What is the First Programming Language a Beginner Should Learn?

Are you just starting to learn to program, and wondering what’s the first programming language you should learn?

I will answer exactly that in this post.

Before I began, let me ask you a question.

Why do you want to learn to program?

• Do you want to build Web Applications?
• Do you want to build fancy Web Features?
• Do you want to build Websites?
• Do you want to have your own startup?
• Do you want to become a Front-End, Back-End or Full-Stack Developer?

If your answer is yes to any of the questions above, then you should learn JavaScript.

If you do not have any prior programming experience, then start off by learning the fundamentals of HTML and CSS and build a blog from scratch…

Here is the link to the World's best HTML and CSS Video Course Training, and it happens to be free, enjoy

Note: JavaScript is not Java.

Java is to JavaScript as Car is to Carpet

The word “car” and “carpet” both have the word “car” in it, but it doesn’t make it the same thing.

Similarly, Java and JavaScript are two different languages, they just happen to share a similar name.

JavaScript is the language of the web and is used to create web applications. Many JavaScript Developers use JavaScript libraries like Angular and React to speed up their development.

You can also use JavaScript for Back-End web development through the Node.js runtime.

JavaScript is easy to learn

JavaScript has a straightforward syntax (if understood correctly) that is highly logical to grasp. It has fewer components that make up the language, that means faster learning.

JavaScript is a very flexible language, and although it has fewer components, less is more in this case.

Other languages have a certain computer requirement. After those requirements are met, certain software must be installed. Once you have done all the setup, you can finally start writing code.

That's not the case with JavaScript.

You can start writing your first line of code in Notepad if you wish, and it will work, although I recommend using a Text Editor like Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code, Atom, etc.

A lot of people say Python and Ruby are very easy. True, Ruby and Python have simpler syntax. This is why people recommend beginners to start with these languages. That is fine if your goal is just to learn to program. You can pick any language you want.

But if your goal is to build meaningful web and mobile apps, then JavaScript should be your first and last choice as your first programming language.

BTW, you can get comfortable with the syntax in a week.

JavaScript doesn’t only work for the web, it works for mobile, it works for TV, it works for Kiosk, it works for every device. Period.

Due to this versatility, JavaScript has the most diverse use-cases. This means that more problems can be solved.

JavaScript is the Most Popular Programming Language

If you want to build anything for the web, you need to have JavaScript in your technology stack.

Today JavaScript the #1 programming language
Stack Overflow Survey 2018

71.5% of respondents use JavaScript as their main programing language.

Even more, JavaScript is the fastest growing programming language 6-years in a row.

Even The RedMonk Programming Language Rankings: January 2016 also shows that JavaScript is the most popular programming language.

Image Source

Here's the visual depiction of the historical programming language rankings

JavaScript is powerful

Here are some of the ways companies are using JavaScript

• United Airlines built its new Customer Checkin Kiosk app with JavaScript
• Trello made a project management app with JavaScript
• Geekli.st made a social media platform like Facebook with JavaScript
• Ghost is a blogging platform built with JavaScript
• Netflix TV App is built with JavaScript
• Facebook Mobile App, and now the Facebook.com app is built with JavaScript
• Paypal migrated their back-end systems from another programming language to JavaScript.

Since 99% of all top websites use JavaScript, there are countless examples of how and where javascript is used.

Once you've made up your mind to learn JavaScript as your first programming language, Join iLoveCoding. iLoveCoding is the simplest, most effective path to front-end & full-stack development.

You can check out the full iLoveCoding curriculum here

If you have any question, feel free to leave your comments below. I'll talk to you in the comments.