How to Choose A First Programming Language

Summary

The script discusses the challenge of choosing the first programming language to learn, emphasizing that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. It suggests considering the user's environment and goals, such as developing a WordPress site with PHP or working with Ruby at Shopify. The key takeaway is that learning the fundamentals in any language makes picking up subsequent languages easier, encouraging beginners to start with PHP as an example.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The choice of the first programming language to learn is a significant decision that can be influenced by various factors.
• 📊 Usage statistics and developer satisfaction reviews can be considered when choosing a programming language, but they are not definitive answers.
• 🌐 There is no universally correct programming language to learn, similar to spoken languages, it depends on the individual's environment and needs.
• 🛠 If the goal is to work with platforms like WordPress or WooCommerce, PHP might be a natural choice.
• 💼 Having a mentor or friend who can guide you in a specific language, like Ruby for Shopify, can influence your language choice.
• 🔑 The importance of the fundamentals of programming is emphasized, suggesting that the initial language choice is less critical.
• 🔄 Learning one programming language makes it easier to learn subsequent languages due to the transferability of programming concepts.
• 📚 The script implies that the focus should be on learning the basics rather than getting caught up in the choice of the first language.
• 🚀 The speaker encourages learning PHP, suggesting it as a good starting point for beginners interested in web development.
• 🌟 The transcript highlights the idea that once you've grasped the fundamentals in one language, the next one becomes significantly easier to learn.
• 💡 The overall message is that the choice of the first programming language is situational and should be based on personal goals, environment, and available resources.

Q & A

Why is it difficult to choose the first programming language to learn?

Choosing the first programming language can be challenging due to the multitude of options available and the lack of expertise to differentiate between them.

What factors can influence the choice of the first programming language to learn?

Factors such as the specific development environment you're interested in, like WordPress or Shopify, or personal connections with developers who can guide you in a particular language, can influence your choice.

What is the significance of usage stats or developer happiness reviews in choosing a programming language?

Usage stats and developer happiness reviews can provide insights into the popularity and satisfaction of developers with a language, but they are not the only or definitive factors in making a choice.

Is there a 'correct' programming language to learn as a beginner?

No, there is no one 'correct' programming language to learn as a beginner. The choice depends on various personal and environmental factors.

Why is PHP recommended for those interested in WordPress development?

PHP is recommended for WordPress development because WordPress is built on PHP, making it the primary language for creating and managing WordPress sites.

How does having a friend who works at Shopify influence your choice of programming language?

If you have a friend who works at Shopify and they offer to show you the ropes, you are likely to work with Ruby, as Shopify's primary back-end language is Ruby.

What is the importance of learning the fundamentals of programming regardless of the language chosen?

Learning the fundamentals of programming is important because it provides a solid base that can be applied across different languages, making it easier to learn additional languages in the future.

How do programming concepts transfer between different languages once you've learned one?

Programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, and functions are universal and transferable, making it significantly easier to pick up a new language once you've learned one.

What does the speaker suggest as the initial approach to learning programming?

The speaker suggests focusing on learning the fundamentals of programming in any language, emphasizing that the specific language chosen at the beginning is less important.

Why is it said that the next programming language is easier to pick up after learning the first one?

After learning the first programming language, you become familiar with programming concepts and paradigms, which makes learning subsequent languages easier due to the transfer of knowledge.

What programming language does the speaker decide to learn and why?

The speaker decides to learn PHP, likely because it is a popular language for web development and the speaker wants to demonstrate its learning process in the context of the discussion.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Choosing Your First Programming Language

The script discusses the dilemma of selecting the first programming language to learn, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It suggests that the choice can be influenced by the environment or opportunities available to the learner, such as using PHP for WordPress or Ruby for Shopify. The paragraph highlights that the fundamentals of programming are transferable, and learning one language makes learning others easier. It concludes by encouraging the learner to start with PHP as an example.

Keywords

💡Programming Language

A programming language is a formal language designed to communicate instructions to a computer. It is the fundamental tool used by programmers to create software. In the video's context, the choice of a first programming language is discussed as a significant decision for new learners, with PHP, Ruby, JavaScript, and Python mentioned as examples. The script suggests that the choice depends on the learner's environment and goals, rather than a universal 'best' language.

💡PHP

PHP, which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, is a widely-used open-source scripting language that is especially suited for web development. It is highlighted in the script as a potential first language to learn if one is interested in creating WordPress sites or other web applications that require server-side scripting.

💡Ruby

Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, object-oriented programming language that is known for its simplicity and readability. The script mentions Ruby as an alternative to PHP, suggesting that if someone has a friend working with Shopify, they might learn Ruby, as it is the language used in that platform.

💡JavaScript

JavaScript is a high-level, interpreted scripting language that is primarily used for enhancing web pages with interactive elements. Although not discussed in detail in the script, it is implied as another option for a first programming language, given its prevalence in web development.

💡Python

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language known for its readability and ease of learning. The script briefly mentions Python as one of the possible languages to learn, emphasizing that the choice of language depends on the learner's specific interests and environment.

💡Usage Stats

Usage stats refer to the data that reflects how often and in what contexts a programming language is used. The script suggests looking at usage stats as one way to help decide which programming language to learn first, though it also acknowledges that this is not the only factor.

💡Developer Happiness Reviews

Developer happiness reviews are subjective assessments of how enjoyable or satisfying a programming language is to work with. The script mentions these reviews as another method to gauge language popularity or suitability, but notes that personal preference and environment are more decisive.

💡Fundamentals of Programming

The fundamentals of programming encompass the basic concepts, principles, and techniques that form the foundation of computer programming. The script emphasizes that regardless of the first language chosen, learning these fundamentals is crucial, as they are transferable across different languages.

💡Concepts Cross Over

The idea that concepts cross over means that once a programmer understands the basic principles of one programming language, they can more easily learn another language. The script uses this concept to reassure viewers that the choice of the first language is less critical than understanding the underlying principles.

💡Learning Curve

The learning curve refers to the progression of difficulty and time required to learn a new skill or subject. The script implies that once a programmer has learned one language, the learning curve for subsequent languages is significantly less steep due to the transfer of knowledge.

💡WordPress

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) used for building websites and blogs. The script mentions WordPress as a context where PHP might be the preferred first language to learn, given its integration with this platform.

💡Shopify

Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows users to set up online stores. In the script, Shopify is used as an example of a specific environment where Ruby might be the preferred language to learn, especially if someone has connections in that industry.

Highlights

Choosing the first programming language is a significant decision that can be influenced by various factors.

There is no one correct programming language to learn; it depends on the individual's environment and goals.

Usage stats and developer happiness reviews can be considered when choosing a programming language.

Learning PHP might be beneficial for those interested in WordPress or a layerable shop.

Ruby could be a preferred choice if someone has connections in the Shopify ecosystem.

The choice of programming language does not significantly impact learning the fundamentals of programming.

Concepts learned in one programming language are transferable to others, making the next language easier to learn.

Learning PHP is a good starting point for those new to programming.

The importance of making an informed decision when choosing a programming language based on personal goals and environment.

The value of understanding that different programming languages serve different purposes and use cases.

The notion that learning one programming language can significantly ease the learning process of subsequent languages.

The idea that the initial programming language choice is less about the language itself and more about the learning journey.

The suggestion that personal connections and opportunities in the tech industry can influence language choice.

The encouragement to start learning programming with an open mind, regardless of the initial language choice.

The emphasis on the adaptability of programming concepts across different languages.

The reassurance that the initial language choice will not hinder the ability to learn and understand programming fundamentals.

Transcripts

how exactly do you choose the first

programming language to learn why PHP

and not Ruby or JavaScript or python I

mean how can you be expected to make

such a large decision without having the

expertise to differentiate between all

of the available choices it's a good

question now we could look at usage

stats or developer happiness reviews but

the truth is it largely depends on your

environments there's no one correct

answer just as there's no correct spoken

language to learn it just depends

now if you're hoping to in turn add a

WordPress or a layerable shop then

you're surely going to one PHP on the

other hand you might have a friend who

works at Shopify who is offered to show

you the ropes in that case you'll likely

be working with Ruby and that's cool too

the point is it doesn't really matter

right now you're interested in the

fundamentals of programming whether you

choose PHP or Ruby or something else it

doesn't really matter you'll be happy to

hear that these Concepts cross over and

once you've learned one language the

next one is significantly easier to pick

up

with that in mind let's learn some PHP