp
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by Karleb(m): 4:24pm On Jan 15, 2021
GoddyOra:


How I totally missed Flutter while writing my article came as I shock to me too. I will edit my blog post later and correct that anomaly.

PS: I never intended to compare PHP with HTML (everyone knows its only a mark-up language), I instead meant to compare the ease of learning and scripting function.

Thanks for airing your recommendations mister


One more question?

How did you conclude PHP is easy to write or learn?
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by tensazangetsu20(m): 4:25pm On Jan 15, 2021
Karleb:


How did you know these?

Do you have data to back it up?

If we're talking about feelings here, I'd say I feel you are saying this because you are not a PHP developer.
What many don't understand is that a company that has spent millions of naira building their backend Infrastructure on PHP can't just switch to something like Node. Business platforms that were built on COBOL still exists on COBOL. I can tell you that today alone in Nigeria more wordpress sites have gone life than Nodejs sites. The whole Nigeria how many websites are powered by node?
Re: Best Programming Language To Learn This 2021: The Beginner's Guide by NarnieAceTech: 4:29pm On Jan 15, 2021
Csami:


You don't code wordpress themes

Since you develop WordPress themes with php, how come you don't code them? Am I missing something here?

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