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Entering the world of programming can be overwhelming at first, especially with the multitude of top programming languages available for beginners. If you're at the beginning of your journey of discovery in software development, you may be wondering which language to start with. Even though the choice is vast, we're here to help you get started.
In this blog post, we'll introduce you to five programming languages that are particularly beginner-friendly and open doors to exciting areas of technology, from web development to software creation for large systems. What's more, we'll not only highlight what makes each language stand out, but also explain why they're ideal for getting started.
However, it is important to understand that the choice of programming language is not the only decisive factor in the long term. Rather, it is about mastering the craft of software development. This includes understanding algorithms, data structures, patterns, best practices and the ability to develop solutions to problems. In this sense, the language is an important tool for implementing these skills.
Are you ready to learn the basics that will form your foundation for future challenging projects? Then let's get started! We have our top 5 programming languages for beginners.
Python was developed by Guido van Rossum in the Netherlands in the late 1980s and first published in 1991. Van Rossum designed Python as a simple but powerful language that would fill the gaps of other languages. His main goal was to improve the readability of code and the efficiency of software development by using a clear and logical syntax.
Simplicity: Python has a very simple and clear syntax that makes reading and writing code easier. It avoids complicated brackets and relies on indentation, which makes the code very easy to read.
Broad application: Python is used in many areas such as web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence and more. This gives beginners the flexibility to explore different areas of interest.
Strong community and resources: Python enjoys massive support from an active community. There are numerous free resources, tutorials and forums to help beginners learn.
Speed: Python can be slower than some other languages because it is interpreted. This can be a disadvantage for very computationally intensive applications.
Typing: Python is dynamically typed, which can make development work more difficult for large and complex applications. However, since the introduction of Python 3.5, it has been possible to use explicit type hints. This feature helps developers make code clearer and more maintainable by improving type safety, mitigating some of the challenges of dynamic typing.
Python is great for beginners looking to pursue a career in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, web development and automation. The language is known for its simple syntax, which makes it easy to learn and apply programming concepts. Python's diverse libraries and frameworks open up countless possibilities, while its broad community ensures support and ongoing innovation. This makes Python an excellent choice for those looking for a flexible and future-proof programming language.
JavaScript was developed in 1995 by Brendan Eich while he was working at Netscape Communications. Originally conceived as a simple scripting language for browsers to improve the interactivity of websites, JavaScript has quickly become one of the most widely used languages on the web and, together with HTML and CSS, forms the backbone of modern web applications.
Universality: JavaScript is essential for web development. Every modern website uses JavaScript, making it a fundamental skill for all aspiring web developers.
Flexible application options: In addition to the browser, JavaScript can also be used on the server (Node.js), making it a versatile language that can be used anywhere in the web ecosystem.
Interactive learning: JavaScript is particularly effective when it comes to quickly visualizing results, especially when combined with HTML and CSS. This ability allows beginners to create interactive web pages, making learning motivating and satisfying. While simple output can also be created quickly from the command line in other programming languages such as Java or Python, the integration of JavaScript with web technologies enables an immediately visible and interactive user experience in the browser.
Security problems: JavaScript is more secure today than it used to be thanks to its widespread use and execution within a sandbox in the browser. Nevertheless, the extensive ecosystem of third-party packages brings its own risks. Originally developed quickly, JavaScript required many extensions from external packages, which increases the risk of inadvertently introducing malicious code. It is therefore important to check carefully and follow security best practices when using third-party solutions.
Complexity: JavaScripts' dynamic nature and the variety of frameworks available offer flexibility and numerous ways to solve problems, but can also quickly lead to confusion. This flexibility means that there are often many ways to solve a problem, which can make it difficult to choose the best solution. At the same time, without careful planning and understanding, this freedom can easily lead to fundamental errors in projects.
JavaScript is ideal for anyone who wants to focus on web development and mobile applications. As the language of the Internet, JavaScript enables the development of dynamic and interactive user interfaces. With technologies such as Node.js, JavaScript is also expanding its scope to server-side programming. The strong demand for JavaScript skills in almost all digital projects as well as the extensive community and wide range of frameworks make it an indispensable skill in the tech industry.
Ruby was created in 1995 by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto in Japan. Matsumoto designed Ruby with the aim of developing a balanced, flexible language that is both functional and imperative. Ruby places great emphasis on developer satisfaction and human-centered software development.
Focus on human readability: Ruby was developed with the aim of being as natural and easy-to-understand a language as possible. This makes it easier for newcomers to get started and understand program logic.
Ruby on Rails: Ruby's most popular framework, Rails, allows beginners to quickly create professional-looking web applications. This leads to a quick sense of achievement and a deeper understanding of web development.
Helpful community: Ruby has a very friendly and welcoming community. New developers quickly find support and resources.
Runtime speed: Ruby is known for its slower execution times compared to other backend languages.
Less flexible: Ruby is mainly geared towards web development, which limits its areas of application somewhat.
Ruby, especially through the Ruby on Rails framework, is a fantastic option for beginners who want to quickly dive into the world of web development. Ruby places great emphasis on developer friendliness and productivity, making it easier to write clean code and develop applications efficiently. The friendly and welcoming Ruby community provides an excellent learning environment and makes the language ideal for those who value a supportive community.
Go was developed by Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike and Ken Thompson at Google in 2007 and publicly launched in 2009. The developers aimed to create a language that combined the efficiency of compiled languages such as C and C++ with the readability and simplicity of dynamic languages such as Python. Go was designed specifically for systems that require high performance and parallel processing, and has quickly established itself as a preferred language for developing network services and distributed systems. Go is the language of choice for developers and human-centered software development.
Easy to learn: Go has a very clear and simple syntax that makes it easy for new programmers to learn the language and write efficient code.
Strong standard library: Go offers an extensive standard library that covers many frequently required functions. This reduces the need to use external packages and makes program development easier.
Built-in concurrency: Go is designed with built-in support for concurrency. Its Go routines and channels allow developers to easily implement robust and fast parallel systems.
Garbage collection: While Go offers automatic memory management, garbage collection can lead to unpredictable pauses, which can be problematic in critical real-time systems.
Genericity: Until the recent introduction of generics in Go 1.18, the language lacked this important feature that is available in many other modern programming languages. This could limit the reusability of code and was often a point of criticism when using Go for certain applications.
Go is particularly suitable for those who want to get into areas such as cloud services, DevOps and server backends. The language encourages good programming practices and is also predestined for high-performance applications due to its compilation and efficient execution. Its growing popularity and strong support from an active community make Go an excellent choice for beginners looking for a career in software development.
Java was developed in the early 1990s by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems (now part of Oracle). It was officially released in 1995 and was originally designed to simplify the programming of devices running on networks. Java was one of the first programming languages to introduce the concept of platform independence through the use of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Widespread use and versatility: Java is used by large companies worldwide and is known for its robustness, security and portability.
Strong typing: Java is strongly typed, which means that many common sources of error are avoided by the language structure itself. This helps beginners to write clean and error-free code.
Extensive learning resources: Due to its long history and popularity, there are numerous learning materials, courses and community support to help you learn Java.
Complexity: For absolute beginners, Java can be a challenge due to its strict syntax and complex environment (such as memory management and the use of JVM).
Legacy code: Due to its long history of use, Java is often burdened by older code, which delays the introduction of modern features.
Performance: Running via the JVM has put Java at a disadvantage in specific use cases such as microservices and serverless functions, although recent improvements have addressed some of these issues. These factors combined can make learning Java difficult, especially when compared to modern programming paradigms and environments.
Java is particularly suitable for those who want to work on large, robust application systems that are common in enterprise environments. Java's platform independence, comprehensive API and strong community support make it a reliable choice for complex application development. With its long history in the tech industry and ongoing updates from Oracle, Java is a safe choice for developers looking for longevity and stability in their programming careers.
Each of the top programming languages for beginners presented here offers unique advantages and entry points to help you immerse yourself in the world of software development. Whether you choose Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Go or Java, each language has the potential to give you a solid foundation and open doors to exciting career opportunities.
We hope you enjoy trying out these languages! Ultimately, it's important that you gain your own experience to understand what works best for you. Practice will not only help you hone your skills, but will also give you insights into which language best suits your goals and working style. So start your adventure, experiment and discover the joys of programming!
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