Yet again we are at the beginning of a new year and everyone has those new year’s resolutions and the so-called reset. The beginning of something new. And so does the tech world. There will be a sea of new content talking about what programming languages you should learn this year.
Here is the answer: None! -So this is it, the article is done here,… but we can talk about this in more detail.
How to find the programming language you need?
If you are looking for content in a way “what to learn” you already started wrong. The real question you should be asking yourself is “what is my goal?” or “what do I want to build?”.
Because this is what matters when you are looking at what you should learn. My advice is, first look at the fundamentals and concepts in your field so you have a good understanding of how things work and then overlay that with the programming language you need to express and build your project.
Yes, you can learn basics either way, but let’s look at some examples.
Python in general is a good choice. It’s simple so you can get the grasp quickly, it’s interpreted so no compiling is needed, and it is used quite widely. But let’s say your goal is to go the web development way.
Of Course you can use python in web development, but let’s be realistic, it’s not the best option for multiple reasons. Usually you will decide whether you are interested in frontend or backend, or in a bit more rare cases just pick both. There are more logical choices in web development.
I would suggest JavaScript(besides the basics of html and css) since it’s the most neutral, but don’t immediately run towards frameworks. Learn JavaScript and learn it well, then picking up a framework will be just like going grocery shopping. And there is no “best” framework, there is only personal preference.
You can check some of my thoughts on this matter in my other article which I will link at the end of this article.
As for backend there are quite a few choices, be it PHP, .NET, GO, Java, even JavaScript (iykwim).
And before some whiners get too salty, yes PHP is still and will remain for a long time a good backend choice — if you are bashing it, that is your choice, and a terrible one. Learn how the web works. The logic behind a web server and requests. Then augment that knowledge with the language of your choice. Every language is good once you learn it in and out and use it well to its full potential.
What if I don’t want to be a web developer?
Similar logic transfers to other fields. If your goal is mobile development, then your first choice shouldn’t be python, just because someone recommended it, and it’s like that with every field. Get to know the field you want to work in and decide after that.
Should you look at job listings to decide?
Some look at the amount of open jobs in an area to decide on what’s good to learn. And I think in the long run that is kinda terrible.
There are multiple variables you should take into account. If something is widely used then there is a chance there are more developers and so more competition. Let’s take android vs ios for example. You would probably have way more competition in the android sphere, not only from the percentage of adoption but also because the ios ecosystem has a higher entry barrier in terms of initial cost.
My ultimate advice!
Keep learning what makes you feel happy and comfortable and don’t rush it. Have a goal and complete it. Since that is a quality of a good developer — get the job done.
So happy learning in 2022 and see you in the next article, bye!
